Vasculitis is a group of inflammatory disorders that affect the blood vessels. Vasculitis can affect both small or large arteries. This includes major blood vessels like the aorta, as well as capillaries, medium-sized veins. Or it can include a combination of different sized blood vessels. In some cases, vasculitis causes only a portion of an…
Before you venture outdoors this summer, be sure to protect yourself against ticks. Due to recent unusually warm winters in the U.S., which allowed insects to better survive, tick populations are up — and so is the risk of contracting a nasty tick-borne illness. In addition to the usual suspects, like Lyme disease, a rarer…
Using hand sanitizers like they're going out of style (unfortunately, they're not) and popping antibiotics at the very first sign of an illness. Yes, without knowing it, many people practice antibacterial overkill. Although the dangers of antibiotics are becoming more known today, many people remain confused or misinformed about when and when not to take prescription…
If you haven't had the pleasure of eating tacos with pickled red onions, you need to try some right away. These little veggies pack a huge flavor punch, turning a run-of-the-mill taco into something sweet, salty and thoroughly delicious. Usually, pickling can take days, if not weeks. But what if I told you that it's easy to…
If you are a big fan of beets, you've probably already tried and love pickled beets. What if you're someone that normally doesn't enjoy the taste of beets? I would highly recommend trying this root vegetable in pickled form. First off, pickled beets are not eaten hot. They also spend time bathing in vinegar and salt —…
Before we talk about the specifics of ringworm treatment, I want to clear up one of the top ringworm misconceptions — that ringworm is caused by a worm. The truth is that ringworm is not caused by a worm of any kind. What causes ringworm then? Ringworm is a skin rash caused by a fungus. Another…
Like bug bites, spider bites are far from desirable. However, spiders are typically just a nuisance. In fact, most of the time, spider bite treatment can be done in the comfort of your own home using natural remedies. While other times, especially if a more threatening type of spider bit you, spider bites can be…
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, "A rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac usually lasts one to three weeks. Most rashes will go away without treatment." (1) While your rash may heal on its own, it's still likely to be itchy and uncomfortable during the process — sometimes even severely, depending on how allergic you…
Once considered a very severe childhood disease, scarlet fever is now easy to treat, and the prognosis for recovery is excellent. Physical signs include a very red sore throat and scarlet fever rash, a red rash that appears on the neck, under the arms, or in the groin area, which spreads quickly over the rest…
Did you know that the human body has about 600 lymph nodes? All of these small nodes of the lymphatic system work to protect us from illness and damaging, disease-causing inflammation. But sometimes you may notice that your lymph nodes feel swollen, tender and even painful when touched. This condition, called lymphadenitis, is usually a sign…
