Causes of Schistosomiasis

Nights were a particular torment, and nothing but steroids seemed to help. What could be causing this? The itch always felt worse at night. The 68-year-old woman willed herself to lie still and not give in to the urge to scrape her skin from her body. She often wore thick cotton gloves to protect herself from her own nails. And it helped — until she tore the gloves off to scratch the itch that tortured her arms, her belly, her legs and especially her feet. She shifted restlessly on the foldout sofa where she now slept to spare her husband her incessant movement. Her nights were divided into long hours of lying on the lumpy sofa trying not to scratch, losing that battle and then occasionally falling asleep for a few minutes when exhaustion finally won. She hated seeing the raised red blotches marked with bloody scratches each morning. The rash started out of the blue one morning four months earlier. She had an itch on her stomach and was scratching it mindlessly as she slowly woke up. S

Triamcinolone acetonide is a prescription medication. Doctors may prescribe it to relieve redness, swelling, and discomfort associated with various skin conditions, including eczema. Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become irritated, itchy, red, flaky, and bumpy. A combination of environmental factors and genetics may cause the condition. Approximately 31.6 million people in the United States have some form of eczema. There is currently no cure for eczema, but a doctor can suggest treatments depending on the type of eczema and severity. In moderate to severe eczema, a dermatologist may provide prescription medications such as triamcinolone. This article discusses triamcinolone acetonide cream and its benefits for eczema. It also explores possible side effects and how to use the cream. Triamcinolone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in 1957. Doctors have used it to treat various inflammatory, allergic, and autoimmune cond

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Lymphangitis is an infection or inflammation of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a crucial part of the immune system. It is designed to collect fluids from cells and tissues in the body and help them re-enter the bloodstream. The organs within the lymphatic system, such as the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, tonsils, and lymphatic vessels, help to create and store lymphocytes , which are white blood cells that play a role in immunity. The system also aids in sending the white blood cells where they need to go in the body to fight off infection. When an infection infiltrates the lymphatic system, lymphangitis develops and can cause a host of different symptoms. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatments of lymphangitis. FatCamera / Getty Images Symptoms of Lymphangitis When someone develops lymphangitis, they can experience a variety of different symptoms, including: Enlarged lymph nodes, typicall

Helminth therapy, also known as helminthic therapy, is an experimental therapy in which people intentionally infect themselves with live helminth parasites. As helminths can alter a person's immune response, some people believe that helminthic therapy may, one day, help doctors treat some autoimmune and allergic diseases. Currently, doctors in the United States cannot prescribe helminth therapy as a treatment. However, researchers can test certain types of worms in humans to explore whether they have the potential to treat certain conditions. This article looks at the theory behind helminth therapy and the diseases that it could potentially treat. It also discusses what the current scientific research has to say about the effectiveness and safety of helminth therapy. Helminth therapy is the deliberate introduction of helminth parasites to the body to help treat a health condition. Helminths are a large group of worm-like parasites, which include: As a 2018 article explains, helmin

A media briefing from experts from the Infectious Diseases Society of America to discuss recently issued practice guidelines on Paxlovid and interactions with other commonly prescribed medications. - Paxlovid and drug interactions – common misunderstandings - Current availability - Improving equity, access, and infrastructure - Questions from media FEATURING: Jason C. Gallagher, PharmD, FCCP, FIDP, FIDSA, BCPS—Philadelphia, PA Member—IDSA COVID-19 Treatment and Management Guidelines Expert Panel Clinical Professor, Temple University Clinical Specialist, Infectious Diseases, Temple University Director, PGY2 Residency in Infectious Diseases Pharmacy, Temple University Melanie Thompson, MD –Atlanta, GA Co-chair—HIVMA/IDSA HIV Primary Care Guidance Panel Past Chair—HIVMA Member, HHS Antiretroviral Guidelines Panel, IAS-USA Antiretroviral Guidelines Panel Past Principal Investigator, AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta Chris Busky, CAE (Moderator) Chief Executive Officer—Infectious

Scabies is a parasitic skin infection caused by mites, specifically Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis . The mites burrow beneath the skin, triggering intense, unyielding itching and sometimes a rash. Worldwide, 200 million people are estimated to be experiencing scabies at any given moment. When it comes to scabies, early identification and treatment are imperative to help resolve and prevent the condition from spreading to others. Learn more about scabies bites, how to confirm infection, treatment, and when to see your healthcare provider. Diy13 / Getty Images What Do Scabies Bites Look Like? Scabies bites (burrows) are often undetectable because of scratching, crusting, or a secondary infection. However, there are still several signs that a rash or itching results from scabies. Scabies bites may appear as bumpy skin or small pimples, which can be red or purple. Sometimes pus may be present. How to Identify Scabies Bites Because scab