Medically reviewed by Danica Alexander, DO Shingles can be scary and also puzzling. What exactly is this famously painful rash, who gets it, and why does it suddenly appear? Is shingles contagious? Who should be vaccinated? If you’re confused, you’re hardly the only one. Read on for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about this viral infection. Some of them may surprise you. What is shingles? Shingles, aka herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. When you get shingles, the same viral particles that gave y ..read more

Medically reviewed by Julie Forero, DO Could you have warts and not even know it? You might if they’re flat warts, known medically as verruca plana. These warts are flatter, smoother and smaller than their uglier, bulbous cousins. If you’ve noticed small, slightly raised growths on your face, hands or other body parts and dismissed them as age spots or stubborn acne, the real culprit may be flat warts. Flat warts aren’t harmful or painful, but you may want to get rid of them for aesthetic reasons. If you suspect you have flat warts on your face, hands, legs or elsewhere, read on to learn why t ..read more

Medically reviewed by Daniel Gutierrez, PA-C A red, itchy rash isn’t just uncomfortable—in some cases, it’s mystifying. For instance, ringworm is one possible cause, but what does ringworm look like? Does it always cause a red circle rash? How can you tell this fungal skin infection apart from common skin rashes, including rashes that look like ringworm but aren’t?  Read on to learn about ringworm symptoms and how the rash is treated.  What are the symptoms of ringworm? The symptoms evolve during different stages of ringworm. In early-stage ringworm, you’ll see a round, flat, irritat ..read more

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Wong, DO Everyone sweats, but sweating beyond normal amounts, known as hyperhidrosis, can be stressful and embarrassing. If it seems like no amount of antiperspirant can keep your armpits dry, or you have a sweaty face or head even when it’s not that hot out and you’re not exercising, you’re probably wondering how to stop excessive sweating. Botox is a hyperhidrosis treatment to consider. Yes, the popular wrinkle treatment can reduce excessive armpit sweating and even sweating from other parts of the body. If you’re curious about Botox for sweating, read on for a ..read more

Medically reviewed by Ted Schiff, MD  You probably never thought you’d have to be on the lookout for leprosy symptoms in the 21st century. But this ancient disease never went away completely, and over the past decade, cases have doubled in the southeastern states. Leprosy in Florida—especially Central Florida—is making headlines. Given the media coverage, you may be wondering, “What does leprosy look like?” and “What causes leprosy?” Leprosy is still very rare in the U.S., including in Florida, and 95% of people are immune to it, so there’s no cause for alarm. Still, understanding what ca ..read more

Medically reviewed by Daniel Gutierrez, PA-C Alopecia areata typically isn’t physically painful, but the emotional effects of this autoimmune disease can be devastating. The main symptom, patchy or complete hair loss, often makes people embarrassed and self-conscious, and it can be challenging to treat. Now there’s a new drug for alopecia areata from Pfizer, approved by the FDA, called Litfulo (ritlecitinib). It’s an oral medication that can help people ages 12 and up with severe alopecia areata regrow hair—and regain confidence. “Litfulo is a game-changer for alopecia areata patients, particu ..read more

Medically reviewed by Keria Tia Bean, APRN Exfoliation can turn dry, dull skin into softer, smoother skin. But how to exfoliate your skin? And how often to exfoliate? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best way to exfoliate your face or body and the best exfoliating products to use depend on your skin type and the condition of your skin. Benefits of skin exfoliation Normally, dead skin cells are shed every 30 days as part of the skin’s natural turnover cycle, but sometimes dead cells refuse to budge, making the skin dry, rough and dull. They can also clog your pores, contributing to acne ..read more

Medically reviewed by Haley Andress, PA-C Chlorinated pools do a good job of drying out your skin because chlorine strips away its natural oils. But if you develop a rash after swimming in a pool, you may be dealing with more than dry skin: It’s possible you have a chlorine rash. Any pool rash can take away a lot of the fun of going swimming, but there are ways to treat a chlorine rash and lower the risk of getting another one the next time you jump in. Can you be allergic to chlorine? A chlorine rash may look a lot like an allergic skin reaction, but there’s no such thing as a chlorine a ..read more

Medically reviewed by Daniel Gutierrez, PA-C Does pulling back the sheets of a hotel room bed give you pause and make you wonder, “What do bed bugs look like?” Have you woken up with clusters of small red bumps and asked yourself, “What do bed bug bites look like?” Bed bug bites are usually more annoying than dangerous, but finding bed bugs — or even thinking about being bitten by them in the night — can give you a serious case of the creeps, not to mention insomnia. Read on to learn the answers to the most common questions people have about bed bugs and bed bug bites, plus what to do if these ..read more

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Wong, DO You take a dip in a cold, sparkling lake on a hot summer day, expecting to come out feeling cool and refreshed. But within minutes of wading out of the water, you find yourself with itchy legs and perhaps, small red spots. It could be swimmer’s itch, a reaction to parasites in water. Swimmer’s itch is common throughout the world.  For most people, it isn’t serious and goes away on its own. Until it does, however, it can be unpleasant. What is swimmer’s itch? Swimmer’s itch, or cercarial dermatitis, is an allergic reaction to cercariae, the tiny larv ..read more