Everyday Complaints

This A-to-Z guide treatment information for common ailments that everyone deals with at some point in life. Most require basic nonprescription medications or self-help measures; some will eventually
disappear on their own. But because such everyday complaints can occasionally be a sign of a more serious disorder, it's very important to seek a doctor's care if any of these conditions (or other common health problems) persist.

Athlete's foot.
The most common fungal infection of the skin, athelete's foot (Tinea pedis) typically begins between the toes, causing itching, scaling and sometimes painful skin breaks. The fungi thrive in cramped, most places, such as inside shoes and socks.

Medications

• The usual treatment is a nonprescription antifungal cream, lotion or powder containing an antifungal agent such as clotrimazole. Use creams on the soles of your feet and lotions or powders between your toes.
• Also effective are twice daily, 20-minute soaks in an aluminium acetate solution, such as Burrows Solution.

Self help strategies.

• Keep your feel clean and dry, and change your socks every day.
• Air your shoes after each use, and don't wear the sam pain every day.
• Go barefoot whenever you can, and opt for sandals or other well-ventilated shoes that allow your feet to breathe.
  

Duration of treatment
Symptoms often clear up after three days of anti-fungal treatment may be necessary, however, to completely resolve the infection and to prevent a recurrence.

When to call the doctor

• If home treatment does not seem to be working within four weeks.
• If an area becomes red and swollen; it's a sign of a more serious bacterial infection.

Blisters
These fluid-filled bubbles form on the skin in response to injury or irratation--often from ill-fitting shoes, sports equipment or tools--but also from burns, frostbite, allergic reactions and infections.

Medications

• The best treatment for most blisters is to simply leave them alone to heal themselves. You can keep a blister from breaking with a bandage, or by placing a mole-skin 'doughhnut' around it.
• If a blister breaks, wash it with soap and water, let it air-dry and apply an antibiotic cream (such as Bactroban).
• If a blister swells from irritation and needs to be drained, carefully puncture it with a sterilised needle, leave the top skin layer in place and cover with antibiotic cream and a sterile bandage.
• Topical hydrocortisone products (Dermaid) or some calamine lotion may help if the blistered skin itches.

Self help strategies

• Wear shoes that fit and socks that draw moisture away; protect sensitive skin with gloves, talcum powder, moleskin or petroleum jelly.

Duration of treatment
Blisters that do not become infected usually clear up within a few days.

When to call the doctor

• If a blister is very large, caused by a burn or is of unknown origin.
• If a blister becomes infected (filled with pus) or is red or swollen.
• If you have other symptoms, such as fever or fatigue.

Burns
Whether caused by heat, chemicals or electrical current, a burn is classified by how deeply it penetrates A first-degree burn goes deeper and the skin becomes very red and blisters. A third-degree burn, which destroys the skin and underlying tissues burn, which destroys the skin and underlying tissues (yet because of nerve damage may not be painful) is a medical emergency; go to a hospital immediately for treatment.

Medications

• Put first-degree and minor second-degree burns under cold running water or immerse the burn in a cold water bath. Let the burn dry and apply an antibiotic cream (Silvazine); be careful not to break any blisters. Cover it with sterile gauze pads held loosely with tape.
  

Self-help strategies

• Avoid exposing burned skin to sun or hot water.
• Apply aloe vera gel or vitamin E cream to speed healing.

Duration of treatment
Most first-degree burns heal within a few days, second-degree burns within 14 days.

When to call the doctor

• If you are in doubt about the severity of a burn.
• If a burn covers a very large area, it's very painful or it develops blisters larger than a 5-cent piece.
• If the burn is caused by electricity: there may be minimal damage to skin, but considerable internal injury.
• If there is pus, an unpleasant odor or fever.

Cold sores
The herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1) causes these small, often painful sores around the mouth or nostrils. While many people have HSV-1, only some get cold sores, which usually progress from a tingling sensation to a swollen red lump and then, after a day or two, to a blister that bursts and crusts over.

Medications

• Use a nonprescription antiviral ointment, such as Zovirax, to prevent spread and promote healing.
• For frequent outbreaks, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug such as aciclovir (Zovirax). Valaciclovir (Valtrex) and famciclovir (Famvir) are two other antiviral treatments available.
  

Self-help strategies

• Apply ice the first sign of a sore to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Cold are blisters are contagious, so avoid tocuhing them or kissing anyone, and do not touch your eyes, which can also become infected.
• Cold sores can be triggered by sun exposure: wear SPF 15 sunscreen or lip gloss on and around your lips.

Duration of treatment 

Cold stores usually clear up within 7 to 10 days.

When to call the doctor

• If a cold sore persists for more than two weeks or if you develop a fever.
• If you have several out-breaks during one year.
• If your eyes hurt or are light-sensitive during an outbreak.

ConjunctivitisThis is an irritating infection of the thin membrane that lines the eyeballs and inner eyelids (the conjunctiva). It causes a sensation of grittiness when blinking, a discharge from the eye and itching and tearing. Conjunctivitis (aka pinkeye) can result from a viral or bacteria infection, or from an irritation or allergy.

Medications

• Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious, so avoid touching your eyes, and be sure to wash your hands frequently.
• Prescription antibacterial eye ointment and eye-drops will clear up most bacterial conjunctivitis.
• If the cause is an allergy, apply cool compresses to your eyes and take an antihistamine. Or use eye-drops to reduce redness and itching. If it persists, your doctor may prescribe oral antihistamines or corticosteroid eye-drops.

Self-help strategies

• If there's discharge, bathe your eyes with warm water and a clean face washer. Wash your hands afterwards.
• Don't use contact lenses or eye make-up, or share face washers, towels or eye make-up.

Duration of treatment
Viral conjunctivitis usually clears up on its own in a week or so. A bacterial infection requires medication from your doctor.

When to call the doctor

• If a discharge or redness worsens, or the eye is painful.
• If your vision is persistently blurry.