Head lice are tiny parasites that live in our hair and feed on blood from our scalp. Their bites can itch. They usually lay their eggs close to the scalp, at the roots of the hair. Different products and techniques can be used to safely and effectively get rid of them.

Many people are familiar with heartburn – a burning pain between your stomach and throat. In gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), these symptoms are frequent and severe. Other symptoms may occur too, such as difficulties swallowing or a bad taste in your mouth. Read about how to manage GERD.

There are different kinds of non-melanoma skin cancer. They are much more common than malignant melanoma. Non-melanoma skin cancer grows very slowly, only rarely spreads to other parts of the body, and can usually be removed completely. Read about the signs, outlook, screening, and treatment options.

Melanoma often looks like a dark mole. It may grow fast and spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). The treatment options mainly depend on how advanced the cancer is.

Stomach pain, bloating and "gas" are all typical digestion problems that some people have after eating or drinking dairy products. This may happen because they only tolerate small amounts of lactose (a type of sugar found in these products). The medical term for this problem is lactose intolerance.

Vocal nodules typically make your voice hoarse, and it may sound raspy and breathy too. These small non-cancerous nodules usually go away again if you rest your voice or have voice therapy. They mainly occur in people who sing or speak a lot and loudly.

Anyone who has to sit or lie without moving for a long time is at risk of developing pressure ulcers. These wounds can be very painful and usually take a long time to heal. This makes it all the more important to try to stop them from developing in the first place. How can they be prevented, and how can family and caregivers help?

Sneezing and a scratchy throat are often the very first signs you are getting a cold. Once your nose has become stuffy, you may feel weak and generally ill. Unlike influenza (flu), colds are harmless, and effective relief is available for the bothersome symptoms.

Typical conjunctivitis symptoms include itching and burning in the affected eye, and stuck-together eyelids when you wake up. Although this infection is usually harmless, it can be bothersome and is contagious. Read about the treatment options and how to prevent it from spreading.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a non-infectious skin condition. It causes red patches and oily, scaly flakes to form, especially on facial skin and the scalp. It is more common in men. The symptoms are sometimes more, and sometimes less severe. But certain creams and shampoos can relieve the symptoms.

Nearly all boys are born with a foreskin that won’t pull back (phimosis). This protects the sensitive head of the penis from rubbing against things, becoming too dry and coming into contact with germs. Find out at what age you should seek medical advice if phimosis doesn't go away on its own.

Having weak bones that easily break is a sign of osteoporosis. It's normal for bone tissue to break down as you grow older, but osteoporosis speeds up this process. Osteoporosis can be a bigger problem in older people because they are also more likely to fall.

The typical signs of sinusitis (inflamed paranasal sinuses) are a stuffy nose, pain and a feeling of pressure in the forehead or jaw. Sometimes it develops from a cold or the flu. Read more about the symptoms and causes of acute and chronic sinusitis, as well as the treatment options.

We often hear about things like serious accidents, natural disasters, or sexual abuse in the news. These traumatic events can have a great impact on the lives of those involved. Some people may then develop what is known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But various interventions and treatments can help.

ADHD is a disorder in which children are especially inattentive, impulsive or hyperactive. Severe ADHD can cause major problems in the life and everyday routine of both the child and their family. There are a number of different treatment options for ADHD. In adulthood the symptoms are generally much less severe or may have disappeared completely.

Red skin, visible blood vessels and pus-filled spots on the face are all typical symptoms of rosacea – a common facial skin inflammation. Read about the treatment options and how to find out what could be triggering rosacea flare-ups.

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that typically causes very sudden and very severe upper abdominal pain. The pain is so bad that most people go straight to a doctor. The inflammation is often caused by gallstones blocking the opening of the pancreas or by drinking too much alcohol.

For various reasons, the connective tissue in women’s pelvic floor may become weaker. This can cause the womb, bladder or the end part of the bowel to slip down. Bladder prolapses are the most common. The main treatment options are pelvic floor exercises, vaginal pessaries and surgery.

Not being able to have children is usually a source of great emotional turmoil. Men and women often take it for granted that they will be able to. Many couples who have trouble conceiving start looking for medical help at some point. A number of different treatments are available, depending on the causes of the infertility.

Pneumonia often leads to a sudden high fever, the feeling that you are very unwell, a cough and shortness of breath. People who are otherwise in good health generally recover within a week. The typical symptoms may not occur in children and older people, which can sometimes make pneumonia very difficult to diagnose.

In bacterial vaginosis (sometimes abbreviated as BV) much larger numbers of bacteria grow inside of the vagina than would normally just be there. This increase in bacteria is usually not dangerous and it often goes unnoticed, but it can cause a strong-smelling vaginal discharge and be very unpleasant. Antibiotics can provide effective treatment.

If a tendon sheath is overused, it can become inflamed and swollen. Known as tenosynovitis, this most commonly occurs in the hands, arms and feet. The pain usually goes away if you keep the inflamed area still. If it doesn’t go away, various treatments are considered.

Signs of bursitis include swelling and pain – for instance, in an elbow or knee. It can arise when too much pressure is put on one of the protective fluid-filled sacs in the body known as bursae. There are various ways to treat bursitis, depending on the cause and how it develops over time.

Cold sores lead to the formation of painful blisters around the lips, typically only on one side of the mouth. People who have had a cold sore in the past often keep on getting them again. They are caused by certain contagious herpes viruses. Because they go away on their own within one to two weeks, treatment usually isn’t needed.

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Herpes virus infections actually don’t often lead to a disease, though. If symptoms do arise, they can be painful and distressing. But there are treatments that can relieve the symptoms and shorten the outbreaks.

Frozen shoulder starts very gradually. At first the pain is mild, but it then gets worse and can make it difficult to sleep through the night. Over time, the shoulder gets so stiff that it can hardly move. At what age is frozen shoulder most common? And what can relieve the symptoms until they go away?

Bunions are among the most common foot deformities. They often don’t cause any problems – or only minor problems. But sometimes the foot becomes increasingly deformed and hurts, making it hard to walk. If measures such as wearing well-fitting shoes and using splints don’t help, surgery is an option.

Gastritis is common. The symptoms include stomach pain, heartburn, nausea and feeling full. It is usually caused by certain bacteria or anti-inflammatory painkillers. The symptoms often clear up on their own after a few days.

Many people will have an ingrown toenail at some point in their lives. There are various possible treatments, depending on how severe the symptoms are. Using the right technique to cut your toenails can help prevent the problem in the first place, though.

A boil (furuncle) is a pus-filled bump in the skin that is caused by a bacterial infection. It’s a bit like a very big yellow pimple, but it’s deeper in the skin and hurts a lot more. Medical treatment is often helpful. It can make boils go away quicker, relieve the pain and prevent complications.