Definition Valley fever or Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection caused by coccidioides (kok-sid-e-OY-deze) organisms. It can cause fever, chest pain and coughing, among other signs and symptoms. Two species of coccidioides fungi cause valley fever. These fungi are commonly found in soil in specific regions. The fungi’s spores can be …
Read More »Color Blindness – Causes, Risk Factors, and Management.
Introduction Color blindness is a genetic condition caused by a difference in how one or more of the light-sensitive cells found in the retina of the eye respond to certain colors. These cells, called cones, sense wavelengths of light, and enable the retina to distinguish between colors. This difference in …
Read More »Bleeding Disorder – Mechanism, Complications, and Treatment.
Definition Bleeding disorder is a group of conditions that result when the blood cannot clot properly. In normal clotting, platelets, a type of blood cell, stick together and form a plug at the site of an injured blood vessel. Proteins in the blood called clotting factors then interact to form …
Read More »Sporotrichosis – Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention.
Definition Sporotrichosis is an infection caused by a fungus called Sporothrix schenckii. The fungus lives throughout the world in soil, plants, and decaying vegetation. Cutaneous (skin) infection is the most common form of infection, although pulmonary infection can occur if a person inhales the microscopic, airborne fungal spores. Most cases …
Read More »Biotin Deficiency – Causes, Risk factors, and Medications.
Introduction Biotin deficiency is a rare nutritional disease which can become serious when not properly treated. Vitamin B7 is available in several food sources. Intestinal fauna synthesizes fair amounts of this nutrient. Low circulating levels of the vitamin B7 occurs in certain specific health conditions. Biotin inadequacy can result in …
Read More »Pityriasis Versicolor – Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention.
Definition Pityriasis means a type of fine skin scaling, and versicolor means changing colour. Pityriasis Versicolor is a common and harmless rash due to the overgrowth of yeasts that live on everyone’s skin. Pityriasis Versicolor is also called as Tinea versicolor;. These yeasts, called Malassezia, are not related to yeast …
Read More »Jock Itch – Causes, Symtoms, Treatment, and Prevention.
Definition Jock itch is a common, itchy rash of the groin. It is also termed as ‘Tinea Cruris’. It can produce a very intense itch and is associated with a red or pink rash involving the groin folds and genitals. It is primarily a skin condition in men because of …
Read More »Ascariasis – Transmission, Manifestations, and Prevention.
Introduction Ascariasis is a parasitosis of the small intestine caused by one of two worm nematodes (family Ascarididae): Ascaris lumbricoides Linnaeus, 1758, which typically infects humans, and A. suum Goeze, 1782, which is generally found in pigs. The two species are morphologically very similar and both can cause cross infections …
Read More »