Symptoms and Illnesses
What You Need to Know
Acne (adults/teens)
Allergies
Blisters
Sore Throat
Anxiety
Mouth Ulcers
Smoking Cessation and Nicotine Withdrawal
Asthma
Bloating, Flatulence, and Aerophagia
Bruises, Ecchymoses, and Hematomas
Cold Sores or Oral Herpes
Acute Benign Bronchitis
Heartburn
Skin Burns
Hair Loss or Alopecia
Muscle Strain
Conjunctivitis, Eye and Eyelid Disorders
Constipation
Contraception
Corns, Calluses, and Soft Corns
Heatstroke or Sunstroke
Sunburn and Sun Allergy
Muscle Aches
Muscle Cramp
Cystitis and Urinary Tract Infection
Itching or Pruritus
Teeth and Gums
Mild depression
Seborrheic dermatitis
Acute diarrhea
Indigestion or dyspepsia
Pain
Osteoarthritis pain and other joint pain
Anal pain
Ear pain and earwax buildup
Back pain
Fatigue or asthenia
Fever
Folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles
Scabies
Influenza and flu-like illnesses
“Hangover”
Hemorrhoids (hemorrhoidal flare-ups)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (difficulty urinating)
Insomnia (minor sleep disturbance)
Heavy legs
Sore throat
Seasickness, Motion Sickness
Bad breath or halitosis
Headaches and migraines
Athlete's foot or fungal foot infection
Nail fungus
Vaginal Yeast Infection or Vaginal Candidiasis
Nausea and Vomiting
Paronychia
Morning-After Pill
Insect Bites
Minor Wounds and Cuts
Head Lice, Nits, and Pubic Lice
Weight Gain and Obesity
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Painful Periods or Dysmenorrhea
Nasopharyngitis
Head Cold or Coryza
Hay Fever or Other Allergic Rhinitis
Nosebleeds or Epistaxis
Dry Mouth or Xerostomia
Dry Eyes
Spasmophilia
Pregnancy Tests
Stiff Neck and Neck Pain
Cough
Menopausal Disorders and Hot Flashes
Warts
Intestinal Worms
Vertigo
Blisters A small blister on the heel after walking all afternoon in new shoes, or after a long sports session? That’s a blister. Blisters are usually uncomplicated if certain precautions are taken. The simplest approach, of course, is to avoid them! What you need to know A blister is a bubble, usually filled with clear fluid, caused by constant friction of the skin against something such as a shoe or a tool (a plane, a saw, and so on). At first, the skin heats up and reddens, like a first-degree burn. Then, if the friction continues, the blister forms and is equivalent to a superficial second-degree burn, which can be truly painful. A blister can also appear after sunburn or a burn. What not to do Do not self-medicate; see your doctor promptly if there are signs of infection (swelling, redness, or even fever). Good practices Prevention If you walk or play sports, choose flexible shoes in your size: beware of shoes that are too tight. Do not set off on a hike in new shoes; wear them several times beforehand to break them in. Wear cotton socks or special sports socks that absorb sweat. In summer, avoid wearing closed shoes without socks. Sweat can encourage a blister to form. If you are prone to blisters, protect areas of friction (the back of the heel, for example) with adhesive tape or a specific protective product. If you have a blister Pierce it with a needle that has first been disinfected with a flame (a match or lighter). Clean the wound with an antiseptic and leave the blister skin in place to protect the wound. Dry it carefully. Then protect the blister with a dressing (but not absorbent cotton, which will stick to the wound). Wear soft, comfortable shoes until it heals. Medicines Besides traditional dressings, you can use hydrocolloid or “second skin” dressings (such as COMPEED® Blister and EPITACT Blisters®), which keep the wound moist and protect it from infection.