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
Folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles Folliculitis and boils are skin infections that particularly affect young children. When several boils cluster together, this is called a carbuncle. When there are multiple recurring boils, this is called furunculosis; it may be accompanied by a painful lymph node. What you need to know Folliculitis—small pustules clearly centered around a hair—is a superficial infection of the hair follicles (where hairs grow). It can be treated with a simple antiseptic (chlorhexidine). Boils are deep folliculitis that begin in the same way: a red spot around a hair, topped by a pustule. The pustule grows larger, causing very painful tightness of the skin, and usually ends by bursting. Causes Folliculitis, boils, and carbuncles are caused by staphylococci and develop mainly in areas of friction—thighs, buttocks, nape of the neck—when there is irritation and poor hygiene. In cyclists and horse riders, irritation from the saddle can, over time, lead to this type of infection. What not to do Do not self-medicate; see a doctor urgently if: The boil is on the side of the nose or on the upper lip (risk of malignant staphylococcal infection of the face, which is very serious). Do not self-medicate; see a doctor promptly if: You have a fever, intense pain, and/or painful lymph nodes. The boils cover a large area of skin, are numerous, or keep coming back. You have diabetes or an immune deficiency. You are taking corticosteroid medications. Do not squeeze a boil and do not lance it; you may make the problem worse. Your doctor will do this if they consider it necessary. Good practices Prevention If you are prone to this type of problem, apply an antiseptic lotion to areas likely to be irritated: the buttocks, especially when cycling or horse riding, the nape of the neck (because of collar friction), and so on. If you have a boil, dab it with an antiseptic lotion after washing your hands with soap and water. Cover it with gauze or a dressing. Repeat the treatment while maintaining good hygiene. In principle, this will eliminate the staphylococci and the boil will disappear. If these local treatments have no effect after 72 hours, see your doctor. Medications The only active substances that can be used for self-medication are skin antiseptics based on chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine (Betadine®, etc.), sodium hypochlorite (Dakin Cooper Stabilisé®, etc.), or hexamidine (Hexomedine Transcutanée®, etc.). 39 Skin antiseptic 39.2 Dosiseptine 39.1 Betadine Dermique