Prompt treatment of an infection can speed healing and prevent its spread, so be sure to follow aftercare instructions from your piercing professional.

Providing warmth is an instinctual extension of love that all parents want to give to their baby. But despite best intentions, sometimes an infant's temperature drops below normal. A low temperature in a baby is most often due to a cold environment or not enough clothes or blankets.

Scabies is a contagious, parasitic infestation of the skin caused by human itch mites. These microscopic parasites burrow into the superficial skin layer. The presence of the mites and their eggs causes an inflammatory reaction in the skin that manifests as an intensely itchy rash.

An appendectomy is surgery performed to remove an inflamed or infected appendix. It's a common surgery and mostly goes off without a hitch. Sometimes, however, there may be appendectomy complications. Removal of the appendix may create other problems requiring immediate attention.

When a child has a high fever and cough, parents and other caregivers are often understandably alarmed. A number of conditions can cause these symptoms, such as the flu, sinusitis, pneumonia and other airway infections.

The major signs of a surgical site infection are pain, fever and changes in the appearance of the incision and surrounding skin. Infection after surgery can lead to more pain, prolonged time in the hospital, readmission to the hospital and, in rare cases, life-threatening illness.

The herpes simplex virus is incurable -- once you’re infected, it stays with you for life. That may be a downer, but many people turn to lifestyle changes to help manage the condition and prevent outbreaks of the two types of herpes -- one that brings on cold sores and one that results in genital blisters.

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common -- especially among women. Most are caused by bacteria called E. coli. But some types of staph bacteria, primarily one known as Staphylococcus saprophyticus, can also cause a urinary infection.

Antiseptics are substances applied to the exterior of the body that kill or inhibit microbes and infective agents. Antiseptics can be effective against one or a combination of bacteria, fungi, viruses or other microorganisms.

Jock itch, also referred to as ringworm of the groin or tinea cruris, is a fungus-caused condition that affects the groin area. It is often triggered by prolonged wetness in the groin area and clothing friction. Symptoms typically include scaly patches of skin, itching, and abnormally light or dark skin.

Acute diseases are those diseases that come on abruptly and run a short, severe course, while chronic diseases last for a prolonged time and may come and go. An acute disease requires immediate medical attention due to life-threatening possibilities.

It can be relaxing and therapeutic to soak in a hot tub, but users should be aware of hot tub dangers. Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) spread easily in hot tubs, and an entire family can become sick at the same time.