Harvard Health Content API

Pruritis is the medical term for itchy skin. Pruritis can occur with or without a rash. The list of causes for pruritis is a mile long. If there is a rash and likely culprit, such as contact dermatitis after exposure to poison ivy the diagnosis is straightforward. But diagnosing the underlying cause of pruritis with a non-descript or no rash first requires a doctor taking a detailed history, especially regarding all medications and supplements. Blood tests and a skin biopsy may be needed.

This sounds like a subconjunctival hemorrhage. That’s the medical term for a couple of drops of blood that escape from one of the tiny blood vessels just below the surface of the eye. The blood is under the conjunctiva, the thin, clear layer of tissue that is the outermost coating of the eye. Most often, subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs spontaneously. Sometimes it is related to trauma. Cellulitis is a skin infection and could involve the eyelid, which might inflame the conjunctiva. But a cellulitis would be an unlikely direct cause of a subconjunctival hemorrhage.

The success rate for laser cataract surgery is excellent: it is estimated to be anywhere from 90-99%. Because of the impressive success rate of laser cataract surgery, this procedure is quite popular and often recommended for those suffering from poor vision due to cataracts.

There are two key components in the treatment of septic bursitis: drainage and antibiotics.

Drainage can usually be achieved by inserting a needle into the bursa and draining the infected fluid through the needle. An imaging test, such as ultrasound, may be used to guide the insertion of the needle into the proper location. If the infection is not well-drained in this way or if the infection persists or returns, surgery may be necessary to adequately drain the fluid and eliminate the infection.

The choice of antibiotics is guided by testing of the infected bursal fluid. Most of the time, the organism is a common bacterial species, including one of those normally found on the skin.

Newborns whose mother developed diabetes during pregnancy can often have hypoglycemia in the newborn period, as can babies who are born smaller than expected. There are also genetic and metabolic diseases that can cause hypoglycemia; any child who has recurrent problems with their blood sugar should be seen by a metabolic specialist.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency and requires immediate care in an emergency department. Heat stroke symptoms include a very high body temperature, lethargy, and confusion. In severe cases, the person becomes so dehydrated they stop sweating. Never try to treat heat stroke at home.

The term dizziness is often used to describe a few different symptoms. Dizzy might mean lightheaded, feeling faint, a spinning sensation (vertigo), or “brain fog.” Dizziness is a common symptom of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The one exception is true vertigo. Vertigo is most often caused by an inner ear problem.`