We have all had that important date in the diary coming up, and a day or so before, what happens – our skin breaks out. There are many different things in our day to day life that can affect how our skin is reacting. Some in the short term, and others over the long term. Here the Healthwords medical team takes a look at some of these lifestyle factors in detail that can contribute to changes with your skin.

Gum disease, medically known as gingivitis, is a prevalent condition affecting millions worldwide. It's essential to understand the fundamentals of gingivitis to maintain optimal oral health and prevent potential complications. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, primarily caused by poor oral hygiene habits. When plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, accumulates on the teeth and along the gumline, it can lead to inflammation of the gums. This inflammation is the hallmark of gingivitis and is often accompanied by symptoms such as redness, swelling, and bleeding during brushing or flossing. While gingivitis is common, it's crucial to recognise its significance. If left untreated, it can progress to a more severe form of gum disease called periodontitis, which can result in irreversible damage to the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Moreover, research has shown potential links between gum disease and other systemic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes, highlighting the importance of maintaining good oral health. Understanding the importance of gum health is key to preventing and managing gingivitis. Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, can help remove plaque and prevent its accumulation along the gumline. Additionally, regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are essential for monitoring oral health and addressing any signs of gum disease early on. In this article, we will delve deeper into the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gingivitis. By arming yourself with knowledge about gum disease, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your oral health and overall well-being.

Ear infections are common and most likely the result of a virus. You might feel unwell with a fever and a low appetite. Ear infections often affect the middle ear, which we term otitis media. The pain comes as infection and debris from our own inflammatory response builds up behind the eardrum, pushing it. This gives a feeling of fullness, earache, and hearing may come and go. You may feel pain on the cheek side of the ear or under it, and it might be worse when eating. It’s usually just one ear that is affected. Sometimes infections affect the outer part of the ear. This may be the case if you have symptoms of wetness with white or yellow discharge, and the ear may feel itchy or sore just inside. This points more towards otitis externa, where the ear canal leading to the eardrum is infected.

Ear infections are very common in children and most likely comes with a viral cold. Your child might feel unwell with a fever, sickness, and feeling of their food. Ear infections usually affect the middle ear, which we call otitis media. The pain comes as products of infection and inflammation build up behind the eardrum, pushing it. They may complain that hearing comes and goes, or they may feel pain on the cheek side of the ear or under it, which might be worse when eating. It’s usually just one ear affected. Sometimes infections affect the outer part of the ear. This may be the case if you have symptoms of wetness with white or yellow discharge, and the ear may feel itchy or sore just inside. This points more towards otitis externa, where the ear canal leading to the eardrum is infected.

Meniere’s disease is a long-term condition of the inner ear that affects hearing and balance, and requires a trio of symptoms to make the diagnosis. About 1 in 1,000 people are affected by it, and most commonly occurs between the ages of 40 and 60 although it can occur at any age. One ear only is usually affected initially but about 40% of cases go on to affect both ears. (It is named after the French doctor who first described it in the 1860s.) The first is vertigo, where you feel as though the environment is spinning around you, or that you are spinning when you are standing still. The second is tinnitus, a ringing in the ear, and you may also get a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear. The third is hearing loss that comes and goes, usually affecting one ear at a time. Meniere's typically come on without warning and episodes can last between 20 minutes and 24 hours - although the average length of an attack is 2-4 hours - causing severe nausea or vomiting. Unfortunately, Meniere's is a progressive disease that gets worse over time. The episodes may happen in clusters in a week or over months or even years, with most sufferers having 6-10 clusters a year. Some people only have vertigo without any hearing loss but hearing loss without vertigo is uncommon in Meniere’s.

Psoriasis is a long-term condition that causes thickened patches to appear on the skin. It can only affect the scalp, or you might have other patches on your body. It can be intensely itchy and in a mild form, may cause red patches, usually at the back of the head and extending to the neck or behind the ears. In a more severe form, thickened plaque may cause temporary loss of hair, and this requires stronger and more prolonged treatment.

Hearing loss is a significant health issue that affects communication, social interactions, and overall quality of life. It can range from mild to profound and may affect one or both ears. The prevalence of hearing loss is notable, with millions of people worldwide experiencing varying degrees of auditory impairment. This condition can affect individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, and its impact can be profound, influencing not only personal and professional relationships but also mental and emotional well-being.

Dandruff is caused by dead skin cells falling off your scalp which can be seen as white-grey flakes on your scalp, in your hair and sometimes on your clothes. It can also cause symptoms of an itchy scalp. It is very common and not linked to hair cleanliness although more flakes may build up with the less you wash your hair. Dandruff is a type of seborrhoeic dermatitis that also causes a red, greasy, flakey rash over the nose and cheeks. In the majority of cases, dandruff can be treated at home. Extreme weather conditions, such as when hot, cold or dry may cause dandruff, and stress can worsen the condition in some people. Dandruff is not contagious.

Xerostomia means dry mouth and is due to too little saliva to keep the mouth moist. Saliva is produced from glands in your mouth and helps not only keep your mouth and throat from becoming too dry but also helps with keeping the mouth clean by helping move small bits of food out from the crevices in your mouth and providing some protection against microbes (viruses, bacteria and fungal infections). Dry mouth is a symptom in itself and can have multiple causes ranging from being dehydrated to a side effect of medication or treatments like radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, can cause it, or even if you breathe through your mouth most of the time rather than through your nose. A dry mouth can go hand-in-hand with a sore throat, bad breath, a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, mouth infections such as thrush, and problems with gums or teeth (this is due to bacteria or plaque building up more when there is less anti-microbial saliva).

Hair loss can cause distress and a sense of premature ageing in men, as it often appears in your 30s or 40s, at a time when you feel healthy and young, and are striving in your career, relationships and family life. It's very common, with half of all men in their 50s having visible hair loss. It's usually part of the natural ageing process and mediated by hormones. Everyone wants to know what they can do to halt the process, or even to regain their locks. Let’s talk you through the options, and the less common causes of an underlying medical condition.

Xailin night is an eye ointment for the treatment of dry eye conditions, corneal erosion and to lubricate the eyes before or after eye surgery. It contains paraffin and wool alcohols (lanolin) which all serve to lubricate and protect water loss from the eyes. This, in turn, relieves symptoms of dry eyes and forms a protective barrier on the surface of the eye.

Halitosis, known to most as bad breath, is when an unpleasant or foul odour comes from your mouth. It’s very common and can affect anyone, from children to adults. In many cases, it does not last long and there is no serious underlying cause. However, with chronic (long-term) halitosis, it can cause a negative impact on the mental health and social well-being of people who suffer from it. Fortunately, there are some simple steps to help with bad breath, so let’s talk you through them.

For most, the abundance of oestrogen causes a slowing down of hair shedding, and many women report increased volume and lustrous locks during pregnancy. But this isn’t so for all – the relative stress to the body in the first trimester may cause hair loss, but this is only evident later in the pregnancy. This will come back – you’ll notice regrowth two to four months after baby is delivered.

There are many different types of eye drops available both over the counter and available via a prescription. Eye drops are used to treat a myriad of eye conditions including hay fever, dry eyes, infections, glaucoma, and more. Whilst they cover a variety of treatments, they all are instilled using the same technique. Below we have a step-by-step guide to help you instill your eye drops effectively!

If your nails turn up at the sides, in the shape of a spoon, this is known as koilonychia. It may be something that runs in your family, but it can also point to a medical condition. Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common of these, so it’s worth getting a blood test to check, or topping up your iron levels with supplements to see if this improves your nail condition. Other more unusual medical conditions can occasionally cause koilonychia, so if you have any other symptoms or concerns, you can discuss this with your doctor.

Optrex Bacterial Conjunctivitis Eye Ointment is used to treat minor bacterial eye infections (such as bacterial conjunctivitis). It contains the active ingredient chloramphenicol, a broad-spectrum antibiotic that works against a wide variety of bacteria. Optrex Bacterial Conjunctivitis Eye Ointment can be used in adults and children over the age of 2 years and purchased from your pharmacy after discussing the symptoms with your pharmacist. In some situations, your pharmacist may suggest an alternative eye treatment that could be more appropriate than chloramphenicol. Viral and fungal eye infections can cause very similar symptoms but need different treatments. Optrex Bacterial Conjunctivitis Eye Ointment can be used on its own or together with chloramphenicol eye drops, however, this is normally through the direction of the doctor. It is used in combination with chloramphenicol eye drops because the ointment lasts longer in the eyes, making them more suitable for the before-bed application.

Maskne is a new phenomenon coined in the COVID-19 pandemic to describe the acne experienced around the nose, upper lip and chin area in a response to regularly wearing a mask. Mask-provoked acne is new to the general public, anyway, but has long been experienced by medical and construction workers. The causes of these pimples, or whiteheads, are two-fold: the first is the physical barrier they provide, which causes pores to become blocked with the dead skin cells we shed all the time, so-called acne mechanica. A bacteria associated with acne, called P. Acnes, causes inflammation in blocked pores and sebaceous (oil-forming) glands, and in addition to the physical friction, masks also provide a warm, moist environment for P. Acnes to grow and multiply, thus further inflaming the spots, and even causing deep spots, called cysts.

Difflam is a branded version of the anti-inflammatory and pain relief medication benzydamine. It primarily comes in three formulations: mouth spray, mouth rinse and lozenges. It is important that it is taken with food as it can cause stomach irritation.

It's quite common to get an itchy ear. There can be a number of causes, so if this persists past a few days, it's worth getting checked out. If you suffer from psoriasis, eczema or dry skin, this can also affect your ear canal, where debris from dead skin cells builds up and irritates. If you've been on holiday, "Mediterranean ear" can develop as a result of sweating and bathing in hot climates. Hard Earwax can build up and irritate, with some reporting an itch as the primary symptom, and if a good solid blockage of the eardrum, you may also suffer a loss of hearing. Otitis externa describes inflammation in the lining of the ear canal and can be associated with infection - in this case, the ear would be painful (often described as earache) more than itchy, and you may also have a cough or cold and fever.

An ear infection can affect the middle ear, just beyond the eardrum, causing inflammation and pain, and this is called acute otitis media. Bacteria or viruses can cause the infection, but either way, it usually gets better by itself after about 3 days. The middle ear can fill with pus and the pressure can cause pain. Children can get ear infections due to a cold, flu, letting too much water in the ear after bathing or swimming, or constant allergies.

Experiencing an earache alongside a sore throat can be both uncomfortable and concerning. These symptoms often occur together, leading many to wonder if there is a direct connection between them. The relationship between the ear and throat will give you an understanding of the causes of earache and sore throat. This will help identify the underlying cause and find appropriate treatment. We will explore the common causes of these symptoms, their possible links, and how they might indicate various health conditions. The Link Between the Ear and the Throat Conditions often affect the ear and throat due to their interconnected structures and shared nerve pathways. The tube connecting the middle ear to the throat allows inflammation or infections in the throat to spread to the ear. Shared nerves can transmit pain from one area to the other, leading to referred discomfort. Additionally, the “lymphatic system”, which includes “lymph nodes” in the neck and throat, can cause swelling and tenderness that radiates to the ear. This connection explains why symptoms can simultaneously impact both areas.

Fungal infection of the scalp usually affects children under 10 years old, although more rarely it may affect older children and adults. The medical terms are tinea capitis where the scalp is infection, tinea barbaris for infection in the beard or moustache. It can cause itching and patchy hair loss, with ring-shaped areas of redness and flakiness. Yellow crusts may form if left untreated, and this may cause hair to become matted. Hair loss is usually temporary until it's treated, but the appearance can cause distress, and the scalp can feel very itchy and a bit sore, if left untreated.

You know when the pollen season has arrived if you suffer from itchy, streaming eyes and they look red and puffy. For those with hay fever, it can be really uncomfortable, and you feel desperate for some relief. Our pharmacist has put together some remedies to help soothe your eyes and heal your eye symptoms.

Melanoma (also known as malignant melanoma) is the most serious type of skin cancer caused by sun exposure. It's serious because the cancer can spread to other organs in the body, so it needs prompt identification and treatment. You can take steps to prevent it, but also keep a watch for any moles or other skin marks that are new, changing or don't look like your other moles. Melanoma is the 5th most common cancer in the UK, with almost 17,000 new cases each year. The number of cases has doubled in the last 30 years, and it can occur at any age.

Earwax forms naturally inside your ears and acts as a defence barrier, protecting the ears from harmful substances and bacteria. It usually moves out of the ears gradually by the action of chewing and is harmless. However, sometimes it can build up and block the ears.

Hydrocortisone cream is a short-term steroid cream used to treat different causes of skin inflammation. The cream can be used to treat: eczema heat rash insect bites & stings other inflammatory skin conditions The strength of the products ranges from 0.1% to 2.5%, although the maximum strength found behind the counter is 1%. There are three main formulations of hydrocortisone; cream, ointment, and lotion.

Hair is a huge part of a woman’s identity and we are constantly bombarded with images of long sleek locks with plenty of volume. Understandably loss of hair can cause women a great deal of anxiety. There can be telling signs that this is an inevitable part of an ageing process, so let’s talk through what to look for, and consider any reversible causes.

Care clove oil is used for the temporary relief of a toothache. Historically, cloves were inserted in the affected cavity. The person would then chew on it to release the oil. Care clove oil is the extracted, concentrated product from the spice. Not only does clove oil have anaesthetic properties, but it also has slight antibacterial properties.

Glaucoma is a condition where there is damage to the optic nerve. This nerve sits at the back of your eye and transports the images your eyes see to your brain for processing. Glaucoma can threaten your vision, either by direct damage to the optic nerve, or by an increase in pressure in the fluid filling the eye, and thereby squeezing the optic nerve. It can ultimately lead to a loss of vision, so it's important it's detected and treated early. There are two usual types of glaucoma, based on whether pressure increases slowly or quickly. Chronic open-angle glaucoma - the most common type - is where pressure inside the eye builds slowly, so the loss of vision occurs gradually. You might not even notice changes early on, but you're most likely to lose vision in the outer edges of your vision (the periphery) first. It's often picked up on a routine check-up with your optician, where they check eye pressure by blowing a puff of air on your eyeball. This type of glaucoma usually affects both eyes and is painless.  Among white Europeans, about 1 in 50 people over 40 years of age and 1 in 10 people over 75 years of age have chronic open-angle glaucoma. Acute angle glaucoma is much less common. Pressure builds rapidly inside the eye and threatens vision if not treated urgently. You might feel severe pain in or around your eye or in the head, the eye may feel tight or full, lights may appear to have halos around them and you might complain of blurred vision. You may even feel unwell and be vomiting. This is an emergency and you should seek medical attention urgently. Other possible types of glaucoma include secondary glaucoma – caused by an eye injury or inflammation of the middle layer of the eye – and congenital glaucoma which is rare but present at birth.