Everyone has at least a scar or two obtained as a kid. Many people take pride in the badges of courage or badges of less-than-logical thinking that they earned as children. Of course there are many other ways the body acquires scars. Read more »

Of all the diseases associated with childhood, chickenpox is one of the most contagious. Vaccinations have helped to limit the number of cases, but even people who have been vaccinated sometimes contract the virus that causes the condition. Read more »

Hives is the general term used to describe an outbreak of bumps and welts associated with an allergic reaction. Unlike mouth ulcers and other mouth sores, hives form on the outside of the body more like chickenpox or shingles symptoms. There are different types of hives. Read more »

It is a common misconception among adults that once we’ve had chicken pox as children, we won’t have to suffer through the chicken pox. Read more »

Breast cancer is cancer that begins in the tissues of the breast. This seems obvious enough, but do you know that there are two major types of this cancer? Read more »

Why shingles develops in some people and never does in other people remains a mystery. However, there does seem to be some correlation between the disease and an already compromised immune system.
Shingles occurs when the dormant chickenpox virus becomes active again. So if you have not had chickenpox you are not at risk for shingles and most people who have chickenpox do not develop this illness. The condition is characterized by inflammation, rashes and blisters, and it can be very painful. Read more »