Onchocerciasis, also called River Blindness, is a condition which affects the skin and eyes. It is caused by the volvulus Onchocerca worm. Onchocerca volvulus is a parasite. It’s spread to humans and livestock through the bite of a type of blackfly from the genus Simulium. This type of blackfly is found near rivers and streams. […]

What are Bedsores (Decubitus Ulcers)? Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, are damaged skin areas that can occur in people who: Were for long periods confined to bed Are unable to move for short periods, particularly if they are thin or have diseases of the blood vessels or neurological conditions Using a […]

What is Retinoblastoma? This is a rare type of eye cancer usually occurring during childhood. It starts in the retina — the part of the eye that senses light and sends pictures to the brain. Fewer than 300 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with it each year. Usually, it’s found before they turn 2. […]

What is subdural hematoma? A subdural hematoma is a form of bleed inside your brain. More precisely, it is a form of bleeding that occurs within the skull but outside the actual brain tissue. The brain has three membranes layers or coverings (called meninges) that lay between the bony skull and the actual brain tissue. […]

Head lice are tiny insects which the human scalp feeds on blood. A head lice infestation most commonly affects children and is typically the result of a direct transfer of lice from one person’s hair to another’s hair. The infestation of the head-lice is not a symptom of bad personal hygiene or an unclean living […]

Keratoconus (ker-uh-toe-KOH-nus) occurs when your cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye — is thin and gradually booms in a cone shape outwards. A cone-shaped cornea causes blurred vision, which may cause sensitivity to light which glare irritation. Keratoconus usually affects both eyes, and usually first affects people between the ages of […]

What is intussusception? Intussusception is a condition that causes an intestinal obstruction (blockage) in one segment of the intestine ‘telescopes’ inside another. While intussusception can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, it typically occurs at small and large intestine junctions. The obstruction can cause swelling and inflammation which can result in bowel injury. The exact […]

Iritis (i-RYE-is) swells and irritates (inflammation) in the coloured ring around the pupil (iris) of your eye. Another name for the iritis is uveitis anterior. The uvea is the central layer of the eye between the retina and the eye’s white part. The iris is in the front (anterior) portion of the uvea. Iritis is […]

Overview Melanoma, the most severe form of skin cancer, grows in melanin-producing cells (melanocytes)—the pigment that gives the skin its colour. Melanoma can also grow within your eyes and, sometimes, within your body, including in your nose or neck. The exact cause of all melanomas is not clear, but the risk of developing melanoma is […]