A sore or hole in the lining of an organ is known as an ulcer.  A stomach ulcer is known as a gastric ulcer while a duodenal ulcer is an ulcer in the duodenum which is part of the small intestine. Duodenal ulcers occur more frequently in men and usually between the ages of 20-45, while stomach ulcers occur more often than not in people over the age of 50.

The stomach is protected from acid by a lining of mucus but if the lining is damaged then the acid can come into contact with the stomach or intestine wall, causing an ulcer.

Symptoms of an ulcer include abdominal pain, feeling sick after eating, loss of appetite, weight loss, or difficulty swallowing.  More serious symptoms include black or tar like stools, severe stomach pain, or vomiting blood.

Stomach Ulcers

Ulcers can be caused by bacteria known as Helicobacter Pylori and also use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin.  Other causes of ulcers are smoking and drinking alcohol and it is also thought to run in some families.  Stress can aggravate an ulcer as it causes the stomach to produce more acid.

Diagnosis of an ulcer is confirmed through a procedure known as an endoscopy.  This is done in a hospital and it involves a thin tube being passed down to the stomach through the mouth and gullet.  This can show the doctor whether an ulcer is present.

Treatment of an ulcer depends on whether the cause was a bacterium or by using NSAIDs. Proton pump inhibitors are prescribed for ulcers which have not been caused by the H pylori bacteria and they work by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach.  For ulcers caused by H pylori bacteria, treatment is usually a combination of proton pump inhibitors and two antibiotics.

Skin Ulcers

Scabies is an infection caused by a tiny mite that burrows under the skin usually on the hands, ankles, wrists or male genitalia.  They then live there and lay eggs.  Having these mites under the skin induces an allergic reaction which in turn causes a rash with extreme itching.  Scabies is more common in children but can occur at any age.  It is highly contagious and is spread through direct person to person contact.  The scabies mite cannot live long outside the body but sometimes it can be spread from contact with clothes, linen, etc if the infected person has just touched them.

Scabies

The rash usually develops between two to six weeks after the person has become infected.  The itching usually worsens at night or after a bath or shower when skin is hot. Sometimes burrow marks can be seen on the skin but most often they are hidden by marks caused by scratching or the rash itself.  These burrow marks are thin zigzag lines and are easier to see on hands or feet.

Scabies is treated with a scabicide which is a lotion or cream but it needs to be applied correctly or it may not work.  It needs to be applied twice with a week between each application and should be applied to cool dry skin.  The cream then should be washed off between eight and twenty four hours later.

Everyone in close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with scabies needs to be treated at the same time to make sure the infection has been completely erased.  All bed linen should be washed at a high temperature to make sure that all mites are killed.

Vaginitis is the name given to an infection of the vagina.  Symptoms of vaginitis include a sore itching vagina with possible abnormal discharge.  There are various types of vaginitis and each type has its own cause and symptoms.  These different types are yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, non-infectious vaginitis, and trichomoniasis.

Yeast or Candida infections are the most common type of vaginitis and are caused by an excess of the fungus Candida growing in the vagina.  Symptoms of yeast infections include a thick white discharge which causes the vagina to become itchy and red.

Vaginitis

Bacterial vaginosis is a frequent infection which affects women of reproductive age and is caused by bacteria in the vagina.  Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis can include a thin smelly vaginal discharge although some women find they have no symptoms at all and only become aware of the infection during a visit to the gynecologist.

Non-infectious vaginitis can be caused by a reaction to products used such as soaps, fabric softeners, douches, vaginal sprays or spermicidal products.  It can cause the vagina to become itchy or burn and is accompanied by a vaginal discharge.

Trichomoniasis is an infection of the vagina which is caused by a single cell parasite.  This form of vaginitis is a sexually transmitted disease and will cause soreness, itching, and burning of the vagina.  It can also cause a burning feeling when urinating.

Each type of vaginitis has its own treatment.  An anti-yeast infection is used to treat yeast infection.  An antibiotic is used to treat bacterial vaginosis as there is no remedy which can be purchased over the counter.  In order to treat non-infectious vaginitis it is necessary to cease using the product which caused the reaction and a cream can be used to relieve symptoms. Trichomoniasis is treated with an antibiotic but it is important to avoid any sexual contact until it has been treated.