From stinky breath to mouldy toes, we quizzed the experts on some of those embarrassing health questions many people are just too afraid to ask, and this is what they advised...
Vaginal thrush
Vaginal thrush is becoming more prevalent in today's society and most women will experience it at least once in their lifetime, says Clicks pharmacist Mike Bailey. Symptoms include itching and burning of the vulva, often accompanied by a yeasty-smelling, watery or cottage cheese-like discharge. This vaginal yeast infection is caused by a change in the body’s natural pH balance, something that can be affected by the use of antibiotics, stress, clothing that’s too tight, and strongly-scented bath oils or body and vaginal products.
"The most common treatment for thrush is an antifungal cream or pessary, which is very effective but usually has to be prescribed by your doctor," says Bailey. Your Clicks pharmacist can help you with over-the-counter creams (that may contain the medicine miconazole), so do chat to him or her about your options.
Bailey adds that if you’re on antibiotics, one of the most effective ways of preventing vaginal thrush is to ask your pharmacist for a course of probiotics, to help normalise the balance of intestinal flora in your stomach.
A urinary tract infection (bladder infection)
Burning urine doesn’t automatically denote a urinary tract infection (UTI), which is commonly known as a bladder infection, explains Bailey. "It could also be the result of something you’ve eaten or drunk such as wine, which in itself is acidic and can also cause that burning sensation," he says. "Another reason for the stinging could be a change of medication, such as too much vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which can easily influence your urine’s acidity."
Bailey also says that it’s possible for women to graze the internal lining of the vagina during sexual activity, causing a mild to moderate burning when they go to the loo.
"The best way of determining whether or not you have a bladder infection is to have a simple urine test," he says. "This can be done at a Clicks Clinic that has a nursing sister, or you can ask your family doctor."
If you do have an infection, it’s likely that you’ll be prescribed an antibiotic. However, if you have a mild, uncomplicated infection, Bailey says that drinking a little citric soda mixed in water should help to clear things up. Cranberries are also believed to prevent urinary tract infections or shorten their duration; consider drinking the juice or taking supplements.
Warts
"Warts are actually non-cancerous growths that appear on the top layer of the skin and are caused by a viral infection, the human papillomavirus (HPV)," says Dr Mohammed Docrat, a Cape Town dermatologist and member of the Dermatology Society of South Africa (DERMA). "They usually appear on the hands and are often raised and rough, although sometimes they can be dark and flat."
Fortunately, getting rid of warts is fairly easy and he recommends that sufferers speak to their local pharmacy about treating themselves with topical creams or paints that contain salicylic acid. Otherwise, you can always ask your family doctor or dermatologist to employ a little cryotherapy that involves freezing off the offending wart with liquid nitrogen.
When a wart appears on the sole of the foot, things start to get a little tricky. "This is what we call a planter wart or verruca," says Dr Docrat. "They’re usually quite flat from being walked on and get pushed deep into the skin which means often the only way to get rid of them is with surgery."
Certainly the most embarrassing type have got to be the genital ones, appearing on the sex organs of both men and women. Genital warts are sexually transmitted and if left untreated can lead to cancer of the cervix or penis. It’s best that you and your partner visit a doctor for a proper diagnosis, evaluation and treatment that may involve either cryo- or laser therapy.
Halitosis
Just about everybody will suffer from a bout of halitosis at some point in their lives, often because of a throat or tonsil infection, post-nasal drip or last night’s garlic bread. If you seem to be a long-term sufferer of bad breath, however, the most likely reason is an unhealthy set of gums.
"Good dental hygiene will almost always get rid of bad breath," says Bailey. He advises that you embark on a vigorous dental cleansing routine that includes brushing, flossing and using a good antibacterial mouthwash. "Should your bad breath persist, I would recommend that you consult your doctor or dentist," he says.
Dandruff
Many people suffer from dandruff – a dry, flaky scalp that sheds at an excessively fast rate. "I’d advise anyone with dandruff to use a good antidandruff shampoo and conditioner such as Head & Shoulders, which should clear things up over time," says Dr Docrat.
If the condition persists, you may be suffering from a more complicated scalp condition such as psoriasis. In this case make an appointment to see your doctor or dermatologist so that they can perhaps make a different diagnosis, or prescribe a medication such as a topical steroid solution.
Athlete's foot
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the foot. If left untreated they can spread to other parts of the body such as your hands, groin and face. The fungus that’s responsible can enter your body though broken skin and thrives in warm, moist conditions such as sweaty shoes, communal pools, showers and gyms. Typical symptoms include itching, burning, scaling, peeling and redness of the skin between the toes, and sometimes infected feet will have an unpleasant odour.
Dr Docrat suggests that you blitz your infection with a prescribed tablet or topical antifungal cream that can be bought over the counter at your local Clicks pharmacy. "To prevent an infection from recurring, keep your feet dry and wear sandals in the shower at gym," he adds. You should also wear cotton socks and underwear made from natural, breathable fibres.
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