What is HPV

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Nothing is worse than dry, cracked lips. The condition can make everything from smiling to eating painful, and let's be honest, doesn't look too pretty. Just as our skin needs regular hydration and sun protection, so do our lips. UV radiation can dry out the lips as well as increase chances of skin cancer and the depletion of collagen and elastin, causing lips to lose their volume with age, says Kavita Mariwalla, MD and dermatologist at Mariwalla Dermatology. While vaseline and beeswax have often been the go-to ingredients in lip balms, consumers are becoming more aware of the negative impact of fossil fuel-based petroleum as well as wanting vegan, beeswax-free formulas. Thankfully, today's beauty brands have formulated plenty of organic lip balms that promise a clean...

Skip to content Top Navigation Close this dialog window Explore Real Simple Profile Menu Close Sign in Close this dialog window View image 6 Skin Conditions That Are Commonly Misdiagnosed this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.

Common skin growths (medically coined skin neoplasm) can be: Malignant: A cancerous growth that can spread very quickly and invade nearby tissues Benign: A non-cancerous growth that usually grows very slowly and does not spread to other areas When a healthcare provider is consulted regarding a skin growth, the first step in the diagnostic procedure is a physical examination. The diagnostician must examine the skin closely to determine whether the growth is benign or if it has the potential to be malignant. If a growth appears to have the potential to be malignant, a tissue sample must be sent to the lab and a biopsy must be performed. A biopsy involves looking under a microscope to determine if cancerous cells are present in a tissue sample.  Here is a closer look at common skin growths, both malignant and benign. tomczykbartek / Getty Images Malignant Skin Growths Malignant skin growths (neoplasms) are very com...

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Nothing is worse than dry, cracked lips. The condition can make everything from smiling to eating painful, and let's be honest, doesn't look too pretty. Just as our skin needs regular hydration and sun protection, so do our lips. UV radiation can dry out the lips as well as increase chances of skin cancer and the depletion of collagen and elastin, causing lips to lose their volume with age, says Kavita Mariwalla, MD and dermatologist at Mariwalla Dermatology. While vaseline and beeswax have often been the go-to ingredients in lip balms, consumers are becoming more aware of the negative impact of fossil fuel-based petroleum as well as wanting vegan, beeswax-free formulas. Thankfully, today's beauty brands have formulated plenty of organic lip balms that promise a clean...

Genital warts treatments include topical medications, such as creams and ointments, and surgical procedures, including freezing, excision, and laser removal. There is no cure for human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts, so they may return after treatment. This article discusses genital warts treatments, including medications, surgical procedures, and home remedies. Genital warts, also called condylomata acuminata, are warts that appear as small bumps on or near the genitals or anus. Causes About 400,000 people in the United States get genital warts each year. HPV types 6 and 11 cause 90% of all cases of genital warts. A person may contract HPV and develop genital warts from skin-to-skin contact during genital or anal sex. In rare cases, a person may develop warts from giving oral sex to or receiving it from a person with genital warts on their mouth or in their genital area. Sometimes, people can pass genital warts to a newborn during vaginal delivery. Symptoms If a pe...

Getty Images The human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccine is cutting cases of cervical cancer by nearly 90%, the first real-world data shows. Cancer Research UK described the findings as "historic", and said it showed the vaccine was saving lives. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by viruses, and the hope is vaccination could almost eliminate the disease. The researchers said the success meant those who were vaccinated may need far fewer cervical smear tests too. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women around the world, killing more than 300,000 each year. Almost nine-in-10 deaths are in low and middle income countries where there is little access to cervical cancer screening. The hope is vaccination will have an even bigger impact in those countries than wealthier nations such as the UK. More than 100 countries have starting using the vaccine as part of World Health Organization plans to get close to eliminating cervical cancer.. In the UK, girls are offe...

You probably know that COVID-19 can bring on symptoms like a cough, fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Could it also be linked to swollen and discolored toes? Some medical groups and researchers say it can, and the condition has been dubbed "COVID toes." Other scientists say early research suggests that there isn't a connection between the coronavirus and this skin problem. Either way, the condition can show up on your toes, fingers, or both. Most people get it only on their toes, which is how it got its name. Here's what you need to know, including COVID toes symptoms, treatments, and more. What Causes COVID Toes? That's unclear for now. These skin changes have shown up in people who've tested negative for COVID, and in people who've tested positive for the coronavirus. One small study, which suggests there's a close relationship between COVID toes and ...

Genital gonorrhea can be diagnosed in a number of ways. A urine sample can be used to test for genital gonorrhea in people of any anatomy. A urethral swab may be used to test for genital gonorrhea in penis-havers. An endocervical or vaginal swab may be used to test for genital gonorrhea in vagina-havers. You can use a mouth or throat swab to test for oral gonorrhea. An anal or rectal swab can be used to test for anal gonorrhea. Gonorrhea, also known as "the clap" or "the drip," is a bacterial sexuality transmitted infection (STI) caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. It can target moist areas of the body, including the genitals, rectum, throat, uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and eyes. Like other STIs, gonorrhea doesn't appear *poof* out of nowhere. Instead, it's transmitted when a person without gonorrhea comes into contact with the site where a person who is gonorrhea-positive has gonorrhea. If, for example, person A has throat gonorrhea and goe...

Genital warts are flesh colored bumps that can appear on or around the genitals. The sexually transmitted infection (STI) human papillomavirus (HPV) is what causes them. Once a person has genital warts, HPV can transmit to others, even if the person has no symptoms. This article will cover what genital warts look like, as well as some causes and treatment options. It will also discuss outlook, some similar conditions, and when to contact a doctor. Genital warts can appear on or around the genitals. Possible locations include the following: vulva vagina penis scrotum cervix anus thighs These warts can also appear in the mouth or throat if someone has had oral sex with a person who has them. Genital warts look similar to the warts that a person might get on their hands or elsewhere on the body. This is because various strains of HPV cause all warts, including genital warts. Genital warts can appear weeks, months, or even years after an HPV infection. Some people with HPV have no symptoms...