Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Apply hydrocortisone cream. Use honey. Apply toothpaste. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Take an antihistamine.

Answer: Gently wash the site with mild soap and water. Then, apply a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream to minimize any reaction you might have. For a more natural treatment, you can mix baking soda and water until it forms a thick paste. Spread this over the sting site. If you don't have hydrocortisone on hand, spread pure honey over the sting site. Place gauze or a small cloth over it and let it sit for up to an hour before rinsing off. Toothpaste is another natural alternative to neutralize the venom of a bee sting. Simply dab a little toothpaste over the sting site, place gauze or a small cloth over it, and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Then, rinse the toothpaste off. This will help relieve some of the pain. Be sure to follow the package instructions regarding dosage. For children, consult with your pediatrician for appropriate dosing of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. This may reduce the severity of a reaction. You can take something like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or apply calamine lotion to reduce itchiness.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Consider seborrheic dermatitis. Look for dandruff. Rule out eczema. Check for raised scaly patches caused by psoriasis. Rule out lice. Consider other serious diseases.

Answer: Another common cause of an itchy scalp is known as seborrhea. This can occur in other places on your body as well, but is most common on the scalp. The cause of this condition isn’t clear, but it is believed to be caused by a number of factors, such as your genetics, high stress levels, cold, dry weather, and an excess of yeast on the scalp.  This is commonly confused with other skin conditions, so it’s good to have your doctor take a look at it if you want to be sure of what’s causing your itchy scalp. "Cradle cap” is a type of seborrheic dermatitis that is common among babies and infants. It presents as crusty yellow or brown scales on the scalp. To treat cradle cap in infants, wash the scalp daily with warm water and a gentle baby shampoo. If it doesn't clear up, speak to your pediatrician about medicated shampoo before trying one yourself, as this could cause further irritation.  For adults with seborrheic dermatitis, treatment includes corticosteroids, topical antifungal agents, and other topical agents with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Dandruff is one of the most common causes of itchy skin on the scalp. It is unclear exactly what causes dandruff, but it has been linked to an excess of fungus that is normally present in the skin, known as malassezia. If you have dandruff, you will likely notice small yellow or white flakes on your shoulders, or on your fingers when you scratch your scalp.  Understand that dandruff is not necessarily a sign that you are dirty or unhygienic. Dandruff may be triggered by a lot of things, such as the weather outside and different hair styling products. Treatment for dandruff includes antifungal shampoo with or without high potency steroids. Over-the-counter treatments include the use of selenium sulfide 2.5.%, zinc pyrithione 1 and 2%, coal tar, and salicylic acid. The term eczema doesn’t refer to a specific skin problem, but rather a group of different, but similar skin conditions. It is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease most common in babies and children, but adults can suffer from the condition as well. It typically presents as red patches on the skin that are very itchy.  As with several of the others, the causes of eczema are not entirely clear, but it is believed to be an overreaction of the immune system to some type of irritant. Stress and anxiety, bathing without moisturizing afterwards, dry skin, over heating of skin, and exposure to solvents and detergents may exacerbate the condition. Treatment includes topically applied corticosteroids and emollients. Strength of the steroids used should be based upon body location, age, and degree of inflammation. Psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body, and usually appears as raised, reddish, scaly patches. Doctors aren’t sure what the cause of psoriasis is, but it may be related to an immune malfunction, which causes the body to create skin cells too quickly.  Psoriasis is not contagious, though it could be a result of genetic influences. Scratching the patches of affected skin on your scalp could cause the hair to fall out. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases can be managed with topical treatment, while more severe cases may require phototherapy and prescription medication. This is a very contagious condition caused by tiny parasites that find their way into your hair. These tiny parasites live and lay their eggs on the scalp, and feed off of blood.  While not typically harmful, they are very easily spread, and can be difficult to get rid of. If you find that you are suffering from lice, it is very important to treat the lice problem right away. It is very important that you get all of the lice (including every single egg) on your scalp, and that you wash all bedding and towels that may have touched your head. To treat lice you will need to use topical agents in addition to combing out the nits on your scalp. If you are suffering from Parkinson’s disease or HIV, you are more likely to suffer from an itchy, dry scalp.  However, remember that having a dry, itchy scalp doesn’t necessarily imply that you are suffering from something serious. If you are concerned that you may be suffering from a more serious disease because you are suffering more severe symptoms (in addition to an itchy scalp), you should visit your doctor.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Seek medical advice if your symptoms persist for more than 5 days. Ask your doctor before you use Clean and Dry if you're pregnant. Consult a doctor if you have reoccurring vaginal infections.

Answer: If you continue to experience irritation, redness, white discharge, burning sensations, or itchiness around your vagina, book an appointment with your doctor. It is important to seek medical advice to avoid further infection from occurring. Don’t be shy to go to a doctor. They are used to treating vaginal infections and will be able to help you to treat the symptoms. It is important to not take any new medication while you are pregnant, unless directed by a doctor. Explain your symptoms to your doctor and ask for the best treatment plan for you and your baby. If you are breastfeeding, seek medical advice before applying Clean and Dry cream. If you regularly get vaginal infections, this could indicate that there is an underlying problem. Contact your doctor to help you find and treat the root cause of your infections.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Give them a warm introduction. Carry the conversation in the beginning. Choose topics you know they can contribute to. Ask for recommendations. Opt for topics deeper than small talk. Ask open-ended questions. Manage awkward silences by changing the topic. Gauge how interested they are in the conversation.

Answer:
Approach the shy person with a friendly face and tone.  Avoid getting too close or rushing up to them; instead, be calm about the interaction. You might also ask them a question about themselves to break the ice and get the conversation flowing.  For instance, you might say “Hey Terry!  I’m glad to see you.  Did I see you at the movies last night?” If you have never officially met them before, introduce yourself and tell them you’re glad to meet them. If they don’t know you well, the shy person is unlikely to begin chatting, so you'll have to lead the discussion. Be mindful of this during the interaction and don’t expect tons of chatter from them.  You can start off by saying something like “Did you know there were free donuts in the break room?” Don't be put off or insulted if they only provide short or brief answers at first. It may take them some time to warm up. Before or while you speak to them, make note of things they do well or things they like.  If you know where they’re from or things they’re interested in, use this to make conversation. This helps ensure that they have something to talk about. You can say something like “So, you’re from Fayetteville?  I used to go there a lot with my mom.  Did you like living there?” or “I noticed that you were wearing a Princess Leia shirt the other day.  I really like Star Wars!  What’s your favorite movie of the series? A shy person may feel uncomfortable talking about themselves, but they may enjoy having conversations about other topics. You can get to know them by asking for recommendations for books, shows, movies, and fun activities.  For example, if you notice them reading a book, ask them if it is good. You can ask if they have read the author before or if they have reading suggestions. If you're at a social function, you can ask the person what they enjoy doing in the area. Where are their favorite places to go? Shy people tend to dislike small talk, so avoid discussions of things like the weather.  Instead, focus on things like their likes, dislikes, work, children or academic interests. You might say something like “I remember that you used to be really interested in WWII.  Have you been to any cool museums or seen any recent movies about it?” Instead of asking questions that only require one or two word responses, dig a little deeper.  Since shy folks tend to dislike small talk, ask them questions that will help you get to know them better and that’ll allow them to talk about themselves. Ask things like “So, why’d you decide to move here?” or “How do you get up so early to work out every day?” Even when you aren’t shy, awkward silences can be painful.  Instead of sitting in silence, introduce them to friends of yours who are nearby, or have conversation topics on hand to continue your talk.  You can even offer to go get them a drink or snack if you are at a luncheon/mixer.  For instance, you might discuss school, work, or the latest political or social headlines. At large parties or social functions, it may be difficult to hold a long conversation. If the conversation stalls, ask the person if they want to meet up another time to continue your talk one on one. Even when someone is shy, you can still tell if they’re engaged in the discussion.  If they’re responsive to your open-ended questions, looking at you, or smiling, they’re probably interested.  However, if they have their body turned away from you and have a blank facial expression, they might not want to be bothered. Give them their space if they’re uninterested. Remember that that’s okay - at least you tried.  You can say something like “Well, I’m glad we got to talk, Josh.  Hope you have a good day.”