VD for Valentine’s Day? In case you needed a reason to stay celibate this weekend, there’s a sexually transmitted fungus making the rounds and leaving its mark. Experts say the public should be aware of the nation’s “largest known outbreak” of Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII. Known as TMVII, or TM seven, the nasty business is the only … Read more
A potentially deadly fungus has been spreading throughout Tennessee, health officials have warned. Over 35 cases of histoplasmosis, a lung infection caused by exposure to the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, have been confirmed in a three-month period in the Maury and Williamson County area, according to numbers presented on Jan. 12 by the Tennessee Department of … Read more
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) confirmed the presence of a fungus linked to white-nose syndrome in bats. The fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), was discovered by officials during routine monitoring of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, according to an NDOW press release. Pd was confirmed in the sample by officials. But they stated that no bats … Read more
Fall fanatics go nuts for it! There’s one beloved pantry staple that embodies the essence of autumn, stirring up memories of baking, cozy drinks and holiday preparations. The swirl of warmth and sweetness also possesses bacteria-fighting powers and may improve learning and memory — but too much could be toxic. This popular spice has been … Read more
Corns and calluses a royal pain? The Queen’s got you. Foot surgeon Dr. Yolanda Ragland — who calls herself the “Queen of Toes” on social media — has some advice for preventing the common ailments, as well as some at-home cures. Foot surgeon Dr. Yolanda Ragland — who calls herself the “Queen of Toes” on … Read more
Watch your mouth! Imbalances in our oral microbiome — the millions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that live in our mouth — have been linked to many systemic diseases, including Alzheimer’s, diabetes and certain cancers. New research out of NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center ties over two dozen of these microbes to a … Read more
California health officials are warning about a surge in a potentially deadly fungal infection. The state is reporting 6,761 cases of valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, through July this year. That means California is on pace to top last year’s record of 12,595 cases. There were fewer than 1,000 cases logged in the year … Read more
Forget ghosts — what lurked in this house was far scarier. A Florida woman was hit with a barrage of mysterious symptoms soon after moving into her new home, starting with a simple headache and escalating into brain fog so severe she couldn’t remember entire conversations within hours. “I felt like I couldn’t think straight … Read more
Forty-four percent of Americans are self-conscious about their feet. That’s according to a new survey that examined how 2,000 people around the country feel about their feet. The survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Kerasal revealed that Gen X was the most embarrassed by their feet (49%), followed by millennials (45%) and Gen Z (42%). … Read more
Talk about bathing in nutrients. If you’re looking to eat healthier — and save some money by growing your own food at home — Welsh chef and influencer Gaz Oakley says there’s just about no easier plant to pick than one that you can grow in your bathroom. They’re high in antioxidants and nutrients that … Read more
You might be rinsing and repeating — but you’re probably not as clean as you think. Dermatologists say there’s one spot most people overlook in their shower routine where dirt, oil and dead skin cells can accumulate quickly. Left unchecked, that buildup can lead to bacterial infections, painful skin problems and a foul odor that … Read more
They’re buggin’ out. After lying dormant for nearly two decades, billions of sex-crazed cicadas will be emerging from their subterranean sleep pods hungry for love. However, this year, many will be extra horny thanks to the spread of a creepy, “The Last Of Us”-esque zombie fungus. “Nature is stranger than any science fiction that’s ever … Read more
Some researchers are sounding the alarm about a potentially deadly fungus that could spread throughout parts of the US, Europe and Asia. The study article, which was published in pre-print (not yet peer-reviewed) in Research Square, claims that “rising global temperatures” could lead to severe infections of Aspergillus, a fungal mold that thrives in warm, damp climates. … Read more
The latest skincare trend sweeping social media is a bit … primitive. The “caveman method” has gone viral after TikTokker Tia Zakher revealed she’s spent more than six weeks not using any products — including water — on her face in a bid to let her skin barrier “rebuild” itself naturally. But so far, her … Read more
A dangerous fungus spreading among US healthcare systems isn’t slowing down, reports claim. New research has revealed that Candida auris (C. auris) has spread rapidly in hospitals since it was first reported in 2016. In March 2023, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 4,000 new clinical cases of C. auris, dubbing it … Read more
This puts the fun in fungus. A Reddit user has gone viral on the social media platform after sharing a veritable science experiment involving a “sponge-looking” growth in her bathroom shower. Shocking images shared recently by user This-Scratch8016 received over 18,000 upvotes across several Reddit subforums, most notably in /r/MoldlyInteresting where she initially described the … Read more
Nailed it? Nail fungus is a frustratingly common ailment — about 10% of people are expected to get it at some point in their lives — and it can be tough to address because medications have to penetrate the nail deep enough to reach the infection within the nail bed. And because nails — especially … Read more
Oh, hell gnaw! As if you need another reason to avoid mice in NYC, researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have identified a fungus in city mice that aggravates food allergies. The study authors note that there’s a high prevalence of human asthma in NYC neighborhoods with an abundance of mouse sightings, suggesting that all that … Read more
Keep it clean! Dr. Jason Singh, a primary care doctor based in Virginia, is revealing the three body parts you’re probably overlooking in the shower — your belly button, feet and ears. “Let’s get real — when’s the last time you gave your belly button some TLC?” Singh asked his 96,300 TikTok followers in a clip last … Read more
Your old hair care routine isn’t cuttin’ it. Dr. Charles Puza, a Harvard-educated, board-certified dermatologist based in NYC, is revealing his holy trinity for healthy hair. In a TikTok last month, he recommended changing up shampoos, blow-drying hair on the cold setting and utilizing hair masks. 1. Stop using the same shampoo every day Puza … Read more