Relapsing polychondritis

Relapsing polychondritis

Relapsing polychondritis
Relapsing polychondritis is a rare but serious disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly begins to attack its own cartilaginous tissue. Cartilage is the flexible material that forms our ears, nose, certain joints, the trachea, and even parts of the heart. When this tissue is damaged, inflammation, pain, and changes occur.
The disease is called relapsing because it usually progresses with recurring episodes: there are times when the disease is active, and then it weakens or almost disappears. After this calm period, inflammations may appear again.

What are the main signs?

Most often, the disease first affects the

cartilage of the ears

. A characteristic feature is unilateral or bilateral damage to the outer ear. The ear becomes red, painful, and swollen, while the earlobe usually remains unaffected. Many patients describe that their ears burn or hurt even when touched. It may lead to the development of "soft ears" or a "cauliflower ear" appearance.
The next common symptom is inflammation of the

nasal cartilage

. The nose may become red, painful, and over time deformed, creating the so-called "saddle nose" appearance.
Another symptom is damage to the throat, trachea, and bronchi, which is also quite common. Unlike other symptoms, this one can be life-threatening by causing softening of the tracheal rings, known as chondromalacia. This can lead to critical narrowing of the trachea—stenosis—and result in suffocation. Patients may develop hoarseness, shortness of breath, ineffective dry cough, and pain in the front of the neck.
The disease can also affect the joints. A characteristic feature is damage to the cartilaginous connections of the sternum, which causes chest pain. Peripheral joints may also be affected, leading to swelling and pain.
Among the relatively rare symptoms are inflammatory eye diseases, up to blindness; skin manifestations such as various rashes, nodules, ulcers; hematopoietic system disorders leading to aplastic anemia; and genitourinary involvement, up to renal failure.
These symptoms are much rarer than the main ones (ears, nose, and airways), but their occurrence can make the disease life-threatening.
There are no specific laboratory or special tests for this disease; diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical signs and examinations.

Laboratory tests

show no specific markers. A complete blood test may reveal elevated inflammatory markers, anemia, or leukocytosis.

Instrumental studies

include CT and MRI to assess airway damage.

Biopsy

is sometimes used but is not always conclusive.
Considering the difficulty of diagnosing this disease, unfortunately, patients often reach rheumatologists too late. They are treated by ENT specialists, pulmonologists, ophthalmologists, therapists, and are referred to rheumatologists at rather advanced stages of the disease. Therefore, close collaboration among narrow specialists is very important for the patient’s benefit.
In the past, this disease had a fairly high mortality rate due to late diagnosis and ineffective treatment. Today, the development of medicine, especially in the field of autoimmune disease diagnosis and treatment, has led to much higher effectiveness in early diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
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Fungal Skin Infections
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Fungal skin infections are considered one of the most common skin diseases in the world, primarily caused by the fungi Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. Prevalence According to research, about 20–25% of the world's population will experience a fungal skin infection at least once in their lifetime. Fungal infections can affect people of any age, but they are most common in children and athletes. They are characterized by high contagiousness and frequent recurrence. Fungal infections are also common among populations living in hot and humid climates. Clinical Manifestations The clinical picture of a fungal infection depends on the type of fungus, the area of infection, and the patient's immune system. The main manifestations include circular, pink-red patches with distinct outlines, where the center often remains white or normal skin color. Sometimes, there is itching, burning, scaling, or even the formation of small blisters, especially in the spaces between the toes or on the scalp. Diagnosis To diagnose a fungal infection, a skin scraping is performed to detect fungi. In some cases, a culture is performed to determine the type of fungus. Treatment The treatment for fungal skin infections depends on the area and severity of the infection. • Mild and moderate cases – topical antifungal agents are used first. • Severe or widespread cases – systemic antifungal drugs are used for 2–6 weeks, with the dosage being individualized. In some cases, the course of treatment may be extended to reduce the risk of recurrence. Prevention • Maintain personal hygiene rules and do not share personal items. • Take a shower after sweating. • Do not leave certain areas of your skin moist. • Do not walk barefoot in public restrooms, saunas, or locker rooms. • Wear clean, dry, cotton underwear. • Keep your nails short and clean. • Do not share sports equipment, towels, or other personal items with other people. • When working with soil, wear protective clothing such as gloves, boots, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. • Note that pets can be a source of fungal infections, so it is necessary to monitor their hygiene and health status. Conclusion Fungal skin infections are common but treatable diseases. Successful treatment and prevention require a comprehensive treatment plan, including topical and systemic therapy, hygiene measures, and patient education. Awareness of fungal skin infections and timely treatment reduce sanitary issues and the spread of the disease in society. Furthermore, promoting a healthy lifestyle, including strengthening the body's defense mechanisms, plays an important role in preventing fungal infections.
What Is Botulism?
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What is Measles?
26 September 2025
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that causes fever, cough, and a characteristic skin rash. The infection is transmitted by airborne droplets and can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia and inflammation of the brain. Furthermore, having had measles weakens the immune system, making a person more susceptible to other infections. Before mass vaccination, measles claimed millions of lives annually worldwide. The disease is also called ordinary measles, 10-day measles, or rubeola. It should be distinguished from rubella (German measles)—which is a completely different infection. Symptoms of Measles Signs of the disease develop gradually. First, a high temperature, cough, runny nose, and red eyes appear. After 2–3 days, characteristic white spots on a background of red dots—the so-called Koplik's spots—appear in the oral cavity. Then, a rash appears, typically on the 3rd–5th day of the illness. Key symptoms: • high temperature; • dry, "barking" cough; • red or inflamed eyes; • runny nose; • weakness, fatigue; • white spots with a red border in the mouth; • extensive skin rash; • sore throat and muscle aches; • headache; • sometimes—digestive disorders (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain). The rash usually begins on the face, then spreads down the body: neck, chest, back, arms, legs. In light-skinned people, it looks red; in dark-skinned people, it may be purple or less noticeable. The spots can merge, but itching rarely occurs. Causes and Transmission Routes The causative agent of the disease is the measles virus (Morbillivirus). It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. Virus particles can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the infected person leaves. Infection can occur: • by being close to a sick person; • through shaking hands, kissing, sharing food or drinks; • through objects and surfaces contaminated with viral particles; • from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases: if one sick person and 10 unvaccinated people are in a room, 9 of them will become infected. The risk of transmission remains from the onset of the first symptoms, for 4 days before the rash appears and for another 4 days after. Risk Factors Severe progression and complications are more likely to develop in: • children younger than 5 years and adults older than 20 years;• pregnant women; • people with a weakened immune system. Measles Complications The consequences of the infection can range from mild to life-threatening: • otitis (ear infection); • dehydration due to severe diarrhea; • bronchitis, laryngitis; • pneumonia; • vision loss; • encephalitis (brain swelling); • subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) — a rare but fatal infection of the nervous system that occurs years later; • measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE), more common in people with immunodeficiency; • death. Infection during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth and low birth weight for the child. Diagnosis A doctor may suspect measles based on the appearance of the rash and the patient's complaints. To confirm the diagnosis, the following are used: • blood test; • nose or throat swab; • urine test. Treatment There is no specific cure for measles. The illness lasts about 10–14 days if complications do not arise. In a hospital setting, patients may be prescribed Vitamin A, which reduces the likelihood of severe consequences. However, it should not be taken without medical supervision: an overdose is dangerous for the liver and other organs. To ease symptoms at home, it is recommended to: • drink plenty of fluids; • get bed rest; • take antipyretics and pain relievers (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen); • gargle with a saline solution. Seek immediate medical attention if there is: • difficulty breathing; • chest pain; • sensitivity to light; • severe headache or neck stiffness; • confusion; • severe vomiting or diarrhea. Prognosis Measles can cause a severe course: approximately 2 out of 5 people who become ill require hospitalization. Even after recovery, a person remains more vulnerable to other infections. Dangerous complications can develop months or even years after the illness. Prevention The best way to protect yourself is vaccination. Vaccinations are given in childhood, but they can also be administered to adults if necessary. Illness after vaccination is extremely rare, especially if both doses are administered. One dose provides less protection.

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