Spiders - Better Health Channel.
Australia has about 2,000 species of spiders. Most spiders are relatively harmless to humans. First aid for a venomous spider bite depends on the species of spider. If in doubt, always seek medical attention. Spiders are members of the class ... [... more]
Better Health |
Print fact sheet - Alcohol
Alcohol is mainly comprised of ethanol, plus a very small amount of methanol. When you consume an alcoholic drink, your body breaks down the ethanol first, and relatively harmless by-products are produced. Next the methanol breaks down and ... [... more]
Burke's Backyard |
Abdominal pain in adults
Abdominal pain is pain felt anywhere from below your ribs to your pelvis. Serious causes include appendicitis and pregnancy problems. However, most abdominal pain is harmless and goes away without special treatment. Abdominal pain is pain felt ... [... more]
Better Health |
Ovulation pain
About one in five women experience pain and discomfort during ovulation. In most cases, ovulation pain is harmless. However, it is sometimes symptomatic of medical conditions including endometriosis. Ovulation is a phase of the female menstrual ... [... more]
Better Health |
Impetigo - school sores
Impetigo (school sores) is a highly contagious skin infection caused by two different bacteria, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. It is generally harmless, but can be serious for young babies. The infection is characterised by inflamed blisters ... [... more]
Better Health |
Ear wax - Better Health Channel.
The ear canal cleans itself with a waxy secretion called cerumen. Sometimes, the wax builds up and causes symptoms, including mild deafness and a sensation of fullness inside the ear. This condition is harmless and easily treated. The ear is made ... [... more]
Better Health |
Breast conditions other than breast cancer
Most changes in breast tissue aren't cancerous. Some breast conditions are harmless and don't need any treatment, while others might indicate an increased risk of developing breast cancer some time in the future. The vast majority of breast ... [... more]
Better Health |
Penis problems - Q & A
A range of questions on the penis. Our experts provide the answers. There are many causes of harmless lumps on the penis. Many young men have a ring of small lumps around the rim of the penis, called pearly penile papules. These are normal, are ... [... more]
Better Health |
Mouth ulcers
A mouth ulcer is the loss of part of the delicate tissue lining inside the mouth (mucous membrane). The most common cause is mechanical injury, such as biting your cheek. In most cases, mouth ulcers are harmless and clear up in a few days. A ... [... more]
Better Health |
Growing pains
Growing pains usually start to affect children when they are three to five years old. They may continue to affect them into early adolescence. Why there is pain is not known. Growing pains are harmless and will go away without special ... [... more]
Better Health |
E coli
E. coli is the name of a group of bacteria - there are many hundreds of types. Most types of E. coli are harmless, and live in the bowel of healthy people or animals. The full name of E.coli is Escherichia coli. Center for Disease Control USA, ... [... more]
Child & Youth Health |
Birthmarks
Any mark that is present on the skin at birth or that develops soon afterwards is called a birthmark. They are very common and most children have a mark of some sort. Most are harmless and some go away as the child grows. Occasionally a birthmark ... [... more]
Child & Youth Health |
