Ear Aches
Things we treat
You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache. That’s because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear. Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.”
If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis. In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions. Learn more about sore throat symptoms.
Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain. Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore.
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears. You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis. The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn. To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw. Try not to clench your teeth. You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep. This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain. Eating soft foods will help, too.
Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles. If your ear pain is severe, doesn’t go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.
Dental Pain
Things we treat
A toothache is a pain in or around a tooth that may be caused by: Tooth decay, Abscessed tooth, Tooth fracture, A damaged filling, Repetitive motions, such as chewing gum or grinding teeth, or Infected gums.
Whether it’s sharp and sudden or dull and constant, tooth pain is hard to ignore.A toothache or tooth pain is caused when the nerve in the root of a tooth or surrounding a tooth is irritated. Dental (tooth) infection, decay, injury, or loss of a tooth are the most common causes of dental pain. Pain may also occur after an extraction (tooth is pulled out). Pain sometimes originates from other areas and radiates to the jaw, thus appearing to be tooth pain. The most common areas include the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint or TMJ), ear pain, sinuses, and even occasional heart problems.
Bacteria growing inside your mouth can contribute to gum disease and dental decay, both of which can cause pain. Often, gum disease will not result in any pain.
You can prevent the majority of dental problems by flossing, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. The dentist may apply sealants and fluoride, which are especially important for children’s teeth.
Toothache Causes
Toothache occurs from inflammation of the central portion of the tooth called pulp. The pulp contains nerve endings that are very sensitive to pain. Inflammation to the pulp or pulpitis may be caused by dental cavities, trauma, and infection. Referred pain from the jaw may cause you to have symptoms of a toothache. The first step toward relief is to find out what’s wrong.
Could It Be Sensitive Teeth?
If your teeth are healthy, a hard outer layer of enamel covers them to protect the nerves inside. The enamel can wear away over time. When the middle layer of your tooth is exposed, anything you eat or drink can reach your nerve endings.
Gum disease can make your teeth sensitive. Your gums shrink away from your teeth, and that exposes the roots. You also can damage your gums if you brush too hard.
A recent cleaning or a new filling may make you sensitive for a few weeks. Many people feel it after whitening treatments. An old filling that’s loose or damaged can cause it, too.
Pink Eye/Stye
Things we treat
Pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, is a infection of the eye’s conjunctiva usually caused by a bacteria or virus that results in red, itchy, painful eyes. Learn more below.
Conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid.
Children get it a lot. It can be highly contagious (it spreads rapidly in schools and day-care centers), but it’s rarely serious. It’s very unlikely to damage your vision, especially if you find it and treat it quickly. When you take care to prevent its spread and do all the things your doctor recommends, pinkeye clears up with no long-term problems.
Pink eye is characterized by redness and swelling of the surface of the eye, as well as discharge from the eye. Styes are characterized by a raised painful bump, often near the inner corner of the eye. Both conditions can be caused by bacterial or viral infection, allergies, or environmental irritants such as smoke or chemicals.
Urinary Problems
Things we treat
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection in any part of your urinary system, which includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Learn more below.
The symptoms of a UTI can include
- A burning feeling when you pee
- A frequent or intense urge to pee, even though little comes out when you do
- Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling pee
- Feeling tired or shaky
- Fever or chills (a sign that the infection may have reached your kidneys)
- Pain or pressure in your back or lower abdomen
- Types of UTIs
- An infection can happen in different parts of your urinary tract. Each type has a different name, based on where it is.
Cystitis(bladder): You might feel like you need to pee a lot, or it might hurt when you pee. You might also have lower belly pain and cloudy or bloody urine.
Pyelonephritis(kidneys): This can cause fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and pain in your upper back or side.
Urethritis(urethra): This can cause a discharge and burning when you pee.
Athlete’s Foot
Asthma Diagnosis and Management
Most cases of athlete’s foot can be effectively treated with over-the-counter antifungal products and proper hygiene practices. At TNC Walk-In Clinic, we recommend washing and thoroughly drying your feet twice daily, including between the toes, and changing socks or stockings each day. To help manage the infection, apply antifungal powder to your feet and inside your shoes daily, and use antifungal creams or sprays as directed. It’s crucial to continue treatment for one to two weeks after symptoms have resolved to prevent recurrence. For optimal results, ensure your feet receive adequate air and wear synthetic socks that wick moisture away. Choose shoes made from breathable materials to minimize fungal growth. While most cases respond well to these treatments, persistent or severe infections may require medical evaluation. If over-the-counter remedies don’t resolve your symptoms, visit us for a thorough assessment and advanced treatment options.
Cough/Cold
Things we treat
The common cold, including chest cold and head cold, and seasonal flu are caused by viruses. Use over-the-counter cold medications to relieve symptoms including sore throat, runny nose, congestion, and cough. Flu symptoms are similar, but include fever, headache and muscle soreness. See a doctor who may prescribe antiviral medications Relenza or Tamiflu. Learn more below.
When you wake up sneezing, coughing, and have that achy, feverish, can’t move a muscle feeling, how do you know whether you have cold symptoms or the flu?
It’s important to know the difference between flu and cold symptoms. A cold is a milder respiratory illness than the flu. While cold symptoms can make you feel bad for a few days, flu symptoms can make you feel quite ill for a few days to weeks. The flu can also result in serious health problems such as pneumonia and hospitalizations.
Flu
Things we treat
If you are experiencing the symptoms of a cold coupled with chills, body aches, and/or fatigue, you may have the flu. You should seek medical attention for treatment as soon as possible.
Unlike cold symptoms, signs of the flu tend to come on suddenly. You might have:
- Fever above 100 F
- Severe aches in your muscles and joints
- Weakness or severe fatigue
- Warm, flushed skin and red, watery eyes
- Chills
- A headache
- A dry cough
- A sore throat and runny nose
- Vomiting and diarrhea with flu is more common in children.
Get medical help right away if you have:
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in your chest or belly
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe vomiting
- These symptoms can mean your illness is severe.
Asthma
Asthma Diagnosis and Management
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing. This can result in symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness, which may be triggered by allergens, exercise, respiratory infections, or environmental factors. At TNC Walk-In Clinic, we offer expert diagnosis and management of asthma through comprehensive assessments and personalized treatment plans. Our goal is to help you control your asthma symptoms, reduce flare-ups, and improve your overall respiratory health with tailored medications and lifestyle strategies.
What Happens During an Allergic Reaction?
It starts when you come into contact with a trigger that you inhale, swallow, or get on your skin. In response, your body starts to make a protein called IgE, which grabs onto the allergen. Then histamine and other chemicals get released into the blood. That causes the symptoms you notice.
What Are the Symptoms?
Your symptoms depend on how you’re exposed — through the air, your skin, food, or through an insect sting.
If you’ve got a nasal allergy (one that’s triggered by something you inhale), common symptoms include:
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Itchy, runny nose
- Feeling tired or ill
Common symptoms of a skin allergy include rashes and hives (a rash with raised red patches). Your skin may be red, itchy, or swollen.
Food allergies can also cause stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If an insect sting was the trigger, you’ll have swelling, redness, and pain where it stung you.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Most go away shortly after the exposure stops.
Mild ones may be almost unnoticeable. You might just feel a little “off.”
Moderate symptoms can make you feel ill, as if you’ve got a cold or even the flu.
Severe allergic reactions are extreme.
Is It Anaphylaxis?
The most severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. It affects your whole body. Symptoms can include:
- Hives and itching all over
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Hoarseness or tightness in the throat
- Swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, or throat
- Tingling in the hands, feet, lips, or scalp
Anaphylaxis is life-threatening, so call 911 right away. If you have an epinephrine auto-injector, use it and repeat after 5 to 15 minutes if your symptoms haven’t improved. You’ll still need medical care right after you give yourself the shots, even if your symptoms seem to stop, because a delayed reaction could still happen.
Allergies symptoms may include:
- Itchy Eyes
- Sneezing
- Are feeling faint or have fainted
- Runny Nose
Cold Sores
Managing Herpes Simplex Virus
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) affects up to 90% of people globally, with many experiencing cold sores as a common symptom. The initial outbreak of cold sores can be particularly severe, sometimes causing significant discomfort and illness, especially in children. After the first infection, your immune system typically produces antibodies that may prevent future outbreaks. However, it’s not uncommon for people to experience recurring cold sores even after the initial infection. At TNC Walk-In Clinic, we provide comprehensive care for HSV, offering effective treatments to manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of outbreaks. If you are experiencing cold sores or other symptoms, our team can help with personalized treatment plans to address your needs and improve your quality of life.
Cold Sore Symptoms
Cold sores are most likely to show up on the outside of your mouth and lips, but you can also get them on your nose and cheeks. You may get cold sores as late as 20 days after you’re infected. The sore might appear near where the virus entered your body.
Cold sores happen in stages
- You have a tingling, burning, or itching feeling.
- About 12 to 24 hours later, blisters form. The area becomes red, swollen, and painful.
- The blisters break open, and fluid comes out. This usually lasts 2 or 3 days.
- A scab forms on the sore. It might crack or bleed.
- The scab falls off.
You might also have red or swollen gums, swollen glands in your neck, fever, or muscle aches.
First-time infections can also cause:
- Burning and pain inside your mouth
- Sore throat
- Pain when swallowing
- Headache
- Upset stomach
Scabies
Things we treat
Scabies is a skin condition caused by a human itch mite, and can cause severe itching accompanied by a characteristic rash. Scabies is typically transmitted by person-to-person contact, and are most commonly seen on the breasts or genitals, on the waist line, between the fingers, and in the wrist, elbow or knees.
Scabies is not an infection, but an infestation. Tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei set up shop in the outer layers of human skin. The skin does not take kindly to the invasion. As the mites burrow and lay eggs inside the skin, the infestation leads to relentless itching and an angry rash.
Scabies Symptoms
When a person is infested with scabies for the first time, it can take four to six weeks for the skin to react. The most common symptoms are:
- Intense itching, especially at night
- A pimple-like rash
- Scales or blisters
- Sores caused by scratching