The ABC Homeopathy Forum
Really need help with bad eczema
Hi, sorry for this long post but i really need helpi am female 24 yrs have dermatitis on my both hands, they are very dry, cracking and bleeding when i am bending my fingers, which itself is almost impossible. This all started some years ago after exposure to detergent. The problem is worse in cold weather. I had atopic dermatitis as a small child.
I am breastfeeding my 4 month old who also got eczema 1 month ago, first in the face and scalp, then over the whole body. He is not eating solids.
Generally about myself i can say that im very tired all of the time and get dizzy alot, hard to stand up and gets dizzy from raising arms over head. When i become stressed or too hungry i hyperventilate and almost faint. I crave sugary food. Can you suggest something?
Dalia on 2006-11-08
This is just a forum. Assume posts are not from medical professionals.
well as far as the dermatitis goes. I have suffered from eczema my whole life, i used to get it badly on my hands and the only thing that has controlled it is constant moisturising with aqueous cream, every time i touch water, i moisturise my hands, this is the only thing that keeps it at bay, always keep your hands covered up in cold weather aswell. Also a good thing to do is to by cotton mitts/gloves, should be able to pick these up from your chemist, slap on a very greasy waxy moisturiser, ask your doctor which one to use and put the gloves on over your hands and the moisturiser and go to sleep, the next day it will be so much better, im not sayin this will stop yours but it certainly stopped my eczema. Hope this helps.
janey.84 last decade
No matter what anyone posts on this forum, take some time to review the options, you will see that there are different schools of thought, even on this homeopathy forum.
like you, I have atopic dermatitis all my life, but my eczema got really bad in the past few years. My infant son also had very bad eczema. Both of us are doing much better through homeopathy. Look for my old posts...
i'm no homeopath, but i've experimented with everything, even a few different homeopathic remedies. in my experience, and opinion, the key is getting the correct remedy for the totality of your condition, eczema is just one aspect. its very difficult to chose the correct remedy, so it would be best if you could find a very good homeopath to help you, in addition to whatever advice you get here, before you decide what to do... don't jump into anything right away, its a mistake I made.
for eczema there are many different possible homeopathic remedies, chosing the right one is critical. for me, the effect has been nothing short of amazing, though it has only been about a month and I still have a ways to go. i don't even use moisturizer anymore.
John
like you, I have atopic dermatitis all my life, but my eczema got really bad in the past few years. My infant son also had very bad eczema. Both of us are doing much better through homeopathy. Look for my old posts...
i'm no homeopath, but i've experimented with everything, even a few different homeopathic remedies. in my experience, and opinion, the key is getting the correct remedy for the totality of your condition, eczema is just one aspect. its very difficult to chose the correct remedy, so it would be best if you could find a very good homeopath to help you, in addition to whatever advice you get here, before you decide what to do... don't jump into anything right away, its a mistake I made.
for eczema there are many different possible homeopathic remedies, chosing the right one is critical. for me, the effect has been nothing short of amazing, though it has only been about a month and I still have a ways to go. i don't even use moisturizer anymore.
John
john34 last decade
Case Taking Sheet Part 1
GENERAL SYMPTOMS (Related to you in person)
Age: Sex: Built: Occupation:
1. Do you have any strange, rare, peculiar, unusual or personal symptom, feeling or a recurring thought?
2. Write down all your marked mental symptoms taking the guidelines as suggested below:
- Deliriums, Hallucinations, Fancies or Illusions.
- Dominant emotions in your temperament ( depressed, angry, shame, jealous, absent mindedness, fickle mindedness, hurry, agreeable, arguing, moody, suspicion, others.. etc )
- Your fears and recurring dreams.
- Loss in memory if at all (names, words, streets etc.)
- Propensities ( tendency to do/think about a certain act)
3. Your response to changes in environment
- Feel worse in the morning / afternoon / evening / night.
- Feel worse in cold or hot weather / climates.
- Feel worse in stormy or calm weather.
- Feel worse in dry or damp weather.
- Feel worse in motion / touch / jar / any particular position.
- Feel worse in bright light / loud sound / sharp smell etc.
4. What are your cravings and aversions in food?
- Cravings:
- Aversions:
5. Describe your menstrual affections ( if any )
- symptoms before / during / after
- early / late
- scanty / excessive
6. Write down the diseases running in your family.
7. Write down if you notice any abnormality with your sleep, hunger, thirst and bowel movements.
8. What are the various diseases / surgery which you have overcome from in your life and do you think your present illness is having a relation to the disease or after effects of the drugs taken during the time.
Case Taking Sheet Part - 2
PARTICULAR SYMPTOMS (Related to the parts affected in your body)
9. Do you have any strange, rare, peculiar, unusual or personal symptom, feeling or a recurring pain in the affected parts?
10. Describe your physical sufferings in the specific locations.
11. How does the suffering / pain get aggravated or ameliorated with the changing environment as suggested below:
- Time ( morning, afternoon, evening, night)
- Hot, cold, dry and wet environments.
- Touch, pressure, motion, jar, position, rubbing etc.
12. Do you think there is a specific pattern of occurance of the suffering with regard to time, period or any internal biological changes in the body?
GENERAL SYMPTOMS (Related to you in person)
Age: Sex: Built: Occupation:
1. Do you have any strange, rare, peculiar, unusual or personal symptom, feeling or a recurring thought?
2. Write down all your marked mental symptoms taking the guidelines as suggested below:
- Deliriums, Hallucinations, Fancies or Illusions.
- Dominant emotions in your temperament ( depressed, angry, shame, jealous, absent mindedness, fickle mindedness, hurry, agreeable, arguing, moody, suspicion, others.. etc )
- Your fears and recurring dreams.
- Loss in memory if at all (names, words, streets etc.)
- Propensities ( tendency to do/think about a certain act)
3. Your response to changes in environment
- Feel worse in the morning / afternoon / evening / night.
- Feel worse in cold or hot weather / climates.
- Feel worse in stormy or calm weather.
- Feel worse in dry or damp weather.
- Feel worse in motion / touch / jar / any particular position.
- Feel worse in bright light / loud sound / sharp smell etc.
4. What are your cravings and aversions in food?
- Cravings:
- Aversions:
5. Describe your menstrual affections ( if any )
- symptoms before / during / after
- early / late
- scanty / excessive
6. Write down the diseases running in your family.
7. Write down if you notice any abnormality with your sleep, hunger, thirst and bowel movements.
8. What are the various diseases / surgery which you have overcome from in your life and do you think your present illness is having a relation to the disease or after effects of the drugs taken during the time.
Case Taking Sheet Part - 2
PARTICULAR SYMPTOMS (Related to the parts affected in your body)
9. Do you have any strange, rare, peculiar, unusual or personal symptom, feeling or a recurring pain in the affected parts?
10. Describe your physical sufferings in the specific locations.
11. How does the suffering / pain get aggravated or ameliorated with the changing environment as suggested below:
- Time ( morning, afternoon, evening, night)
- Hot, cold, dry and wet environments.
- Touch, pressure, motion, jar, position, rubbing etc.
12. Do you think there is a specific pattern of occurance of the suffering with regard to time, period or any internal biological changes in the body?
♡ rishimba last decade
Arnica 6c in the wet dose is a remedy that I have prescribed for many patients, some of them chronic and have suffered from Eczema for many years, who have responded very quickly.
The wet dose is made by inserting 3 pellets or preferably 2 drops of the liquid remedy in Ethanol, into a 500ml bottle of spring water from which about an inch of water has been poured out to leave an air gap.
A teaspoonful is the dose taken twice daily after shaking the bottle vigourously, preferably before meals.
Another bottle of water is also made in the same manner with the Arnica 6c which must be kept separate from the first bottle and this is used to wet a wad of cotton wool with the water which is now the remedy, which is dabbed on the eczema lesions about once every 2 hours. Care must be used not to irritate the lesions.
You should normally be able to observe some improvement within a week.
The wet dose is made by inserting 3 pellets or preferably 2 drops of the liquid remedy in Ethanol, into a 500ml bottle of spring water from which about an inch of water has been poured out to leave an air gap.
A teaspoonful is the dose taken twice daily after shaking the bottle vigourously, preferably before meals.
Another bottle of water is also made in the same manner with the Arnica 6c which must be kept separate from the first bottle and this is used to wet a wad of cotton wool with the water which is now the remedy, which is dabbed on the eczema lesions about once every 2 hours. Care must be used not to irritate the lesions.
You should normally be able to observe some improvement within a week.
♡ Joe De Livera last decade
thank you all for replying, i will answer dr rishimbas questionnaire:
and by the way i didnt mention that i have scoliosis and pain in my back as a result
case taking sheet part 1
general symptoms (related to you in person)
age: 24 sex: f built: tall with average weight occupation: stay-at-home mother
1. do you have any strange, rare, peculiar, unusual or personal symptom, feeling or a recurring thought? not really
2. write down all your marked mental symptoms taking the guidelines as suggested below:
- deliriums, hallucinations, fancies or illusions.
- dominant emotions in your temperament ( depressed, angry, shame, jealous, absent mindedness, fickle mindedness, hurry, agreeable, arguing, moody, suspicion, others.. etc )
- your fears and recurring dreams.
- loss in memory if at all (names, words, streets etc.)
- propensities ( tendency to do/think about a certain act)
i am a pretty calm person but i become easily irritated and angry of my children, am a bit absent minded especially about finding the way to places and where i put things, am slow in completing tasks and slow eater
3. your response to changes in environment
- feel worse in the morning / afternoon / evening / night.
- feel worse in cold or hot weather / climates.
- feel worse in stormy or calm weather.
- feel worse in dry or damp weather.
- feel worse in motion / touch / jar / any particular position.
- feel worse in bright light / loud sound / sharp smell etc.
my problem of dizziness and sleepiness is worst in the morning and forenoon, i cannot bear to stand up for longer periods, become better from being in open air (especially cold weather), i have motion sickness, the dermatitis is worse in cold and dry weather. have photosensitivity. feet always cold.
4. what are your cravings and aversions in food?
- cravings: sugar
- aversions: acidic fruits such as oranges and kiwi
5. describe your menstrual affections ( if any )
- symptoms before / during / after
- early / late
- scanty / excessive
period hasn't returned since i am breastfeeding, before it was very regular and a normal amount
6. write down the diseases running in your family.
mother has rheumatism & asthma, one sibling has allergies (citrus fruits & food coloring), one has aspergers syndrome
7. write down if you notice any abnormality with your sleep, hunger, thirst and bowel movements.
i am very hungry & thirst all of the time & am sleeping ok (7-8 hours) but i still wake up and felt as i didnt sleep alot
8. what are the various diseases / surgery which you have overcome from in your life and do you think your present illness is having a relation to the disease or after effects of the drugs taken during the time.
i moved abroad a few years ago and was ill alot and took very much medication, overuse of aspirine led to stomach inflammation, got rubella despite being vaccinated, had dysenteria and frequent diarrheas, lost very much weight (13 kgs) but gained back as i returned to home country
having episiotomy with my firstborn in that same time period was very traumatic, healing was poor and am still experiencing pain sometimes
case taking sheet part - 2
particular symptoms (related to the parts affected in your body)
9. do you have any strange, rare, peculiar, unusual or personal symptom, feeling or a recurring pain in the affected parts? no
10. describe your physical sufferings in the specific locations.
dermatitis in hands, dry rough skin which cracks everywhere, problem was triggered by dishwashing detergent, washing hand frequently and cold weather makes it worse, no cream works.
scoliosis beneath the right sholder blade
dizziness worst before eating, sometimes when hungry, thirsty, stressed or sad it develops into hysteria with rapid shallow breathing and feeling of faintness, hands and mouth become numb, after drinking & resting it clears up. felt i had low blood sugar but test said no.
11. how does the suffering / pain get aggravated or ameliorated with the changing environment as suggested below:
- time ( morning, afternoon, evening, night)
- hot, cold, dry and wet environments.
- touch, pressure, motion, jar, position, rubbing etc.
dermatitis: worse in cold weather
scoliosis pain: worse when sitting or working alot
dizziness: worse in the morning & noon, especially when hungry
12. do you think there is a specific pattern of occurance of the suffering with regard to time, period or any internal biological changes in the body? cant find any specific thing
thought i would write something about my personality, maybe it will be useful in solving the issue:
i am a rather shy introverted person, have poor posture, was very insecure and bullied in the school age, now i feel happy with a quiet family life, hate deadlines and working under pressure, love being pregnant and taking care of children and dream of large family, my own family was cold and not good in showing affection. all in all i am very happy and content about my life.
sorry for making it very long but i can't really find a good homeopath where i am at and i am very thankful for the help. if you have any more questions just ask.
and by the way i didnt mention that i have scoliosis and pain in my back as a result
case taking sheet part 1
general symptoms (related to you in person)
age: 24 sex: f built: tall with average weight occupation: stay-at-home mother
1. do you have any strange, rare, peculiar, unusual or personal symptom, feeling or a recurring thought? not really
2. write down all your marked mental symptoms taking the guidelines as suggested below:
- deliriums, hallucinations, fancies or illusions.
- dominant emotions in your temperament ( depressed, angry, shame, jealous, absent mindedness, fickle mindedness, hurry, agreeable, arguing, moody, suspicion, others.. etc )
- your fears and recurring dreams.
- loss in memory if at all (names, words, streets etc.)
- propensities ( tendency to do/think about a certain act)
i am a pretty calm person but i become easily irritated and angry of my children, am a bit absent minded especially about finding the way to places and where i put things, am slow in completing tasks and slow eater
3. your response to changes in environment
- feel worse in the morning / afternoon / evening / night.
- feel worse in cold or hot weather / climates.
- feel worse in stormy or calm weather.
- feel worse in dry or damp weather.
- feel worse in motion / touch / jar / any particular position.
- feel worse in bright light / loud sound / sharp smell etc.
my problem of dizziness and sleepiness is worst in the morning and forenoon, i cannot bear to stand up for longer periods, become better from being in open air (especially cold weather), i have motion sickness, the dermatitis is worse in cold and dry weather. have photosensitivity. feet always cold.
4. what are your cravings and aversions in food?
- cravings: sugar
- aversions: acidic fruits such as oranges and kiwi
5. describe your menstrual affections ( if any )
- symptoms before / during / after
- early / late
- scanty / excessive
period hasn't returned since i am breastfeeding, before it was very regular and a normal amount
6. write down the diseases running in your family.
mother has rheumatism & asthma, one sibling has allergies (citrus fruits & food coloring), one has aspergers syndrome
7. write down if you notice any abnormality with your sleep, hunger, thirst and bowel movements.
i am very hungry & thirst all of the time & am sleeping ok (7-8 hours) but i still wake up and felt as i didnt sleep alot
8. what are the various diseases / surgery which you have overcome from in your life and do you think your present illness is having a relation to the disease or after effects of the drugs taken during the time.
i moved abroad a few years ago and was ill alot and took very much medication, overuse of aspirine led to stomach inflammation, got rubella despite being vaccinated, had dysenteria and frequent diarrheas, lost very much weight (13 kgs) but gained back as i returned to home country
having episiotomy with my firstborn in that same time period was very traumatic, healing was poor and am still experiencing pain sometimes
case taking sheet part - 2
particular symptoms (related to the parts affected in your body)
9. do you have any strange, rare, peculiar, unusual or personal symptom, feeling or a recurring pain in the affected parts? no
10. describe your physical sufferings in the specific locations.
dermatitis in hands, dry rough skin which cracks everywhere, problem was triggered by dishwashing detergent, washing hand frequently and cold weather makes it worse, no cream works.
scoliosis beneath the right sholder blade
dizziness worst before eating, sometimes when hungry, thirsty, stressed or sad it develops into hysteria with rapid shallow breathing and feeling of faintness, hands and mouth become numb, after drinking & resting it clears up. felt i had low blood sugar but test said no.
11. how does the suffering / pain get aggravated or ameliorated with the changing environment as suggested below:
- time ( morning, afternoon, evening, night)
- hot, cold, dry and wet environments.
- touch, pressure, motion, jar, position, rubbing etc.
dermatitis: worse in cold weather
scoliosis pain: worse when sitting or working alot
dizziness: worse in the morning & noon, especially when hungry
12. do you think there is a specific pattern of occurance of the suffering with regard to time, period or any internal biological changes in the body? cant find any specific thing
thought i would write something about my personality, maybe it will be useful in solving the issue:
i am a rather shy introverted person, have poor posture, was very insecure and bullied in the school age, now i feel happy with a quiet family life, hate deadlines and working under pressure, love being pregnant and taking care of children and dream of large family, my own family was cold and not good in showing affection. all in all i am very happy and content about my life.
sorry for making it very long but i can't really find a good homeopath where i am at and i am very thankful for the help. if you have any more questions just ask.
Dalia last decade
Take three doses of SULPHUR 30C at 3 hours interval on any one morning.
Wait for a week and then start the treatment with PETROLEUM.
you need to take PETROLEUM 30C two doses a day in empty stomach for quite some 10 to 15 days. Try to take it 12 hours apart.
When you notice an aggravation or amelioration after a few days, taper it down to one a day for the next 3 to 4 days and then stop.
Come back after one month with the status.
Wait for a week and then start the treatment with PETROLEUM.
you need to take PETROLEUM 30C two doses a day in empty stomach for quite some 10 to 15 days. Try to take it 12 hours apart.
When you notice an aggravation or amelioration after a few days, taper it down to one a day for the next 3 to 4 days and then stop.
Come back after one month with the status.
♡ rishimba last decade
I tried to get sulphur but they said in my country there's only 30d instead of 30c, is that ok? How do i take it?
Dalia last decade
Hi Dalia
Rishimba might have been busy. He has e.mail address in his profile.
Send him an e.mail.
Murthy
Rishimba might have been busy. He has e.mail address in his profile.
Send him an e.mail.
Murthy
♡ gavinimurthy last decade
dalia,
sorry to reply late.
regarding your question, sulphur 30c would have been the right potency.
take 6 doses of suphur 30d at 4 hours interval. if you are taking wet dose, take 2 to 3 drops in some 2 teaspoon of water.
this should be enough to set up a reaction.
similarly, take 2 to 3 drops of petroleum 30c or 30d in some 2 teaspoon of water.
if you are using 30d potency, you may have to repeat the doses a little longer.
as soon as you see some changes in the eczema, you have to taper down the frequency and then stop.
wait and watch, keep us posted.
sorry to reply late.
regarding your question, sulphur 30c would have been the right potency.
take 6 doses of suphur 30d at 4 hours interval. if you are taking wet dose, take 2 to 3 drops in some 2 teaspoon of water.
this should be enough to set up a reaction.
similarly, take 2 to 3 drops of petroleum 30c or 30d in some 2 teaspoon of water.
if you are using 30d potency, you may have to repeat the doses a little longer.
as soon as you see some changes in the eczema, you have to taper down the frequency and then stop.
wait and watch, keep us posted.
♡ rishimba last decade
An update - I just started on petroleum a few days ago, but this is what happened after the sulphur: I don't have dizziness anymore, surprisingly i feel like a more clean person with the household tasks which i was always delaying before. I felt this was an appropriate remedy for me, BUT the eczema is unchanged.
Then when I started with petroleum there didnt really happen anything and I am confused because the eczema worsens in ups and downs so it's very hard to tell if I'm going through aggravation. I don't really see how it can be any more severe than this, I cant almost bend my fingers.
Also some days after I started I noticed two things: I had an infection beside my toenail, it's something I had many years ago and now it's come back. Second thing is that I am extremely forgetful beyond what is considered normal.
And now to make everything worse, I accidentally smelled a strong smelling herbal ointment this morning which had camphor and eucalyptus in it. I'm afraid that this may have antidoted the remedy. What can I do?
Then when I started with petroleum there didnt really happen anything and I am confused because the eczema worsens in ups and downs so it's very hard to tell if I'm going through aggravation. I don't really see how it can be any more severe than this, I cant almost bend my fingers.
Also some days after I started I noticed two things: I had an infection beside my toenail, it's something I had many years ago and now it's come back. Second thing is that I am extremely forgetful beyond what is considered normal.
And now to make everything worse, I accidentally smelled a strong smelling herbal ointment this morning which had camphor and eucalyptus in it. I'm afraid that this may have antidoted the remedy. What can I do?
Dalia last decade
since you have noticed a reaction with PETROLEUM 30D, you may stop the remedy and note all the changes for the next 10 days.
the toe-nail infection could be a sign of ' direction of cure ' but we cant conclude at this stage anything.
in the next 10 to 15 days if you notice an improvement in your eczema, you can conclude that the disease is taking its course back to the point where / how it started.
the toe-nail infection could be a sign of ' direction of cure ' but we cant conclude at this stage anything.
in the next 10 to 15 days if you notice an improvement in your eczema, you can conclude that the disease is taking its course back to the point where / how it started.
♡ rishimba last decade
by the way, dont worry about the camphor and eucalyptus as it happened this morning where as the reaction has already started earlier.
however, try to be vigilant in the future.
however, try to be vigilant in the future.
♡ rishimba last decade
Thank you for answering... So now i dont have to avoid any of the things like mint and caffeine after i stopped the remedy? Or should I wait for it to work? And can i stop just like that or should I take the remedy only once a day for some time like u said in a previous post?
Dalia last decade
Also I want you to note that I have been taking petroleum for only 5 days and it seemed a bit early for an aggravation.
Dalia last decade
aggravation can occur even after one dose. That depend on your sensitivity to the medicine.
You have to stop taking the remedy and observe response, as told by Rishimba.
Murthy
You have to stop taking the remedy and observe response, as told by Rishimba.
Murthy
♡ gavinimurthy last decade
Now I waited for 10 days and i saw a small improvement a few days ago, in that now i can bend my fingers completely. But the eczema is still very bad and i cant straighten the fingers out and when I try to do this the fingernails turn white as if there's pressure. But the toenail infection came and went fast. Should I take another dose of or just wait?
And second thing is that my baby is not improving at all, it seems he needs another remedy, he is so itchy and crying alot. So now I am wondering should I try something else for him or wait until i see if petroleum works? It seems it doesnt.
And second thing is that my baby is not improving at all, it seems he needs another remedy, he is so itchy and crying alot. So now I am wondering should I try something else for him or wait until i see if petroleum works? It seems it doesnt.
Dalia last decade
its good that you are responding to PETROLEUM.
please take 3 doses of PETROLEUM 200C at 4 hours interval.
wait for 10 days and report.
please take 3 doses of PETROLEUM 200C at 4 hours interval.
wait for 10 days and report.
♡ rishimba last decade
Ok but i could only get 200D so should i take 6 doses instead? and how far apart? And do u think my baby would be cured even though he is not showing signs of improvement? Or can i give something else to him? and if i do will not the petroleum that i am taking interfer with it?
Dalia last decade
please take only 3 doses of PETROLEUM 200D four hours apart.
your baby is an infant now and so we will not advise giving direct remedies to her.
she has good chances of getting cured by herself, as such skin symptoms in infants are seldom long lasting.
however, if the eczema persist in your baby, we will advise remedies to her later.
your baby is an infant now and so we will not advise giving direct remedies to her.
she has good chances of getting cured by herself, as such skin symptoms in infants are seldom long lasting.
however, if the eczema persist in your baby, we will advise remedies to her later.
♡ rishimba last decade
Thank you for replying. As for the baby I would say it is persistent, he has had the eczema for 3 months and is extremely itchy and irritable and not sleeping well at night. I am afraid that I will be compelled to put steroid cream on him if he doesn't improve any time soon. He is scratching so much that the skin becomes raw. And why not give direct remedies to him? I thought homeopathy is all safe and with no side effects.
Dalia last decade
we do not know how a 5 month old infant would respond to a particular potency and remedy.
nux vom is the antidote for petroleum and you should keep it handy. in case of any aggravation, you can give just one dose of nux vom 30c.
do not suppress the eczema with the help of steroid creams. once this is suppressed, the disease will manifest in a different form later in his life.
if its getting too acute, start with a dose of PETROLEUM 12C one dose. increase the potency gradually after intervals of 7 days if no improvement is seen. if you see some changes, good or bad, let it stabilise and then repeat the dose.
nux vom is the antidote for petroleum and you should keep it handy. in case of any aggravation, you can give just one dose of nux vom 30c.
do not suppress the eczema with the help of steroid creams. once this is suppressed, the disease will manifest in a different form later in his life.
if its getting too acute, start with a dose of PETROLEUM 12C one dose. increase the potency gradually after intervals of 7 days if no improvement is seen. if you see some changes, good or bad, let it stabilise and then repeat the dose.
♡ rishimba last decade
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Important
Information given in this forum is given by way of exchange of views only, and those views are not necessarily those of ABC Homeopathy. It is not to be treated as a medical diagnosis or prescription, and should not be used as a substitute for a consultation with a qualified homeopath or physician. It is possible that advice given here may be dangerous, and you should make your own checks that it is safe. If symptoms persist, seek professional medical attention. Bear in mind that even minor symptoms can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, and a timely diagnosis by your doctor could save your life.