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Gross Body Facts: 20 Embarrassing Body Conditions

Nipple Hair, Pus And Warts: 20 Body Conditions That Gross Us Out
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Hair. It's not just the stuff on your head these days, it even has the tendency to show up on your chin or nipples, completely uninvited.

Unexpected hair is just one of many embarrassing body conditions that people have to deal with every day. While some can be common conditions like dandruff, warts or acne (and its best friend, 'backne'), other embarrassing conditions like hair loss, excessive sweating and rosacea (reddening of the skin) are considered medical conditions.

According to Toronto-based dermatologist Dr. Julia Carroll of Compass Dermatology, some conditions are inherited, while others like warts and nail fungus can be caused by damage to the skin. But people who have to deal with these conditions may not always feel so comfortable in their own skin.

"It depends on what the issue is, but most people have things that bother them. When we talk about skin, people with conditions often avoid activities that expose them like swimming or wearing a short skirt," she tells The Huffington Post Canada.

A zit before a big date is one thing, but Carroll says some people might not feel comfortable getting naked in front of another person at all. And for others, it can get worse. One 2010 study found that people with chronic skin disorders were also often depressed and had suicidal thoughts, while adults with acne had a higher chance of being unemployed, according to Psychology Today.

Most of these included examples, like farting and vaginal discharge, are completely natural and most people experience them.

"I would say none of these are killers. Some of these conditions that are ignored can make it more difficult for us to treat them," she says, adding that if you are ever worried about a condition, you should see your doctor first.

Here are 20 often common and gross things that happen to our bodies — and how you can fix them:

Excessive Sweating

20 Body Things That Annoy Us

Excessive Sweating:

WHAT IS IT: Yes, most of us sweat when we get nervous or master all those sit-ups, but if you experience excessive sweating throughout the day, it could be a medical condition called hyperhidrosis.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: According to dermatologist Julia Carroll of Toronto, there are high-strength antiperspirants that are designed to treat hyperhidrosis and in other cases, patients use medical Botox to stop sweating for at least nine months at a time.

Acne Or 'Backne':

WHAT IS IT: Often, pus-filled, inflamed or infected glands in the skin. They can appear all over the body, but are most often on the face or back.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: The bad news is, for some, acne is completely genetic and may reappear even after treatments. The good new is, acne (including the stuff on your back), can be treated (or become less visible) with medicated ointments or by eating healthy foods like avocados and nuts.

Belly Button Dirt:

WHAT IS IT: Most belly buttons can be filled with dirt build-up and lint fibres from clothing. But another study even suggests an average person's belly button also has 67 types of bacteria. Delicious.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: For the most part, you could remove dirt and lint by washing the inside of your belly button every day, or you could use rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to clean the area, according to WikiHow.com.

Eye Gunk, Aka Eye Boogers:

WHAT IS IT: A thin mucus that's naturally discharged in the eyes, nose and mouth as you sleep

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: For most, eye gunk or eye boogers are crusty and hard and can be removed when you wash your face in the morning. If you always get eye gunk and it's moist or 'wet', you could have an eye infection like pink eye. To deal with this, contact your doctor for prescription medication.

Nipple Hair:

WHAT IS IT: Hard, coarse hairs that are on your nipples or around them, and is common for men. For the most part, nipple hair for women is caused by hormonal changes, and is more common among pregnant women, according to Yahoo.com.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: Most women and men have nipple hair, so it's completely natural. If you can stand the quick pain, just pluck them out — but never rely on waxing or shaving. If you're still concerned, visit your doctor.

Hair Loss (Alopecia):

WHAT IS IT: Hair loss or balding in specific parts of the scalp. "Male pattern baldness is a well-known phenomenon but it can also affect women. It becomes more common with age and is often a combination of multiple factors including age, hormones, and family history," Carroll says.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: Many men and women hide their bald spots by combing their hair over, or some even rely on wigs. Eating more salmon and eggs, for example, can also help you get stronger hair.

Ingrown Hairs:

WHAT IS IT: Curled hairs that usually grow into your skin rather than coming out. Ingrown hairs can be caused by shaving (often under the armpits), but clogged hair follicles can also be blamed.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: Luckily for you, most ingrowns go away on their own. If your ingrown is infected, your doctor may cut your skin to release it and prescribe medication.

Excessive Vaginal Discharge:

WHAT IS IT: A clear or milky white fluid that's produced by the glands inside the vagina and cervix. On average, most women get a small amount of vaginal discharge throughout the day to keep the vagina healthy and clean. If you notice a change in colour or texture — it might be time to talk to a doctor.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: If you notice clumpy, green, yellow or smelly discharge, speak to your doctor about providing antibiotics.

Chin Hair:

WHAT IS IT: Chin hairs, mostly for women, are often unnoticeable but still embarrassing, Carroll says. These hairs can be associated with aging or hormonal changes.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: If you have a few hairs, feel free to pluck them out. However, laser hair removal might be another option for excessive and coarse hair.

Dandruff:

WHAT IS IT: Small pieces of dead skin on your scalp or hair. People with dandruff have skin cells on the scalp that grow at a quicker pace — pushing off all those dead cells onto your head.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: Dandruff can be treated and controlled with cleansing shampoos or medicated ones, according to MedicalNewsToday.com.

Asleep Foot:

WHAT IS IT: That tingly sensation you get in your feet or hands after keeping your them in one position for a long period of time. This numbing sensation is caused by either compressed arteries (your tissues and nerve cells not getting enough nutrients), or blocked nerve pathways, according to NBCNews.com.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: Change your foot's position to get circulation going again.

Warts:

WHAT IS IT: Small amounts of excessive or grainy skin. Warts can appear in all sorts of embarrassing places. "Plantar warts are those found on the bottom of the feet, making it sometimes painful to walk on and they're quite contagious," Carroll says. Warts are caused by an infectious virus that can be easily picked up at the pool, gym or by touching others.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: Treating multiple warts can be painful and often takes many visits to the doctor. You can also treat them with off-the-counter medication that works to 'freeze' and remove them.

Mouth Crust Or White Lips:

WHAT IS IT: Dry, chapped lips or white crusty gunk (or moist gunk) in the corner of your mouth. This is often caused by changes in temperature, excessive dryness or even after using certain types of beauty products like lip gloss.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: Stay hydrated, even on your lips. Lip balms usually can do the trick.

Nail Fungus:

WHAT IS IT: Common infection that causes nails to become thickened, yellow and sometimes crumbly, according to Carroll. Nail fungus or onychomycosis can be caused by nail damage and is more common for runners and soccer players.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: The best treatment is in a prescribed pill format, but early or mild cases may clear with a medicated nail lacquer.

Excessive Gas:

WHAT IS IT: Farting: it's natural, and we all do it. But sometimes, people may release gas more often than others. Excessive gas can be caused as result of irritable bowel syndrome, constipation or diet.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: Chew. Chew. Chew. Always chew your food well. Foods like fennel, ginger and raw honey can naturally reduce gas.

Epidermal Cysts:

WHAT IS IT: Epidermal cysts are sacks of old skin cells under the top layer of skin. Sometimes, they pop out of the skin in the form of a giant blackhead, Carroll says. What if the cyst pops? Oh, you'll know: cysts have a foul smell and are often mixtures of pus and dead cells.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: This is a skin condition and not a pimple. A lot of times, people mistake them as pimples and try to pop them. Cysts are often removed surgically.

Dry Elbows:

WHAT IS IT: Rough, dry and itchy patches on your elbows or knees. Dry or cracked elbows can be caused by the weather, your soaps or excessive use of the elbows (think about how often your elbows are hitting a table or chair), according to LiveStrong.com.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: Body lotions for extra dry skin or talk to your doctor about prescription medication.

Keratosis Pilaris:

WHAT IS IT: Keratosis Pilaris is a red bumpy rash commonly found on the back of the arms, according to Carroll. It is an inherited condition and often changes during seasons (worse in the summer and better in the winter).

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: It can be improved by using night creams or prescribed medication.

Morning Breath All Day:

WHAT IS IT: Besides the obvious, like not brushing thoroughly or eating foods like onions, excessive bad breath can also be caused by bacteria that live in the back of the mouth and produce sulfuric-like compounds, according to Shape.com.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: Switch up your dental routine: floss and brush more often. You can also ask your dentist for additional support.

Rosacea:

WHAT IS IT: Rosacea is a common skin ailment, especially in people with lighter skin, Carroll says. People with rosacea often experience flushing and persistent facial redness. Small blood vessels may also become visible and it can cause stinging, burning, swelling and roughness.

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT: Laser treatments can reduce the visibility of blood vessels.

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