Major head case - questions and answers about headaches and other health problems

Girls' Life, Dec, 2000

Are headaches putting a vice grip on your life?

Your skull feels like it's too tight around your brain? Could be more than a minor pain--might be a migraine.

I always get really bad headaches. How can I tell if they're migraines?

"A migraine is a headache that comes in episodes that are moderate to severe in pain. They cause disability, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity and a throbbing pressure," says headache specialist Dr. Merle Diamond. According to the National Headache Foundation, 20 percent of kids ages 5 to 17 have recurring headaches and one-fourth of those suffer disabling migraines. Stress, lack of sleep, eye strain or even hunger can trigger a nasty tension headache. These are more common than migraines but won't ruin your day. If your headache is so unbearable you can't function, see your doc. She can provide preventive treatments for your migraines. You can also log on to www.headaches.org for lots of great info.

I have this big, red growth of skin behind my earlobe. I noticed it after I got my ears pierced. What is it?

Ear piercing can leave behind more than just a hole in your ear. Most likely, the pinkish-red nodular bump is a keloids. "Keloids are scars that don't know when to stop growing," says dermatologist Dr. Bernett Johnson. "Keloids develop on the skin after trauma results, like piercing ears." Take out your studs and let your holes grow back. Keloids occur more often in African American girls and can appear anywhere on your body, not just your lobes. The excess scar tissue can develop after an injury, burn, cut, bruise or even acne. They can be removed but are difficult to get rid of entirely. Check with a dermatologist.

I was recently diagnosed with a back problem called kyphosis, and I need a brace. What's the difference between kyphosis and scoliosis?

We spoke with chiropractor Dr. Arthur Moosally. He explains, "Kyphosis is an over-curvature of the thoracic spine--the part between your neck and lower back. Often a hump forms, so you're leaning forward or backward too much." With scoliosis, the back has an exaggerated side-to-side S-curve. Scoliosis is more common than kyphosis. Both curvatures can be treated with back braces as long as the patient's body is still growing. This is why it's so important for all girls between ages 8 and 14 to have their spines checked out. No matter what the diagnosis, you do have options--talk to your doctor or chiropractor.

NO MORE MR. LICE GUY!

Oh, no! The school nurse just diagnosed you with head lice. You showerl You lather, rinse and repeat! How could this happen? Don't fret, you're just another one of the "chosen" 10 million people each year infected by these tiny blood-sucking insects. So how were you lucky enough to get bugged out? "Lice typically favor straight hair," says dermatologist Dr. Robert Brodell. "They're transferred by sharing hats, combs, brushes and even just simple head contact. They cling to the hair and lay eggs, called nits, which are visible." Once the lice attack, your scalp can itch and become crusty. Yummy, huh? Dr. Brodell recommends banishing the critters with an over-the-counter medication containing permethrin. You should also try to pick out the eggs with a special nit-removing comb. Then banish the buggers forever by washing all your brushes, combs, clothes and sheets in hot water.