A small skin lesion found on the bottom of the foot or toes, which closely resembles, and is often confused with, a corn. It's size is usually under 1cm in diameter but can grow larger and can also occur in clusters (mosaic warts). Verrucae pedis are caused by the human papilloma virus and can be surgically removed. This is a slow growing virus, found in most of our environments and which gain entry into the body through a break in the skin, such as a scratch or cut.

Many people have corns, verrucas, calluses, bunions and all manner of ailments on their feet. To a reflexologist, these can be vital signs. However, it is important not to be afraid of them. They don't prevent you from receiving treatment. If a part of your foot is inaccessible for any reason, the hand is treated instead.

Athlete's foot is a common condition in young people and adults. The fungi love warm, moist places and the condition is primarily a problem for people who wear tight-fitting trainers or don't dry their feet properly. Treatment is straight forward and most pharmacists should be able give advice on appropriate treatment.

Such areas can often be covered with some tape during a treatment giving no excuse for not coming along. But if it is very painful for you in your foot then please come along once the pain has eased.

Vitiligo affects at least 1% of the population. About half of the people who develop this skin disorder experience some pigment loss before the age of 20, and about one third of all Vitiligo patients say that other family members also have this condition.

Your immune system plays a role too. Some people are extra sensitive to the bacteria that get trapped in their hair follicles.

Contrary to popular belief, Legionnaire's disease is a common disease. There are estimated 25,000 deaths per year in the U.S. from it. Most cases are never diagnosed as being Legionnaire's disease, but are simply recognized as a case of pneumonia. Another common misconception is that anyone and everyone is at risk. Legionnaire's disease is an "opportunistic infection", meaning that it attacks individuals who are already ill or in generally poor health.

Almost everyone develops spinal subluxations. Fortunately, most of these subluxations correct themselves when one relaxes or lies down to sleep. When spinal subluxations are severe or persistent they require chiropractic diagnosis and treatment.

Infertility is a medical problem. Approximately 40% of infertility is due to a female factor and 40% is due to a male factor. In the balance of the cases, infertility results from problems in both partners or the cause of the infertility cannot be explained.

Anyone can get tularemia if they spend much time outdoors in areas where ticks, flies and mosquitoes can be found.

Contrary to earlier perceptions that vulvodynia predominantly affected Caucasian women of fair complexions, white and African American women reported similar lifetime prevalences. However, Hispanic women were 80% more likely to experience chronic vulvar pain. Women with histories of chronic vulvar pain were 7-8 times more likely to report difficulties using tampons during teen years.

The risk of developing glaucoma increases with age. It usually occurs in people over 35 years of age. In fact, according to the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness, one in 50 Americans over the age of 35 and three out of 100 over the age of 65 have glaucoma. A very rare form of glaucoma can occur in infants. People at high risk include those with diabetes or those who have relatives with glaucoma.

Preeclampsia occurs in 5-8 percent of all pregnancies, though it is most common in first-time pregnancies. Some research suggests that one's risk of preeclampsia is increased with a first pregnancy with a new partner/husband, however recent research suggests that the key factor in that increased risk is not the new husband, but in fact increased maternal age. The most significant risk factors for preeclampsia are: Women with greater than 30% Body Mass Index (BMI).

Unfortunately, almost anyone can develop cancer, even children and young adults who lead active, healthy lives. However, nearly 60 percent of the cancers diagnosed in California are among people 65 and older, who make up only about 10 percent of the population. Surprisingly, there are large differences among people of different ethnic origin.