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Q Is a boil the same thing as a big zit or acne?

G.E., Milwaukee, WI

A No, a boil is an infection caused by a type of bacteria called staphylococcus aureus ("staph" for short). Zits (pimples) and acne occur when skin oils called sebum are blocked from their normal flow up through hair follicles and out of skin pores. Boils occur when staph bacteria infect the hair follicles causing an abscess that spreads deeper and wider into the skin. At first a boil may be itchy or mildly painful and then swell and turn red. A whitish head may appear. Eventually the head breaks, draining pus or blood. Staph infections are contagious, so if you or someone in your family has one, do not share towels, sheets, or clothing until the infection has been treated.

Q I've heard about the abuse of painkillers that are prescription drugs. Can people who are prescribed these drugs get addicted to them?

T.S., Pittsburgh, PA

A You may be referring to a prescription painkiller called OxyContin[TM], which has been in the news a lot recently because of theft of the drug from pharmacies around the country. The drug has been referred to as "poor man's heroin." OxyContin is the brand name for the generic narcotic oxycodone hydrochloride. As a medication, taken orally as directed in its pill form, the drug can provide pain relief over a period of up to 12 hours for moderate to severe pain resulting from conditions such as injuries, dislocations, fractures, arthritis, cancer, and lower back pain. However, if ground up and snorted, or dissolved in water and injected, the drug can produce a fast and powerful--and very dangerous--euphoria (high). It is rare for a person to become addicted to the drug if it is taken for a legitimate medical reason and under the care of a qualified physician. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has said that patients who were prescribed the medicine do not report euphoria, possibly because their level of pain may reduce some of the medicine's euphoric effects.

Q What is "female athlete triad"? I saw this mentioned in an article about a gymnast, and I had never seen the term before.

A.H., Peoria, IL

A Female athlete triad is not a very common condition, but it is a very serious one. The term refers to a young woman athlete who trains rigorously and has a combination of an eating disorder; amenorrhea--the absence of menstruation; and osteoporosis, or bone weakness. ("Triad" means a group of three related things.) Typically, young athletes with this condition--or those who are at risk for this condition--may severely restrict what they eat or binge and purge in order to lose weight or remain thin. This is most common in athletic activities such as gymnastics, figure skating, ballet, distance running, diving, and swimming. In addition to having an eating disorder, these young women may exercise much more intensely or longer than is required for normal training. Female athlete triad can result in severe bone weakness, which can cause fractures. In very extreme cases, it can be life-threatening. Experts emphasize that normal physical training and participation in athletic activities is beneficial for young women. Being involved in sports can improve your general health, can motivate you to get good grades, and allows you to have fun participating with friends.

Editorial note: If you would like more information on the subject of female athlete triad, there is an extensive article in the June 1, 2000, issue of American Family Physician (www.aafp.org/afp). It's meant for health care professionals, but it contains a lot of detail about the condition.

Q How can you get rid of athlete's foot?

T.M., Marietta, GA

A Athlete's foot can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams and sprays. In severe cases, doctors may prescribe a stronger cream, or pills to be taken orally. Athlete's foot is contagious and spreads easily in damp areas such as locker room showers. It's a good idea to wear flip-flops or waterproof shoes in such areas, and be sure to dry your feet completely (especially between your toes) before putting on socks and shoes.

How do you know if your hearing is damaged?

W.S., Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Difficulty hearing sounds at specific pitches and volumes is evidence of hearing damage. One type of damage, called conductive hearing loss, is caused by a problem in the ear canal or middle ear that blocks the conduction of sounds. Another type of hearing loss, described as sensorineural, is caused by damage to the inner ear, auditory nerve, or auditory nerve pathways in the brain. Hearing loss can be measured with an audiometer, an electronic device that produces sounds in different pitches and volumes. These measurements can discover a below-normal auditory threshold, which is the faintest sound that can be heard. Something called speech threshold audiometry measures how loud words have to be spoken to be heard clearly. In a study that made the news this past July, scientists found that in the United States, approximately 5.2 million children ages 6 to 19 have some degree of hearing loss because of exposure to excessive amounts of hazardous levels of noise. The scientists used speech threshold audiometry in their research.

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