Health Conditions
Your biggest health condition questions, answered.
Here’s Why the Heat Can Feel So Much Worse When You’re Taking an SSRI
Certain antidepressants can mess with your ability to stay cool—but you don’t have to suffer in sweaty silence.
By Kathleen FeltonMedically reviewed by Sandhya Pruthi, MD
The Best Way to Rehydrate Quickly When You’re Super Hot and Sweaty
Because heat illness is no joke.
By Erica Sloan
Here’s How to Care for Your Eczema in the Summer Heat
First, take a look at your moisturizer and sunscreen.
By Mara SantilliMedically reviewed by Shari Marchbein, MD
Condition Spotlight
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
This inflammatory skin condition is often misunderstood.By Sara LindbergMedically reviewed by Diane C. Madfes, MDHeart Failure
No, it doesn’t mean your heart stops working.By Beth KrietschMedically reviewed by Sharonne N. Hayes, MD
A-Z CONDITION FINDER
Skin Cancer Awareness
5 Symptoms of Skin Cancer in Your Nails That Are Easy to Miss
This type of melanoma is highly treatable—but you’ll want to catch it early.By Jenna RyuMedically reviewed by Jasmine Onyeka Obioha-Lolagne, MD3 Types of Skin Cancer That Should Be on Everyone’s Radar
Catching it early can be a matter of life or death.By Amy NortonReviewed by Fatima Fahs, MDI’ve Had One Bad Sunburn in My Life—And So Many Skin Cancers I’ve Lost Count
It started in my 30s with melanoma and basal cell carcinomas.By Amy NortonI Was Tanning-Obsessed When I Was Younger…. Did I Doom Myself to Skin Cancer?
We asked dermatologists if it’s possible to reverse DNA-level sun damage.By Jessica ChiaMedically reviewed by Shasa Hu, MD
MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD
Cancer
Coral Olazagasti, MD
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Sanaz Ghazal, MD
Digestive Health
Brijen J. Shah, MD, AGAF
Health Conditions
Sandhya Pruthi, MD
How Long Is Too Long to Sit on the Toilet?
Experts say crossing a certain minute mark is bad for your butt.
By Amy Norton
Help for Summer Acne
These Are the Best Butt Acne Treatments, According to Dermatologists
Because it actually is a little bit different than battling breakouts on your face.By Melanie RudMedically reviewed by Susan Massick, MDThe Mental Health Effects of Acne Are Very, Very Real
Feeling bad about breakouts isn’t shallow—especially if they’re messing with your quality of life.By Jenna RyuMedically reviewed by Jessica Stern, PhDHypochlorous Acid Spray Is the Only Thing That Keeps My Acne-Prone Skin Clear in the Summer
My face is smoother—and way less red—thanks to this holy grail.By Jenna RyuWhy You Should Never, Ever Pop a Nose Pimple
Allow us to introduce you to the triangle of death.By Jenna Ryu
5 Minutes Of Guided Meditation For Managing Physical Pain
Meditation teacher and co-founder of Awarehouse Christine Alfred guides us through a 5-minute meditation designed to help you manage the struggles of physical pain throughout your body.
I Thought I Had a Mosquito Bite. It Was Actually Melanoma
As a healthy 40-year-old, I never expected to be in this position.
By Katie Camero
6 Things to Know About the Updated COVID Vaccines
The coronavirus is still making people sick, so it’s a good idea to get jabbed as soon as you can.
By Katie CameroMedically reviewed by Payal K. Patel, MD
Shits and giggles
How to Take the Best Freaking Poop of Your Life
These small steps can make your toilet time smoother, faster, and more comfortable.
By Julia Ries
What Does Competing With COVID Do to an Athlete’s Body?
Pushing through to win a medal may feel worth it in the moment. But there are real risks.
By Julie StewartMedically reviewed by Pritish Tosh, MD
Everything to Know About Hypnotherapy for IBS, Which Experts Say Is a Legit Treatment
If your symptoms get way worse when you’re stressed, this might work for you.
By Amy Norton
Hypothyroidism Symptoms Are Easy to Miss—Here Are Some Clues to Pay Attention To
Constipation, fatigue, and hair loss can all be signs.
By Sarah Klein, CPT
SELF Daily
Make your inbox healthier and happier with the latest SELF stories, delivered fresh daily.
A Massive New Study Suggests Getting COVID Might Really Mess With People’s Mental Health
If you get seriously ill, you’re more likely to experience things like depression, PTSD, eating disorders, and self-harm, according to the research.
By Katie Camero
30 Gifts for Someone Going Through Chemo
Ideas from people who have been there.
30 slides
By Kristin Canning and Korin Miller
Certain Blood Cancers Are On the Rise—Here Are Some Common Symptoms to Know
Everyday occurrences like nosebleeds, fatigue, and UTIs might indicate something serious going on.
By Elizabeth Millard, CPT, RYTMedically reviewed by Sandhya Pruthi, MD
3 Things to Do If You Just Mauled a Small Pimple and Now Have a Gaping Wound on Your Face
Keeping the area as moist and protected as possible is key.
By Jenna Ryu
What Losing a Testicle to Cancer Taught Me About Masculinity
I’d always felt serious pressure to conform. Now I’m making a conscious choice to live authentically.
By Katie Camero
Hot Flashes During the Summer Are a Special Kind of Hell—Here’s How to Manage Them
You have options beyond parking directly in front of the AC all day.
By Katie Camero
4 Things to Know About a Rare Blood Cancer Diagnosis
For starters, you may not actually feel sick.
By Brittany RisherMedically reviewed by Sandhya Pruthi, MD
5 Things to Know About the New and Highly Contagious Fungal STI
The first US case was reported in June.
By Kathleen Felton
How Long Does a Tick Need to Be on You to Transmit Lyme?
Good news: It’s probably longer than you think. (But you should still get that demon off you ASAP!)
By Sarah Klein, CPTMedically reviewed by Pritish Tosh, MD
A Guide to Taking Hormones During Menopause
It's now generally considered safe, but there are some risks to be aware of.
By Amy NortonReviewed by Sanaz Ghazal, MD
6 Things a Wonky Period Might Be Telling You About Your Health
Super heavy, painful, or irregular bleeding is always something to pay attention to.
By Julia SullivanMedically reviewed by Sanaz Ghazal, MD
Doctors Told Me I Had Asthma. Then I Had Four Strokes
US Women’s CP National Soccer Team player Cassidy Leake shares her harrowing journey.
By Julia Sullivan
Doctors Blamed Menopause for My Symptoms for a Year. I Actually Had Blood Cancer
Until I was hospitalized, no one ran any tests to see what might be going on.
By Alice Oglethorpe
Is My Nausea Normal, or Should I See a Doctor?
Lots of things can trigger this about-to-puke sensation—and some are more concerning than others.
By Korin MillerMedically reviewed by Brijen J. Shah, MD, AGAF
Fecal Transplants Saved My Life After I Almost Died of C. diff
After coming so close to death, I’ve learned to appreciate everything I got.
By Katie Camero
I’m 26 and Almost Lost My Eye After Showering in My Contacts
I was actually laying in bed screaming it was so painful.
By Michelle Vartan
9 Safe and Effective Ways to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids
You don't have to live with a painful and itchy butt forever.
By Theresa TamkinsMedically reviewed by Brijen J. Shah, MD, AGAF
8 Ways to Cope With a Fear of Needles When You Have a Chronic Illness
F-bombs, sweet treats, and strategic distractions can make the pokes a little more bearable.
By Katie Camero
What’s the Deal With Raw Milk—And Is It Safe to Drink?
The question has become even more serious amid the multistate bird flu outbreak.
By Ashia Aubourg and Caroline Tien