Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medicines, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your doctor.
Conditions
- A recent medical treatment, such as major surgery
- A recent serious illness, particularly if it caused a high fever
- Malnutrition or severe dieting
Lifestyle choices
- Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
- Drug abuse or withdrawal
Medicines
- Birth control pills
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
- High doses of vitamin A
- Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
- Prescription medicines for gout, arthritis, depression, heart problems, or high blood pressure
- Blood thinners
Diseases
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis) or seborrhea
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
- Lichen planus
- Lupus
- Malnutrition or starvation
- Psoriasis
- Skin allergies
- Thyroid disease
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
| Last Updated | July 3, 2007 |
Author:Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Last Updated: 07/03/2007
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