If it feels like your eyelids are on fire and your bloodshot peepers are scaring away little children, it could be ocular rosacea, a painful inflammation linked to the parasite Demodex folliculorum. "If not managed properly, chronic inflammation on the surface of the eye may lead to visual impairment," says cosmetic physician Dr Sach Mohan

Fight Back: Treat your eyelids to a daily bath, advises Dr Mohan. "With eyes closed, gently rub an even mix of baby shampoo and water over your lids, then rinse thoroughly. After the symptoms clear, repeat the procedure weekly to avoid seeing a comeback." ‘Seeing' hopefully being the operative word.

One in five men in their thirties are still plagued by acne, according to a 2008 study, and pesky Propionibacterium Acnes on your skin is largely to blame. When dead skin cells clog your pores, this thrives in the backed up oil, creating spots.

Fight Back: Keep your pores as clear as possible and speed up skin-cell turnover by regular exfoliation. "Exfoliants are most effective when gently rubbed into the skin in small circular motions; excessive rubbing may only irritate the surface more," warns dermatologist Jane Lewis "Scrub your face gently once or twice a week with a fine microdermabrasion scrub in the shower, when your skin's already soft." A natural loofah is a good way to exfoliate your chest and back, particularly when combined with products containing retinol – check out Vitamin A also helps to reduce blocked pores and therefore spots forming, adds Lewis.

Propionibacteria is one of a number of nasty bacteria that reside year-round in your armpits and groin, feasting on sweat. The pungent by-product of this diet is bromidrosis – yep, B.O.

Fight Back: Snip some excess hair from your pits, use an antibacterial soap (try Valderma,  and apply a natural alternative antiperspirant (try Alvin Connor's Natural Crystal range, . "The hair doesn't cause the odour, but trimming it will decrease the area on which the bacteria can reproduce," says dermatologist Professor Debra Wattenberg of New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center.

One common type of skin bacteria is Staphylococcus aureus, a weaker version of the more potent MRSA bug. If this invades a small cut, it can cause bacterial paronychia, a painful infection in the skin around your nail.

Fight Back: "Soak your injured digit in hot water three or four times a day," suggests Dr Mohan. "This will lure white blood cells to clean the infected area." Whatever you do, don't fall asleep while your fingers are still in the warm water – this will create a different and altogether more embarrassing problem.

Members of the opposite sex might not be particularly interested, but the fungus Candida albicans loves the contents of your pants. Stress or too much moisture means it can multiply rapidly, creating a yeast-like infection, redness and itchiness. "Hoodies" are at higher risk than the circumcised: bacteria thrive better under foreskin.

Fight Back: "Wash with a soap that's free of chemical fragrances," says Dr Mohan. Try Dove Beauty Cream Bar. "Rinse well, dry and apply an anti-yeast cream, such as Canesten" . The recommended treatment from your GP is Fluconazole (or Diflucan), a prescription drug that prevents fungal infections.