Question,

My 8 yrs. son has developed some white spots on his left cheek. Is there any reason to worry? Should I take him to the doctor? What must be the reason for that? I give him one dose of worms every year. Kindly help.

Answer

The skin problem your son has got is known as Pityriasis Alba. It is caused by strong sunlight falling on dry skin. It does NOT happen due to intestinal worms. You swhould see a dermatologist to trweat the condition because otherwise it will keep on increasing.

Question,

hello dr,
how r u? i hav the following doubts now.
1)is there any test which can detects latent syphilis?
2)what all stds can be detected with a complete urine examination?
3)if my urine is free from bacteria,what is the assumption?
4)can i make sure that i dont have ghonerea,chylamida,trachomonasis if my urine is free of bacteria.pls give me advice.thanks

Answer

Latent syphilis is a stage of syphilis which is diagnosed by proper history taking, examination coupled with a few tests like VDRL which remains positive in low titre and FTA-ABS which again is positive signifying syphilis infection.

Routine urine examination will reveal gonorrhoea and non specific urethritis infections like chlamydia etc.

The result signifies the fact that you do not have any urinary tract infection.

Though there are specific tests for the organisms stated in your question, if your urine does not contain any signs of infection it can be assumed that you do not have these infections.

Question,

my question is, what are the essentials or procedure to follow in having perfect skin? i get blemishes once in a while that sit under the skin's surface. They do not hurt until they really appear on the surface but it feels as if my skin has a slight inflamation around this sort of blemish as well and it makes me self concious. what are the causes of this and what could be done to cure this problem? thank you for your time.

Answer

You probably haveacne or pimples as they are popularly known. You need to keep your skin clean and oil free, eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and cut down on the consumption of so called junk food like burgers etc.

Question,

I have pink and brown spots on my face,hand & back.I've used Retin-A & Cutivate for a month as suggested by a Dr.but the spots are still there.Can u suggest any ointment etc, to getr rid of the spots or atleast lighten them?

Answer

You probably have melasma. They can be treated with a combination of peeling by dermabrasion and bleaching by creams. You must also use a sunblock cream to protect your exposed areas when you venture out into the sun. Please visit a dermatologist to seek full advice and treatment in this matter.

Question,

i have steatocystoma multiplex. recently a cyst swelled to epic proportions and then burst beneath the skin. it appears to have burst into a vein because the vein on either side has swollen up. is this what has happened and is this serious or will it just go away?

Answer

Steatocystoma Multiplex is a skin disease in which you get multiple cystic lesions. They are normally found in the abdominal region. They normally do not produce any symptoms but can give rise to pain they become very big. These cysts normally do not burst into a vein. The reason why your vein in enlarged is due to the presuure created on it by the cyst. Yiou need to see a dermatologist or surgeon who will excise the cyst which is a simple procedure and I think all your symptoms will subside subsequently.

Question,

Can the depressions left by the pimples removed or filled. I have few depressions on the face that were caused by long years of pimples. Pls advise. Thanks

Answer

Acne scars can be successfully treated by Laser and/or dermabrasion. You should visit a dermatologist conversant with these procedure and seek his advice in this regard.

Question,

I just want to ask... what's the best treatment for fungal infection i don't what's its exact term but it formed a whitish spot on skin and it is itchy. what will be the best treatment for this skin infection? i used different types of soaps and creams antifungal, but it's not effective.

Answer

Your skin problem must be first diagnosed properly. Please visit a dermatologist who after proper examination and possibly one or two tests will be able to diagnose your problem and give the appropriate treatment.

Question,

Approx a year ago I noticed a very small(pin head sized) white lesion on my lower lip. I pulled it off with the tweezers. Upon examining the white lesion, it looked to me like a very small round (pin head sized)very white, piece of fat tissue. Since removal of the lesion left no sign of it ever being there I thought nothing about it. Approx 5 days later the white lesion appeared again in the same place. It felt like a whisker when I put my tongue on it. Again I pulled it off with the tweezers. A few days later it re-appeared. I went to the doctor and he couldn't hardly see the lesion. He finally saw it and used some sort of freezing method to remove the lesion from my lip. Aprox 15 days later the lesion re-appeared in the same place on my lower lip. I noticed that if I go to the steam sauna at the Gym, the lesion doesn't come back so quickly. Could you recommend any skin cream that might kill the lesion? I suspect it's a virus or a gland causing the problem. I was with a young lady just prior to getting the lesion. I also swam in a swimming pool in Thailand,where the water wasn't very well filtered. I also done a lot of swimming in Salt water at the beach in Thailand. Your assistance in this matter will be highly appreciated.
Regards,

Answer

Going by the description of the lesion and the history you probably have a wart or a molluscum on your lower lip. Whatever the lesion it needs to be treated by cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen. You most probably got the leasion back after liquid nitrogen treatment because it was not frozen properly.
 

Question,

How can we avoid pimples and boils coming out in faces ? No doubt, it leaves a mark thereafter, pls advise for a solution to remove the marks. With Rgds,

Answer

You can stop having acne or pimples by keepinng your face dry and oil free. You should also eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid oily food. The marks left by pimples can be treated by peeling, bleaching or a combination of both. Please visit a dermatologist who is conversant with these procedures and seek treatment in this regard.

Question,

My three year old daughter has developed these puss like bumps on her side and every time she scratch them they are spreading is there any thin that i can do to make them go away

Answer

What she has got is probably impetigo. Impetigo is contagious bacterial skin infection. Please seek the help of a dermatologist at the earliest for treatment of this skin malady.

Question,

i have started developing greying of hair since i have come to UAE. Do you have any remedy for the same

Answer

Greying of hair is basically a genetic trait and different persons start having grey hairs at different ages dependant on the genetic factor. However, at times improper nutrition of the hair can lead to premature greying. Hence, I would advise you to put oil on your scalp overnight twice a week, to wash your hair with a mild shampoo atleast twice a week and eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.

Question,

i have used betnovate n cream for 8months due to which my complexion got grayish i have acne obove and below the skin my skine become very thin please tell me treatment to regain my complexion n thickening of skin i have used betnovate just for whitening ok waiting for ur reply

Answer

All your problems are due to improper and prolonged use of a steroid cream, in your case betnovate. You need to stop using betnovate cream immediately and see a dermatologist at the earliest who will assess your condition and recommend appropriate remedial measures.

Question,

I have red pimples with white heads dowh the sides of my body. they go from under arms to hips. there are alot on my right side and a few on my left side. My doctor told me it is a fdungus and to aplly lotramine d anti fungal. they seem like they are spreading still. I am a 37 yr old male in good health. Any ideas what this is?

Answer

Going by the description you have given I doubt very much whether you have a fungal infection. You need to see a dermatologist who will conduct a simple test to find out if it is at all a fungal infection. He will then prescribe you the right medicines after the making the correct diagnosis.

Question,

What can i get for very itch scalp with bumps that turn to blisters and have blood come out when I comb my hair.

Answer

You require to wash your hair with a medicated shampoo having keratolytic properties atleast twice a week. Plus you require a lotion to stop the 'bumps' from coming and possibly a course of antibiotics. These can be prescribed by a dermatologist who will give you the appropriate medication and suggest other remedial measures after thoroughly examining your condition.

Question,

I am a teenage boy and I have these bumps that occur around my navel and stomach area in random places, I also have them in my groin. They look like pimples and get red they do not itch but pop like pimples and the discharge is yellow-clear. I have an infected in-grown toenail and I have read that Hives can occur with causes of infection, could this be a reason[ the bumps came after it got itfected] and also I have shaved the areas in the past could that also be a possibility of the cause. If you can help it would be appreciated...Thanks!

Answer

Your problem around the navel has got nothing to do with your ingrowing toenail. However, your shaving of the affected area might have led to its spread. You need to see a dermatologist at the earliest who will prescribe the proper treatment after reaching the correct diagnosis.

Question,

during the winter my hands get really cracky and start splitting right between the knucle areas and itches really bad, Iwas told this is enzema, what is the best thing for me to use during the winter when my hands get this way, it's only oct now they are already starting to get that way.

Answer

It certainly sounds like eczema from your description. You need to use a steroid cream to cure the condition and use a emollient/moisturiser all over the hands. You should also desist from handling detergents and dust specially in the winter months to stop the condition from recurring.

Question,

As i am new here in Oman i have observed that i have been having dandruff in my hair is it because of the water or diet???? also let me know the remedies??? i have been using nizoral shampoo once in 3 days the itching has stopped is it ok to continue using the shampoo????

Answer

The dandruff problem could be related to the water or it could be due to lack of clenliness of your hair. Nizoral is one of the shampoos you could use in this condition. You need to use it twice weekly for 2-3 months followed by once weekly application for another 2-3 months. Then you should stop using Nizoral shampoo but should continue washing your hair atleast twice a week with other shampoos. If the dandruff recurs then you should revert back to Nizoral.

Question,

I have spots left behind by acne on my face & hands.The acne is not there.I've tried using a combination of Retin-A & Cutivate but it hasn't helped.Can U suggest somehing?

Answer

You need to see a dermatologist who will judge your condition and suggest the right treatment. It will probably be a combination of peeling, eg micro-dermabrasion, and bleaching by a mixture of creams or any one of the two depending on the severity of the condition.

Question,

hi i m 23 years old i have baldness problem on my upper head it almost last 5 years i did every thing wht i can now i listen about hair grafting who solve this problem with in one siting they solve the problem regrowth with orignal hair for ever plz if it is true plz give the center adrress in delhi and contact number and how its work i m waiting ur reply thanks

Answer

Hair grafting or transplant can certainly be tried in your case but it should be the last option of treatment when all other methods have failed. In this method, hair from one part of your scalp mostly the posterior aspect, ie near the neck, is taken and transplanted on to the bald area. It will ceertainly not be a one sitting treatment, you need to go back to the dermatologist/plastic surgeon a few times depending on the size of the area where hair is to be transplanted to complete the treatment. Hair transplant has its own share of side effects and you need to be thoroughly briefed about them by the doctor who is going to perform the surgery. You need to look up the Delhi telephone directory to find out the address and contact numbers of places offering this treatment.

Question,

I had oily skin and i m 22yrs. old but with that i had strange problems like i m allergic ti all cosmetic products . thus i have to wash my face with plain water. but this does not clean my skin. so i want u to prescribe me some good face cleanser and moisuriser and daily skin care riutine. thanking you.

Answer

It is not possible that you are allergic to all kinds of soaps. You need to wash your face with soap to stop skin diseases like acne and dermatitis from developing. You could start by using the ones that are used my new born babies to clean their skin. You should also visit a dermatologist who will prescribe you the proper products after examing your type of skin and ascertaing the allergies that you might have.