White make 34.I have a large red rash on each inner thigh 6" up from kneww and 6" down from groin. its very wide.redish on the outside,and inside is more of a browingsh tinge. seems like th inner part is going away but its spreads outward.I have been using antifungal(lotromin) It went away one day and then it came back..I have had it two weeks..It is humid here,but it seems to be more than that...what might it be?? doesnt appear to be ringworm. just a very very large rash.. thanks

The tenia crures ( fungal infection ) of the legs is characterized by wide spread inner thigh ,reddish lesion ,with small perephral reddih spots ,itchy ,with macerated surface,usually associated with other body parts fungal infection like :under the nails or between the toes.

this infection should be treated by:

1 - at least 2 weeks course of antifungal preparation (clotrimazole )derevetive.

2 - avoiding moist enviroment in the inner thigh region by the use of cotton under wears and application of local powdertodry the area.

3 - avoiding tight clothing like jeans .

4 - stop the use of medication which may aggrevate the problem like ,long course of antibiotics or systemic steroid

5 - if no response is obtained then you must be investigated for some problems like diabetis mellitus or anemia.....

I am suffering from Pityriasis Lichenoides Chronica dieseases can you help me. My age is 23.

No treatment is certain to cure pityriasis lichenoides.Natural sunlight may be effective, and treatment with special ultraviolet light lamps can also help. Lamps that produce UVB or UVA are both useful, as is the combination of tablets known as Psoralens with UVA (PUVA treatment). PUVA has a greater effect on the skin, but carries a higher risk of side effects.

Dear Doc, I have round red spots all over my torso that look a lot like ring worm. I've been treating as if it were ring worm with antifungal topical ointment for abour 2 weeks and they are getting bigger and more are popping up. It started with one on the inside of my calf, (now about the size of a quarter) and now I have about 30 smaller spots, mostly on my upper back, but also on my breasts, under arms, and stomach. They are pink, and sometimes flake off skin like exzema. What is it, and how can I treat it. Please help, I'm getting so frustrated, and terribly embarassed. Thanks, Rachel

Generalized red rashes are usually caused by either viral or Pityriasis rosea .The condition often begins with a large, scaly, pink patch of skin on the chest or back. The patch usually is followed by additional pink patches of skin. There is an itching of skin lesions (sores) and redness or inflammation of the skin. The number and sizes of the spots can vary.Pityriasis rosea affects the back, neck, chest, abdomen, upper arms, and legs, but the rash might differ from person to person.Your doctor can diagnose pityriasis rosea. He or she might order blood tests, scrape the skin, or do a skin biopsy to make a diagnosis.

Hi Doc! I am a 23yr old woman with really bad dark circles. This is not hereditary as i started getting the dark circles only 5 yrs ago and it gone pretty bad now. i have tried the basic home remedies but it hasnt helped. I actually read about Photorejuvenation... IPL. I was wondering if this could help my situation. Please also advise how effective can this be and wat would be the cost... Thanks!

Intense pulsed light used to treat vascular and pigmentary changes associated with photoaging and to stimulate collagen production, encourage new skin growth.It is also used to remove brown spots.Talk to your dermatologist about your problem.

Please help me,even my husband doesnt want to come near me because of this problem any more? last year in February I sprayed deodorants and perfumes on my underarms for many days and discovered my skin is allergic to them as it itched intensely,making me feel very uneasy. so I stopped using them.however I was always using talcum powders of all brands since my childhood with not even 1%allergy to them or any itching caused by them.now ever since the damage caused due to deodorants,even application of talcum powders on underarms cause itching on them.so Iam no more able to use talcum too,making me sweat a lot in summers,but no ways to keep myself fragrant.please suggest some home remedies or good products so that my underarm skin heals fully and Iam able to use talcum powders again like before and make myself fragrant as always.because of body odor,even my husband doesnt want to come near me.I have been to skin specialists and spent a lot of money,but ,my skin hasnt healed so far.I want to start using talcum powders again to smell good

Although perspiration is practically odorless, it can take on an unpleasant smell when it comes into contact with bacteria on your skin.

Antiperspirants can cause irritation or even contact dermatitis — red, swollen, itchy skin. In fact, antiperspirants are the cosmetic product most associated with skin irritation. Deodorants, especially herbal or crystal deodorants, may be less irritating for most people.

Botox injections are also an effective way to treat severe hyperhidrosis . Botox isn't a cure-all, however. It may take several injections to achieve the desired results, the treatment can be painful, and the results last only about four months. In addition, although Botox stops sweating, it doesn't prevent body odor. Anticholinergic drug such as glycopyrrolate (Robinul, Robinul Forte) work by blocking the actions of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger in your body that helps to stimulate your sweat glands, among other things.

HELLO DOCTOR, I M 27 YR.OLD FEMALE FROM INDIA,I M HAVING DARK CIRCLES & FINE WRINLES AROUND MY EYES SPECIALLY NEAR MY INNER CANTHUS OF EYE.I HAVE TRIED MANY TOPICAL CREAMS BUT MY CONDITION SUSTAINED, I WANT TO KNOW THAT CAN I GO FOR BOTOX INJECTION AS A TREATMANT MODALITY FOR THIS PROBLEM?IS IT SAFE ?

Botox is not indicated for the treatment for dark circle.When the fat pad beneath the eye begins to thin with age, it can create a sunken look to the under eye area. Dark circles may be hereditary for some people or simply a part of the aging process, Studies have shown that sluggishness of blood flow underneath the eyes may also contribute to dark circles. An under eye cream containing sunscreen and another that applied an under eye cream containing a combination of vitamin K and retinol may solve your problem.

Dear Doctor, I usually get big bumps on my forehead, the size of a forefinger, that comes and goes in 3 days time...The past episode was april 16th and the next was may 29th...I've had this for the past 6 months...The bump is not painful, the color is the color of my skin, only, it is not good to see. It disappears when I take claritin or virlix....Just what is this?

I think you have sarcoidosis.The diagnosis of sarcoidosis can be difficult to make. Therefore, it would be wise to seek out a doctor and or treatment center with a declared interest in and expertise in sarcoidosis diagnosis and treatment.

Hi Doctor, i have been having extreme itching around my groin area. I have never had any type of intercourse. There is also dark spots around my inner thighs also near my groin area, I'm not quite sure if they are scars from previouse itching or if they are something else. I think it could possibly be crabs but i can't be sure, the itching is also worse when I try to sleep. Thanks

It is a common fungal infection that affects the skin of your inner thighs, buttocks and genitals and is common in people who sweat a lot, like athletes. It also often occurs in people who are overweight, but anyone can get the infection. Keeping your groin area clean and dry and applying topical antifungal medications are usually sufficient to treat the problem.

It is treated with one of two types of antifungal medications — azoles(Miconazole) or allylamines(Terbinafine). Generally, allylamines require a shorter treatment time, while azoles are less expensive but require longer treatment time.

See your doctor if you have a rash on your skin that doesn't improve within two weeks. You may need prescription medication.

Hi Dr, When I was young I burned my skin in the sun quite bad. I later developed dark marks on my face, on the forhead & on my cheek bones as a result of this,my skin type is light brown skin.I recently spoke to my local GP about this and she told me there was no medicine to remove these marks.Is there any cream or cure for this which is affordable ? Thank You

Hydroquinone a prescription cream used to lighten the skin . Bleaches lighten and fade darkened skin patches by slowing the production of melanin so those dark spots gradually fade to match normal skin coloration.In more severe cases prescription creams with tretinoin and a cortisone cream may be used.There are now several highly effective laser treatments for your condition.

I have brown spots on each inner thigh and one under my arm. they itch when my panties rub against them. I place powder in between my leg and that helps but once the powder is gone they start to itch again. What is the clause I am 35 and just noticed them 6 months ago

This may be a harmless skin condition called Capillaritis in which there are reddish-brown patches caused by leaky capillaries. The capillaries are small blood vessels near to the skin surface. For unknown reasons they sometimes become inflamed. The result is tiny red dots appear on the skin, described as cayenne pepper spots. Topical steroids can be helpful for itching but rarely clear the capillaritis.

Well a few days ago I noticed a light brown spot on my neck and my husband noticed it to and I did not think much of it. But when I went to shave under my arms I noticed that their was brown spots up under them to. Are these just age spots or what. I am thirty-one and I just want to know if I should be concerned about it.

As people age, unsightly blemishes, commonly called liver spots, can appear on the face and on the back of the hands.

Although nothing can be done about the role heredity plays, excessive exposure to the sun should be avoided,treatment of liver spots is usually performed by the dermatologic surgeon .

Bleaching Creams, Tretinoin, and Alpha-hydroxy Acids are topical applications prescribed by the physician to fade small spots and it normally takes anywhere from two months to a year .New techniques with various lasers are used to remove the spots.

Dear Sir, I am an Indian having come to the Gulf about 3 years back. Since my coming to Dubai, I have observed a whitening of the skin on my chest and it is of the size of a fist. On consultation of a doctor, I was told that this is vitiligo. I was prescribed some ointments, but with no results so far. Well its about three years now. It has not spread to any other areas and it is still the same . not very white, but mild. Can you suggest any form of treatment for this. Will a laser or something like that help my case. Thanks

The goal in treating vitiligo is to attempt to restore color (pigment) to your skin and improve your appearance. Depending on the type of therapy, treatment for vitiligo may take from six to 18 months. Treatment choices are based on the number of white patches you have and how widespread they are. Each person responds differently to treatment, and a particular therapy may not work for you.

The medical therapies are topical corticosteroid therapy,topical PUVA may be a treatment option if you have a small number of depigmented patches, oral psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA) may be used if you have extensive vitiligo. In recent years, NBUVB, a special form of ultraviolet B light, has been used as an alternative to PUVA. This type of therapy can be administered like PUVA and given up to three times a week. However, no pre-application of psoralen is required, thus simplifying the treatment process. NBUVB may be a safer long-term alternative to PUVA.

I have a mole on my back and make an small surgery 4 years ago. Is it possible to return again my mole after years? Sometimes it is itchy and there is like pus on the part of my mole. thats all. thanks

Moles are growths on the skin that are usually brown or black. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups and it occur when cells in the skin grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin.You also should have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, appear scaly, or become tender or painful.

If your moles do not change over time, there is little reason for concern. If you see any signs of change in an existing mole, if you have a new mole, or if you want a mole to be removed for cosmetic reasons, talk to your dermatologist.

My 6 year old son has had pityriasis Lichenoides Chronica for the past 3 years. He has taken oral medication as well as various ointments/lotions. Everything that has been recommended seems to help to some degree and then the lesions come back. We were told that his skin condition may last years, but is not life-long. His dermatologist suggested narrow band uv treatment. We are hesitant to use this treatment. What are the side effects of this and would you recommend using this for a six year old boy?

UVB treatment involves exposing the skin to an artificial UVB light source for a set length of time on a regular schedule, either under a doctors direction in a medical setting or with a home unit purchased with a doctors prescription.

UVB treatment can be used by adults and children, and will be effective in treating psoriasis.Once the skin clears, the treatments can be stopped.

The problems associated with UVB are, during treatment, it may worsen temporarily before improving. The skin may itch and become red because of exposure to the UVB light. The amount of UVB administered may need to be reduced to avoid further irritation. Occasionally, temporary flares occur even with non-burning doses of UVB. These reactions may resolve with continued UVB treatment.

what is the best over the counter lotion or shampoo in treatment of pubic lice? I am from philippines...hope your prescription is available at mercury drug stores

A lice-killing shampoo made of 1% permethrin or pyrethrin is recommended to treat pubic lice. These products are available without a prescription at your local drug store. Medication is generally very effective; apply the medication exactly as directed on the bottle. A prescription medication, called Lindane (1%) is available through your health care provider. Lindane is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, or for children less than 2 years old.

Hello doctor I am fair skinned 25 yrs guy.My underarms and bikini line have turned dark because of shaving from last one year.Now i dont shave anymore but have switched to waxing these areas.The darkness has decreased a little but not to that extent.earlier i had used benzoic acid but it worsened the condition and caused itching.so i stopped using that.I have used azelaic acid for a month or so but no results.I have found somewhere on the net that clobetasol propionate is helpful in such cases for depigmentation.Is that true? How far are glycolic cleansers effective?Pls help!!

Before trying a skin-lightening product that you have not used before, you may want to consult a dermatologist. Several potentially harmful skin-lightening products are entering in UAE. These products have the potential to worsen and can cause other skin conditions, such as severe dermatitis and rosacea.

Clobetasol is used to treat the itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, inflammation, and discomfort of various skin and scalp conditions and it doesnt have any depigmenting action.Over-the-counter creams contain low concentrations of hydroquinone, the most commonly-used depigmenting agent is often effective for mild forms of melasma when used twice daily. Chemical peels like glycolic acid ,microdermabrasion, and laser surgery may help , but results have not been consistent.

I have heard that Psoriasis is a hereditary disease. I m newly married. How can I prevent my baby from this?

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, genetic disease manifesting in the skin and or the joints.Psoriasis is not contagious. It is not something you can "catch" or "pass on." No one knows exactly what causes psoriasis, but it is believed to have a genetic component.A normal skin cell matures and falls off the bodys surface in 28 to 30 days. But a psoriatic skin cell takes only three to four days to mature and move to the surface. Instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up and form the lesions.

No special blood tests or diagnostic tools exist to diagnose psoriasis. There is no cure, but many different treatments.

Some of the new treatments are some newer noncortisone creams (Protopic or Elidel) that do not have side effects like cortisone preparations .Remicade (generic name infliximab) is now approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic, severe plaque psoriasis.For more prescribing information you can contact any dermatologist.

This is Zamina from India.Iam a 25 year old girl who is working in a private firm after completing my MBA. I have a serious skin problem and two months back I visited a dermatologist and found out that its a fungal infection and curing possibility is only 50%. The Dermatologist just told me its a fungal infection. I went through the web and checked with my symptoms and Iam confused whether this is a Candida infection,. Im dark skinned and this fungal infection has worsened my skin in all sweat areas inclusive of my neck,under-arms,inner thighs,under breasts etc.. Iam 5'2 ht and weigh 62 kgs.Being a Science graduate I came to understand the cause and effects of this fungal attack but did not reveal to my mom till it worsened to such an extent. The areas especially my underarms and thighs have become deposited with thick layers of skin,darkened,and really smelling bad.I understood my ignorance and now want to really know whether there will be a solution for my problem. iam totally depressed and dont want to delay anymore.will I have a cure for this.will I have a future.I was so ignorant that my case has become so worsened . Doctor Please help me out. Thanks and regards.

Fungus is all around us, on floors, in dirt, and on other people. It is hard to avoid forever. It likes warmth and moisture, making certain parts of the skin more vulnerable. A fungus is a superficial skin problem, not an internal one. It does not spread by going inside the body.

Candidiasis is also an infection of the skin caused by the fungus candida.Good general health and hygiene help prevent candida infections. Keep the skin clean and dry. Drying powders may help prevent fungal infections in people who are susceptible to them.

Ketoconazole is most often used to treat fungal infections that can spread to different parts of the body through the bloodstream such as yeast infections of the mouth, skin, urinary tract, and blood, and certain fungal infections that begin on the skin or in the lungs and can spread through the body. Ketoconazole is also used to treat fungal infections of the skin or nails that cannot be treated with other medications.It comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day.

How can I treat folliculitis? Several Doctors have been unsuccessful.

Folliculitis, skin abscesses, and carbuncles are pus-filled pockets in the skin resulting from bacterial infection. Most skin infections involving pus-filled pockets are caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria .Folliculitis is an infection of a hair follicle. It looks like a tiny white pimple at the base of a hair. There may be only one infected follicle or many.

People who have poor hygiene or chronic skin diseases or whose nasal passages contain Staphylococcus are more likely to have episodes of these skin infections.

Antibiotics that kill staphylococci, such as dicloxacillin and cephalexin, may be used because of the high risk that the infection will spread to the brain.Topical antibiotics with mupirocin or clindamycin are applied 2 to 3 times per day.

I am a 25yr old female. It started three years ago, when I had an ingrown hair on the top of my leg. I purchased Tend Skin from the internet, and tried it. (which burned like crazy) It left me with a round dark brown spot, which I assumed was a scar. It never hurt, bled, oozed etc. Never had any problems with it. Three years later (now) I started putting Neosporin on the spot 2x a day for a week, hoping it might fade a little. The spot started peeling. A few days later, I woke up with small red spots on my upper legs. Over the next few days, more spots appeared, mostly on my upper legs/thighs. I have one on each arm, one on my wrist. (about 30) The spots are perfectly round, red, and dont itch. At first they got little scales on them. They never bled, oozed, or wept. I went to my doctor, and he thought it was an allergic reaction, and gave me hydrocortisone cream, told me to use it 2x a day. I used it for 3 weeks, like I was told, and the spots have gotten worse. Since using the cream, they get a circular white scale around the perimeter, the scale eventually peels and they gradually get larger. My original spot looks awful, darker red, and has gotten much larger, and now feels kind of raw. (which it never did before) My doctor referred me to a dermatologist, but the soonest available appointment isnt until December. I quit using the cream. Is there something I should try instead?

For decades, topical corticosteroids have been the mainstay of topical psoriasis treatment. One new topical medication Clobetasol propionate is easy to use and not as messy as other topical medications.Patients who like the product and see results will be more inclined to stick with the treatment regimen over time.

My mother 53 has developed vitiligo.she has taken several therapies but the white patches keep appearing, some of them have started to get brown spots in them, some have faded also,still newer ones are continously appearing.she takes tab ketress, and uses a skin color regulating gel; ViTix. is there any chance of getting her back to normal? she cant take any oral medications as she suffers from peptic ulcer.All the other medications have proved to be useless and its causing her a lot of frustration.

Melanin, the pigment that determines color of skin, hair, and eyes, is produced in cells called melanocytes. If these cells die or cannot form melanin, the skin becomes lighter or completely white.

The best treatment for vitiligo is no treatment at all.In fair-skinned individuals, avoiding tanning of normal skin can make areas of vitiligo almost unnoticeable because the (no pigment) white skin, of vitiligo has no natural protection from sun. These areas are easily sunburned, and people with vitiligo have an increased risk to skin cancer. They should wear a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 should be used on all areas of vitiligo not covered by clothing. Avoid the sun when it is most intense to avoid burns.

The color from self-tanning creams also slowly wears off. None of these change the disease, but they can improve appearance. Micropigmentation tatooing of small areas may be helpful.

Treatment can be aimed at returning normal pigment (repigmentation) or destroying remaining pigment (depigmentation). None of the repigmentation methods are permanent cures.

PUVA is a form of repigmentation therapy where a type of medication known as psoralen is used. This chemical makes the skin very sensitive to light. Then the skin is treated with a special type of ultraviolet light call UVA. Sometimes, when vitiligo is limited to a few small areas, psoralens can be applied to the vitiligo areas before UVA treatments.Usually at least a year of twice weekly treatments are required. PUVA must be given under close supervision by your dermatologist.

Transfer of skin from normal to white areas is a treatment available .It does not generally result in total return of pigment in treated areas.

Excimer lasers may be tried as well.

At this time, the exact cause of vitiligo is not known, however, there may be an inherited component. Although treatment is available, there is no single cure.

I am 25 year old, female.when I was 17 years old I got herpes type 2,near in the vaginal opening.I dont have sexual intercourse,but it was treated.Iam thankful because with in the span of 8 years it did not came back. Doctor, is their any possibilities that it will appear again? Is it true that I got it from the toilet, I usually seat? Is their any blood test to be done,to be sure if its in my blood and what are those precautions? thank you.

Blood tests can be used when a person has no visible symptoms but has concerns about having herpes. Blood tests do not actually detect the virus; instead, they look for antibodies (the bodys immune response) in the blood.There are currently four FDA-approved, gG-based blood tests that can give accurate results for herpes. Like any blood test, these tests cannot determine whether the site of infection is oral or genital.These accurate, type-specific tests are:

biokitHSV-2 Rapid Test

HerpeSelect® HSV-1 and HSV-2 tests

Herpes Western blot

CAPTIA™ HSV IgG Type-Specific ELISAs

There are two types of herpes simplex: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). The majority of oral herpes cases are caused by HSV-1 and the majority of genital herpes cases are caused by HSV-2.

Herpes is most easily spread from genital-to-genital or oral-to-genital contact.

It isnt spread through the air or toilet seats, swimming pools, or regular social interaction such as shaking hands. The virus can be active on the surface of the skin without showing any signs or causing any symptoms. Thats why you can pass the virus to your partner even when you are not having an outbreak.

While a blood test may tell you if you have genital herpes, it cannot tell you how long you have been infected. So if you hve been recently diagnosed, it does not necessarily mean that a long-term partner has been sexually unfaithful. You may have been previously infected with the virus, and like millions of others, unaware of your condition. Likewise, your partner may be infected and not be aware of it. The important thing is to recommend to your partner that he or she get tested for the virus.

Doctor for last 3 to 4 months I have this problem. Im a married girl, 23 years old.First it started 2 to 3 white circular spots on my back and leg.And after few days they became red and rough. I thought its because of the rough weather or dry skin. So I started to moisture my skin after each bath. But they are increasing day by day slowly and gradually. They become dark reddish and rough.And when they start there in no hair growth at that spot.I used lotion for about 3 months and when it didnt work I started to use olive oil. And still using.But it also doesnt work. PLEASE HELP ME SIR I AM SO WORRIED.TRY TO REPLY ME SOON. Is it possible because of the excessive chlorine in water.Although I use cold water to take bath. Or are they because of sunlight.Although I do not go outdoors very often. And if there is a need to use a sun block. Then please tell me which one is suitable for me.

It seems you are suffering from Tinea versicolor . A common skin condition due to overgrowth of a skin surface yeast.The yeast normally lives in the pores of the skin and thrives in oily areas such as the neck, upper chest, and back.The pale spots, which are affected by the yeast, become more noticeable, especially on dark skin. The yeast is normally present in small numbers on everyones skin. Anyone can develop an overgrowth of yeast. During the summer months when the temperature and humidity are high, the yeast can increase. The excess yeast on the skin prevents the normal pigmentation process, resulting in light and dark spots.In tropical countries with continuous high heat and high humidity, people can have these spots year round.A special light may help to make the diagnosis by showing a yellow green color where the skin is affected.

Tinea versicolor is treated with topical or oral medications. Topical treatment includes special cleansers including some shampoos, creams, or lotions applied directly to the skin. Use of the prescription medicines should be supervised by your dermatologist. After any form of treatment, the uneven color of the skin may remain several months after the yeast has been eliminated until the skin repigments normally.

Each patient is treated by the dermatologist according to the severity and location of the disease, the climate, and the desire of the patient. Its important to remember that the yeast is easy to kill, but it can take weeks or months for the skin to regain its normal color.

My son is 3 years old. On Monday when I picked him from daycare I noticed he had some sort of rash on his legs and arms. I took him to the doctor, and at first the doctor said it looked like he was having some sort of allergic reaction. Then another doctor came in and stated that it looked like chickenpox and they sent us home with a prescription on diphenhist and cortane cream. He has not spiked a fever and although he doesnt complain about some of the bumps itching he also complains about them hurting as well. They are also isolated to his arms legs and buttox. (His underwear line and inner thigh/groin area.) What is concerning me about these bumps however is that they are mainly in clusters, and two of the clusters are rather large. Is this typical with chickenpox? I have read that usually it is on face neck and upper torso, and yet he has none there. Could this be something else? And if it is chicken pox is there a way I can speed up the crustover process with and ointment or anything? ( I read that maybe a sulfur ointment could help)

Chickenpox is one of the classic childhood diseases, and one of the most contagious. The affected child develop hundreds of itchy, fluid-filled blisters that burst and form crusts. Chickenpox is caused by a virus.The virus that causes chickenpox is varicella-zoster.The first half of the week the child feels miserable from intense itching; the second half from boredom.

Most children with chickenpox act sick with vague symptoms, such as a fever, headache, tummy ache, or loss of appetite, for a day or two before breaking out in the classic pox rash. These symptoms last 2 to 4 days after breaking out.The blisters often appear first on the face, trunk, or scalp and spread from there.Blood tests, and tests of the pox blisters themselves, can confirm the diagnosis.

Oatmeal baths in lukewarm water provide a crusty, comforting coating on the skin. An oral antihistamine can help to ease the itching, as can topical lotions. Lotions containing antihistamines are not proven more effective. Trim the fingernails short to reduce secondary infections and scarring.Do not use Aspirin.A prescription drug called acyclovir used in treating the symptoms in people older than 2 years.

I am a 29 year old female and i have had body odor problems since i was 14. i bath 2 times atleast a day and use deodorant. i have been to several dermatologist and still no real solution. i have read that an endocrinologist can help possibly. if you have any ideas at all to what i should do or who i should see i would appreciate that alot. i think that someone should really research this problem i beleive that there are many people out there that can not live life the way the would due to this problem. Please help!

There are some new treatments.You may try botulinum toxin ,it paralyzes the sweat glands decreasing sweat production and accordingly,the bacteria that produces the odor that accompanies it.Botulinum toxin can ameliorate or even improve body odor.

The skin on the tips of my fingers on my hands dry up and crack open. Then they heal and become hard and once again crack open its like a cycle. They never comletely heal. This has been going on for a year, I have taken steroids, penicillin, topical creams and many other medication nothing has worked, and I have seen many dermatologist...What do you think this could be and what advice do you give me? no one seems to know and I cant live with my fingers like this...Thank you so much

Please click the following link

http://www.gulfmd.com/dermatology%20-%20skin/dry_cracked_hands.asp?id=8&curId=2672 http://www.gulfmd.com/dermatology%20-%20skin/Nail_File.asp?id=8&curId=1825

I have Exfoliative keratolysis on my hands.... what is the treatment for this.... what can i do to make the peeling stop, its embarrassing .

It is more common during the summer months Emollient hand creams especially those containing 10% Urea ,lactic acid preparations helps to retain water for longer in the stratum corneum and prevents water loss by slowing down evaporation. Do not use it on broken (cracked or bleeding) skin or on any area that is infected or oozing, or where there is severe widespread reddening of the skin Most urea preparations are available from your pharmacy.

Dear Doctor, I am from India, working in Kuwait.I have been developing white patches in all ten fingers tips below my nails. I also have white patches in my lips and tip of ulted many doctors in Kuwait but no one could really cure me for the past one year. I am used to words from doctors like MAYBE...MightBE... Lets see...we can try these...etc with good amount of fees. I am unable to find a real expert for my skin problems. I am working in computer division and my hands fingers are always exposed to the users in my company, and i feel very uneasiness talking to them thinking what these people will say looking at my lips and fingers white patches. Please help me to cure my skin problems. I had used mediscene 1)PABATAB - 500mg – Tablets 2)NEOSORALEN – 5mg- Tablets Please give me some good advice.

People with this disorder can experience emotional stress, particularly if vitiligo develops on visible areas of the body, such as the face, hands, arms, feet.Some people who have vitiligo feel embarrassed, ashamed, depressed, or worried about how others will react.First, it is important to find a doctor who is knowledgeable about vitiligo and takes the disorder seriously.Therapy for vitiligo takes a long time--it usually must be continued for 6 to 18 months. The choice of therapy depends on the number of white patches and how widespread they are and on the patients preference for treatment.

Psoralen photochemotherapy (psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy, or PUVA) is probably the most beneficial treatment for vitiligo .The goal of PUVA therapy is to repigment the white patches. However, it is time-consuming .Psoralens are drugs that contain chemicals that react with ultraviolet light to cause darkening of the skin. Topical psoralen photochemotherapy often is used for people with a small number of depigmented patches .The new research is melanocyte transplants.

What is the best way to treat rosacea?

There are many therapies now available to treat the various potential signs and symptoms of rosacea, from topical medications to laser therapy.The signs and symptoms of rosacea vary from one patient to another, treatment must be tailored by a physician for each individual case.Products containing a sulfur drug or azelaic acid is used.Vascular lasers may also be used to help retard the buildup of excess tissue, and in severe cases a CO2 laser may be used to remove unwanted tissue .As with any surgical technique, the safety and effectiveness of laser therapy may depend on the skill of the physician.

I am a 26 year old male, who has been having severe hair fall since a couple of years. I think I have got the symptoms of acne as well, because I have an oily skin with pimples on my back and occasionally popping on my face as well. recently my scalp has also started to form boils or maybe pimples that hurt upon touching and bleed. Depending on the weather maybe, sometimes my scalp secretes a greasy substance but these days it is dry and flaky. My hair has degraded a lot and now it is dry and lifeless and easily plugs out if the scalp. at the root of the hair, there is always a plug of dry oil covering the root. its the same kind that happens on my back. Please advise me how to get rid of this pain.

A number of things can cause excessive hair loss.Hormonal problems and some medicines can cause hair loss. Fungal infections of the scalp can cause hair loss . The infection is easily treated with antifungal medicines.

Depending on your type of hair loss, treatments are available. If a medicine is causing your hair loss, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine. Recognizing and treating an infection may help stop the hair loss. Correcting a hormone imbalance may prevent further hair loss.

Minoxidil (Rogaine), is available without a prescription. It is applied to the scalp. Both men and women can use it. Another medicine, finasteride (Propecia) is available with a prescription. It comes in pills and is only for men. It may take up to 6 months before you can tell if one of these medicines is working.

I started using driclor under my arms around four years ago.I used it 2-3 times a week for about 3 months,everything worked well and I stayed completely dry,then after 3 months I started to get compensatory sweating on my back,so I used it there only a couple of times,then it shifted to my groin so I used it there only a couple of times.the thing that bothers me is I hardly sweat anywhere now and I get very hot.I havent used driclor for 2-3 years and there is still no change.the thing that gets to me more than the hot flushes is I have body odor lot worse than when I used to sweat.Its not normal body odor.is there a possibility I have damaged my sweat ducts,or maybe stopped my body signals that send the sweat to these areas.If so any advice would be appreciated.when I say I hardly sweat I mean around 10% of what I used to.I have found 2 people online who have had this same problem and it worries me that they cant find a solution either.

Sweating plays an important role in the body because it helps maintain body temperature by cooling you down. When you are hot and you sweat, that moisture evaporates and cools you off a bit.The best product is available by prescription for excessive sweating is Drysol.

Lack of sweating can be life-threatening because the body will overheat. If the lack of sweating is localized (happening in a small area only), it is usually not as dangerous.Some of the cause are Neurologic disorders ,Trauma to sweat glands ,Skin diseases that block sweat glands .You can use a drug to stimulate sweating ,a skin biopsy may be performed.

Dear Doc,I am 35 years old married and have 2 kids.I m suffering from marks and its so itchy,I went to many doctors had checkup but everything is fine that is what they say,but still it increases,now my full body I have marks,last week I went to neetas herbal I thought I may find something but nothing the doctor saw my body she said it is PSORIASIS she advice me to take AloeVeraGel from Living forever cream and gel to mix and apply and Aloevera to drink twice a day 1/2 an hour before food.Can you suggest what medicines to be taken.or how do we know if PSORIASIS if blood checkup is done but nothing shows? How does it show if its PSORIASIS,how do PSORIASIS starts and what cause it?what we feel when we have it and what can stop it? will the marks fade away or not? can I use laser to treat this?if yes will it come back again if gone by laser? please advice me iam so tired and fed up with my skin.I feel like killing my self.How long will it take to fade away marks?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is classically characterized by thickened, red areas of skin covered with silvery scales.Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition. This means the condition is caused by faulty signals in the body’s immune system. It is believed that psoriasis develops when the immune system tells the body to over-react and accelerate the growth of skin cells.

There are many treatment options that can clear psoriasis for a period of time.Each treatment has advantages and disadvantages, and what works for one patient may not be effective for another. Psoriasis treatments fall into 3 categories:

Topical (applied to the skin) – Mild to moderate psoriasis

Phototherapy (light, usually ultraviolet, applied to the skin) – Moderate to severe psoriasis

Systemic (taken orally or by injection or infusion) – Moderate, severe or disabling psoriasis Phototherapy can require 2 to 5 weekly visits to a dermatologist or psoriasis clinic for several weeks

Many of the systemic medications have serious side effects and must be combined or rotated with other therapies to maximize effectiveness and minimize side effects.

The new treatments are biologic therapies ,they do not cause kidney or liver damage and have fewer risks and side effects than traditional therapies .

Dear Doctor, can you please tell me what is PRURITUS? what cause it to come? and what happen to the skin?Do we get itchy and dark marks? Can you please tell me how and what is the treatment?

Pruritus is an itch or a sensation that makes a person want to scratch. The exact cause of an itch is unknown. It is a complex process involving nerves that respond to certain chemicals like histamine that are released in the skin, and the processing of nerve signals in the brain. To determine a specific cause of the itch, a blood test, skin scraping, or biopsy may be needed to help make the diagnosis.

If the itch is due to a skin disease such as hives or eczema, treatment of the skin disease, itself, with prescription topical medications and/or oral antihistamines generally relieves the itch. If the itch is secondary to an internal disease, may require treatment of the disease, oral medication, or occasionally ultraviolet light therapy to relieve the itch.

Although there are many causes for pruritus, some basics apply to most treatments:

When bathing or showering, use lukewarm water.

Use mild cleansers with low pH.

Rinse soap film off completely, pat the skin lightly, and immediately apply a moisturizing lotion or cream after bathing. Wear light, loose clothing.

A cool work or domestic environment can help reduce the severity of itching.

For itchy conditions where blistering or weeping of the skin is present, such as chicken pox or poison ivy, a cool oatmeal bath or topical drying agents such as calamine lotion can be helpful.

I have suffered from chicken pox these days.Now im ok. but I couldnt look my face in the mirror. Kindly advice me how to get rid of these marks.Is there any ointment for clearing these marks atleast in my face? What diet shall I have to take through?Can I oil my hair ?

Chickenpox is a common disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is part of the herpesvirus family. chickenpox is nothing to do with chickens.But the virus that causes chickenpox can lie dormant within the body and can cause a different type of skin eruption later in life called shingles, also referred to as herpes-zoster.

They develop into thin-walled blisters filled with clear fluid, which then becomes cloudy. The blister wall breaks, leaving open sores, which finally crust over to become dry, brown scabs. One of the most characteristic features of the chickenpox rash is that all stages of the lesions can be present at the same time.

To improve scars resulting from chicken pox you can go for dermabrasion, or skin planing is a surgical procedure in which removes or "sands" the skin with a rotary abrasive instrument to improve its contour.Dermabrasion cannot be expected to eliminate or improve all scars. Some deeper scars require the use of other procedures to obtain the best results.

Dear Doctor, I am a 28 year old female. I have just discovered that I have acanthosis nigricans and have been tested for diabetes which has come back negative. My next step is to see my obs/gyn and then an endocrinologist. The one thing that I havent mentioned to my doctors is that since I had my daughter 3 years ago, I have not only been sweating excessively in all areas, but hair has grown on my fingers, toes and chest. Its so embarrassing that I havent been able to mention it. So I would like to ask you if you know of anything that can cause excessive hair growth in a female. Hopefully with your answer I will build up the strength to mention it to my doctors. Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer me.

Excessive hair growth over a face and chest in females usually indicates hyperandrogenism or increase in male sex hormones. Acanthosis Nigricans could be a part of the same spectrum which we call HAIR AN syndrome which in turn is a sub type of SAHA syndrome .This condition is not uncommon. Please discuss this with your gynaecologist/endocrinologist. They will be able to tackle the underlying hormonal abnormality if it exists. Consult a dermatologist to discuss the treatment options for the skin changes like acanthosis nigricans and excessive hair growth.

Dear Sir: I am suffering from Dermographism. I just had this like 2 years ago. It is not itchy but the weals is annoying though it subsides after few minutes. I have taken reactine as per my doctors advice but I stopped taking it because of the side effects (ie: drowsiness, fatigue) and also I dont think it works with me. Is there any cure for this skin disorder? Some say just take antihistamines some say there is no known cure yet. Your expertise regarding this matter is highly appreciated. Thank you,

Dermographism is the most common form of a subset of chronic hives known as physical urticaria. However routine hematological and biochemical screening tests are sometimes needed to confirm that the condition is indeed dermographism. Unless the skin is highly sensitive and reacts continually, treatment is not needed. Taking antihistamines can reduce the response if it is too annoying. In many patients, the condition gradually improves and clears after several years. Regards

Doctor I am a 35 year old male suffering from Alopecia for the Last one year.First it comes in small patch in head and I applied Erythrocin 500mg , Ducray Gell, Regaine 5% after months it comes back . Now it is coming in mustache in 2 three patches Please advise. What is good treatment and how I can stop this patches.

You are probably suffering from a condition called Alopecia Areata. Since it is a form of reaction by your own body to your hair (autoimmune reaction) recurrence rates are relatively high even after successful treatment. The treatment and the response depend on the site and extend of disease. For example, the response will be poor in asthmatics and in lesions over the back of the head. What you have tried so far is the first line of treatment. The next level is to inject steroid into the bald patches which is very effective if used properly.

It is important to treat any associated infection (recurrent sore throat or dental infections) and to reduce your stress levels for better results. Newer treatment modalities like Narrow Band UVB or PUVA can be tried. Age old treatments like topical irritants may still work. In any case, you need to consult a dermatologist to decide what is best for you.

I am 19 year old girl . I have two serious problems. 3 years ago I discovered that my labias( both inner and outer) have turned black, I havent told anyone because I am shy of it. I read in a magazine that it is a fungal infection and so I applied MIKOZAL for 2 week but nothing happened, now I have seen that this blackness is also going inside my labias I am very scared please help me. my second problem is that I have dark underarms I also applied MIKOZAL to them but nothing happened what should I do.

Pigmentation over the groin, labia and arm pits can be due to many conditions, fungal infection being one among them. However fungal infection is usually itchy and would have responded to 2 weeks of miconazole cream you have applied. Second most common cause for this type of pigmentation is a bacterial infection called Erythrasma which will respond to antibiotics like erythromycin. A dermatologist will be able to diagnose this condition by seeing it under a special UV light called Woods lamp. In any case it is not a bad idea to consult a dermatologist to rule out other causes like acanthosis nigricans.

What is the medicine for melasma?

Melasma is a dark skin discoloration found on sun-exposed areas of the face. Melasma is a very common skin disorder. Though it can affect anyone, young women with brownish skin tones are at greatest risk.Melasma is often associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is especially common in pregnant women, women who are taking oral contraceptives ,and women taking hormone replacement therapy during menopause.Sun exposure is also a strong risk factor for melasma.

A combination of tretinoin cream and a bleaching cream containing hydroquinone may be helpful in fading some types of melasma. Occasionally, your physician may add chemical peels or topical steroid creams as well. In severe cases, laser treatments can be used to remove the dark pigment.Most importantly, however, sun avoidance and daily sunscreen use are key to avoiding melasma.

Disclaimer: Always seek the advice of a trained health professional before seeking any new treatment regarding your medical diagnosis or condition. Any information received through this email is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure. This email is for information purposes only.

Between my ring finger and the index finger on my right hand I am experiencing problems with red and itchy skin rash. I uses Bacitracin ointment it will dry up and in a few more days it will be back again. Whenever my hands are in warm water it will burn and itch. It itches so badly that some sort of watery fluid burst and it becomes more itchy especially at nights. I think maybe a fungal infection. Please inform me of a treatment. Regards

From the description (which I must say is nicely done), I can think of two common conditions. Hand eczema or a fungal infection. Yet another possibility is a condition called scabies caused by a mite especially if you have visited any of the endemic areas recently. Hand eczema usually result from a combination of sensitive skin and irritation or an allergic reaction from materials touched. However your type of hand eczema is more likely be due to sensitive skin than due to materials touched. Hence

· Avoid excessive use of soaps, detergents, chemicals, or other substances which can damage the protective layer of your skin. When washing your hands, use lukewarm water and a small amount of mild soap.

· Wear waterproof gloves while peeling and squeezing lemons, oranges, or grapefruit, peeling potatoes, and handling tomatoes.

· Rings often worsen dermatitis by trapping irritating materials beneath them. Remove your rings when doing house work and before washing your hands.

· Rarely it can be due to allergy to nickel which is present in certain food items like cocoa and chocolate, soya beans, oatmeal, nuts and almonds, fresh and dried legumes etc.

However you may have to consult a dermatologist to rule out fungal infection or scabies which is possible with the help of simple tests. If it is fungal infection, you need to apply an anti-fungal cream for the prescribed duration. Duration is very important as recurrence is common.

Hand eczema is usually treated with steroid creams during initial phase and a protective hand cream for long term prevention.

Good Evening Doctor, I want to inquire about the hyper pigmentation treatment, Iam 26 years old suffering from pigmentation ( armpit, elbow and knees) it is really bothering. I tried crystal peel and green peel but non was useful, I need a treatment that cures as Iam fed up from moving between clinics to find a solution. I would also appreciate if you could tell me in which clinic you are working so that I can come for treatment. Thank and Regards

Hyperpigmentation is common problem and may be due to various skin conditions most of which are harmless. Post-inflammatory skin darkening is a common occurrence after irritation or injury to the skin. Since you have pigmentation over pressure points which are prone to irritation, this is the most likely cause. Hence try to avoid excessive irritation and pressure over these areas. Avoid keeping your elbows on the table, kneeling down for long duration over rough surfaces, constant scratching etc. Though there is a condition called Addisons disease which can cause pigmentation over sun exposed and pressure areas, it is relatively rare and is usually associated with other symptoms. Pigmentation over the neck and arm pits may be due to a common condition called acanthosis nigricans which in most cases will improve with weight reduction and exercise. Though there are depigmenting creams and various peels available for treatment, these treatments will help only if you take care of these simple things mentioned above.

Dear doctor ,can I use Methotrexate tablet for psoriasis ? Does it have any complication ?

Bothersome side effects of methotrexate include headache, drowsiness, itching, skin rash, dizziness, and hair loss. Serious side effects include toxicity of the liver, bone marrow or, rarely, lungs. Your doctor would advice you to do some tests periodically to asses the toxicity and it is important to strictly adhere to your doctors instructions. Check with your doctor if you develop acne, vomiting, itching, sensitivity to sunlight, headache or drowsiness. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop reddening of skin or sores on mouth or skin. Maintain a diary of the drug dosage because the cumulative dose of this medicine taken by you is important information for your doctor. Finally a word of caution. It should not be used in pregnancy.

Dr Bell Raj Eapen MSc, MD, DNB, Dip. Derm(UK)

Doctor I am a 37 year old male suffering from Alopecia for the Last 4 years.First in 2003 I have done treatment like KneacorA, Cap. Oxoralen, Tab.Gupisone etc. and stopped. After that I tested some herbal medicines and stopped. When the condition become worse I was using Diprofos Injection in 2005 may,July& September. There was good improvement in hair my hair growth.After September 2005 I stopped taking injection, and using Minoxidle 5%. But the condition is severe once I stopped the injection. Please advise .Is there any problem for continuing Diprofos injection.

You are probably suffering from a condition called Alopecia Areata. The treatments depend on the site and extend of disease. For example, the response will be poor in asthmatics and in lesions over the back of the head .Most of the treatments you have received so far are steroids. All steroids including the one you mentioned can cause serious side effects on prolonged use.

It is important to treat any associated infection (recurrent sore throat or dental infections) and to reduce your stress levels for better results. Newer treatment modalities like Narrow Band UVB or PUVA can be tried. Age old treatments like topical irritants may still work. Your doctor may even start you on drugs belonging immuno- suppressants group, to avoid the side effects of long term steroid use though these drugs are not safe either. Taking steroids in higher dose for few days a week (Oral Mini Pulse) is also effective with marginally better safety profile.

In any case, you need to consult a dermatologist to decide what is best for you.

Dear Sir,Can you give kind information about : New treatment of Vitiligo\Psoriasis? Can we use DIFFOR ? Can you give me dosage and the side effects?

Vitiligo and psoriasis are two different diseases. Please see the page at

http://www.gulfmd.com/QueAns/QueAns.asp?did=discon&id=8 where I have answered a similar question. This forum is not intended for information or opinion on commercially available drug formulations.

Dr.Bell Raj Eapen

I have hypertension as did both my parents. I noticed that my mother started to get dark patches (brown) around her temples (both sides). I have noticed that I too have a darker patch on my right side temple. Do I need to worry about it?

The pigmentation on both sides of the face your mother had was probably a condition called melasma or chloasma. It is supposed to be due to sun exposure or hormonal influence. In most cases it is just a cosmetic problem. Treatment includes sunscreens and depigmenting agents.

Genetic predisposition is a major factor in the development of melasma and it is not uncommon in males. However since it is only on one side of the face, we need to consider few other conditions too in your case including drug reactions. Avoid fragrance containing hair or face cosmetics as they may contain chemicals which sensitise your skin to sunlight. Use a good sunscreen. If the problem persists or if it increases in size or number consult a dermatologist.

Dr.Bell Eapen

Hi.I am 21 years old. My problem is related to my hair and skin! I badly need your help! My hair before 10 years use to be healthy and strong. then I had lice in my hair, then later my hair had no lice but my hair started falling and I had dandruff. now my hair is very thin, severe hairfall, bald patches, hair oily, no hair growth, hair damage and dandruff. i recently had a haircut! but the hairstylist made a very bad short haircut. so I want to grow my hair back long and healthy!please help! about my skin I use to be fair but now it has turned dark. My hands are very dark! please help I need a solution! its making me mad!

Hair fall may be due to various reasons, dandruff and male pattern hair loss being the common causes. Dandruff in turn may be due to a fungal growth, dry skin or due to other skin diseases like psoriasis. Ordinary dandruff will respond to OTC anti-dandruff products, but the rarer forms need medical treatment.

Mail pattern hair loss is so common that it cannot be considered a disease. Various medical and surgical treatment modalities are available for this.

Health of your hair is not different from the health of your body. So a healthy life style and a balanced diet will definitely help.

As far as the damage your hair stylist has done to your hair, I am sorry I cannot help you. Your change in complexion may be due to excessive sun exposure. Try using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more.

Hi my name is mike I am 19 years old. I believe I have Psoriasis but I am not sure. I went to a dermatologist a handful of times and they said I had vitiligo. Patches of my skin have turned smooth and white. However, the reason I do not believe them is because the white patches of skin get dry and peal. Often after I itch a certain area near the patches of skin the skin will peal and reveal another white patch. That is how the patches spread, after the skin peals. I have had this problem for a few years and some of the patches go away but for the most part it has kept spreading. The dryness really kicks in when I get out of the shower. The other day the dryness was so bad I could actually peel skin off with my fingernail. I have been putting Vaseline on the area and the dryness has DRASTICALLY decreased. Recently, the majority of the itching has stopped. However the white patches seem to be changing a reddish color. I will try to get to my local doctor as soon as possible but right now it is difficult with college. Based on what I have told you what do you think?

Your description is incomplete as you have not included the region of the body involved and has few contradictions (like smooth patch with peeling of skin both of which cannot occur together).

Cardinal features of psoriasis are redness, thickening and scaling often associated with rough nails and minimal itching, but lesions are never white. Vitiligo is characterized by milky white patches with no redness, thickening or scaling. Since you have white patches and scaling it could be just dry skin over vitiligo patches (I prefer to believe your dermatologist J ) or a condition called PLC which comes under the spectrum of parapsoriasis (making your assumption partially right). If the diagnosis is in doubt skin biopsy may be helpful.

In either case it is not a bad idea to meet your doctor again.

RECOMMEND AN EFFECTIVE EMOLLIENT CREAM LOCALLY AVAILABLE IN DUBAI FOR XEROSIS.

Most of the commercially available emollients are effective. Your doctor may prescribe a specific emollient depending on your skin condition.

I am 23 years old married girl.I have the problem of burning feet for last 4 or 5 years. My left foot burns too much especially whenever I do hard work on a day, by standing most of the time and whenever I am much tense about something.Sometimes my both feet burn but the left one always more.And very often both my left foot and hand burn.I have no hereditary problem in this respect no other disease,not even pregnant.I have no children.Please sir suggest something for it or tell your diagnosis.This problem is worsening day by day.Waiting for your immediate reply.

Burning feet may be due to athletes foot. But when this symptom occurs over a longer period, it can indicate a serious disorder and should be evaluated by a doctor.

One probable cause of burning feet is sensory peripheral neuropathy.This results from damage to the nerves that transmit sensation from arms, feets and legs to the brain.

Probable causes are - diabetic neuropathy,alcohol abuse,Vit - B12 deficiency.Treatment is directed at the underlying condition.

Some tips to relieve the discomfort is avoid standing for long periods,bath your feet in cold water.

Hello sir, I am a 19 year old male and I am fighting pretty severe acne as of right now. I have had no problems with major acne outbreaks before I was in my late teens. It seems like the acne I have tends to inflamed and goes away but keeps coming back over the previous spot where it first broke out and goes to other areas of my cheek as well. I have been prescribed tetracyclin and some benozyl cream from my dermatologist but it doesnt seem to stop it. I was wondering what you could recommend I do when the acne reoccurs over the same spots. And my other question is I seem to have dark purple spots (scars) on my face where the acne used to be even if the area is totally flat. I was wondering if this scarring or discoloration could be cured with something, goes away over time, or needs some type of laser treatment to fix. Thanks for your help and sorry for the long questions.

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sebaceous hair follicles.Each follicle contains a tiny hair and multiple sebaceous glands. Under normal circumstances, sebum, the oily substance made by the sebaceous glands, travels up the hair follicle and out to the skins surface. Acne develops on those areas of the skin where sebaceous glands are most numerous.Acne is actually caused by a variety of biologic factors.

One approach to treating acne is to target the bacteria Propionobacterium Acnes using laser technology to damage the sebaceous glands.

Regarding your acne scars ,they are the visible reminders of injury and tissue repair.This injury is caused by the bodys inflammatory response to sebum bacteria and dead cells.Lasers of various wavelength and intensity may be used to recontour scar tissue and reduce the redness of skin around healed acne lesions.

A dermatologists help is required.

I have been infected by genital herpes for last one year .I am 28 year old .please give me a advice, can I marry or not? Thanking you in advance

Keep in mind that you are one of millions of people with herpes.If you have a history of herpes and you are going to marry a girl do not have it, be sure to use condoms during sexual intercourse at all times. You could pass the infection to your partner even if there are no painful sores.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). They typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur. Generally, a person can only get HSV-2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection.

There are different tests available for herpes. One test, a viral culture, can be done if you are experiencing symptoms. Blood tests are available for people who may not have had symptoms or if the signs have already healed. Not all tests are accurate.

There is no cure for herpes.But medicines can help.Acyclovir pills can treat primary or recurrent herpes and can stop or lessen the number of recurrences.Famciclovir and valacyclovir are other medicines used to treat recurrent genital herpes and for prevention of recurrences. All of these medications, which are taken orally, work by attacking the herpes virus and disrupting its ability to multiply.

Herpes may get less severe as time goes by, and you can help protect your sex partner by not having sex during outbreaks and by using condoms at other times.Tell your sex partner that you are having herpes and use condoms.

Five to six years before I developed itching in my hips. I used to apply quadriderm cream for two three days and when I feel a temporary relaxation for the itching problem, I used to stop the application. Now I want to eliminate the problem for ever. Can I eliminate it by continuously applying the cream for one full month irrespective of whether I have the itching sensation or not? Is there any side effect after a long term usage? (the skin color of that area became darkened)

This combination is used to treat fungus infections.Clotrimazole works by killing the fungus or preventing its growth. Betamethasone, a corticosteroid is used to help relieve redness, swelling, itching, and other discomfort of fungus infections.

To help clear up your skin infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses. However, do not use this medicine more often or for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase absorption through your skin and the chance of side effects. In addition, too much use, especially on thin skin areas (for example, face, armpits, genitals [sex organs], between the toes, groin), may result in thinning of the skin and in stretch marks.

The dosage for ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) is apply to the affected skin and surrounding area two times a day, morning and evening, for 2 weeks.

If your skin infection does not improve within 1 week for ringworm of the body , or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

I woke up 2 nights ago with small raised red dots on the inside of my arms. Now they have spread all down the inside of my legs,chest, around my chin and the left side of my forehead. I have a few on my back. It looks like red raised pin marks. Some sights itch slightly, but my no means unbearable. Do you think that the rash could be Hives or something more serious?

This could be HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA, inflammation of the sweat glands.Or may be DERMATITIS HERPETIFORMIS, a rash associated with a sensitivity to gluten .See your doctor. Avoid antiperspirants and deodorants.

Dear doctor,Iam suffering from pimples and dark spot . I just want to know what is the best medicine should I take for my pimples?

Acne treatment depends on whether you have a mild moderate or severe form.Treatment for mild acne

Gentle cleansing with a mild soap.

Applying benzoyl peroxide.

Applying salicylic acid.

The best medical treatment for acne often is a combination of medications. These could include medication you put on your skin (topical) and medication you take by mouth.

Discuss with your dermatologist who can give you the best advice and proper treatment.

I am 25 and for the last three years at this time of the year suffer from Chloasma, where I will have a slight change of pigmentation on my forehead, cheeks and upper lip. I have been on the combined contraceptive pill Trinovum for 5 years. I am going away on honeymoon in November to Australia for a month. I am thinking of getting photorejuventaion done before the wedding around September when the sun is retreating. If I was to get the photorejuvenation done and it got rid of the pigmentation temporarily, would it return the minute I was exposed to the sun? would it help if i changed to a progesterone pill only? many thanks for in advance for your help! Kind regards

Sun exposure and oral contraceptive pills are among the main factors about appearance of chloasma. The result from the treatment depends on many factors. It is very,very important how will be taken care for you before- and after- the treatment.The questions about expose to sun,suitable sunprotection cream and many others have to discuss with the dermatologist performing your treatment. You mentioned September........but it is also important where you are located.For instance in Middle East during September the sun radiation is very high. Certainly the pigmentation will not return in the minute,but if the above mentioned factors continue to work,the problem will appear again. About changing your pills with progesterone ones: the gynecologist is the specialist who can give you advice . In conclusion-you have to find your dermatologist ,who will perform most proper treatment and will take care for you after the treatment.

How do you treat varicose and spider veins? I have a lot in both legs and some in the face. what kind of treatment do you advice me to undergo thru? how much will it cost? how long?

Of all available treatments sclerotherapy and laser surgery are most commonly used for both spider veins and varicose veins.

Laser treatments can effectively treat varicose veins in the legs.Lasers are very direct and accurate, and only damage the area being treated. All skin types and colors can be safely treated with lasers.Laser surgery is more comfortable for patients because there are no needles or incisions.There are several types of lasers that can be used to treat varicose veins and spider veins on the legs and face. Another treatment is electrodesiccation ,this treatment may leave scars.Surgical Ligation and Stripping requires either local or general anesthesia and must be done in an operating room on an outpatient basis.

Laser treatments last 15 to 20 minutes, and depending on the severity of the veins, two to five treatments are generally needed to remove varicose veins in the legs. Patients can return to normal activity right after treatment. I can tell you the cost of treatment only after the consultation.

Hi , for psoriasis I use neotigasone (acitretin) 25 mg each for two days.Iam a man.Can I plan for a child with my wife.I heard that after stop taking the medicine, patient must plan not to have child for three years .Is it for man or a woman? Thanks

Acitretin may continue to work after you stop taking it.Women should not become pregnant and should use two methods of very effective birth control. For women— This medicine may cause birth defects .

This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. However, some older patients may have higher levels of the medicine in the blood stream as compared to younger adults, and they may be more sensitive to its effects. This may increase their chance of developing side effects .

I am suffering from severe sweating on my hands and feets,I require your consultation for this problem, as it is effecting my carrier, I am eagerly awaiting for your reply .Thanks

Some people who sweat excessively, relief may be found with antiperspirants.Antiperspirants work by blocking or plugging your sweat ducts, thereby reducing the amount of perspiration that reaches your skin.Preparations containing aluminum chloride hexahydrate are among the most effective.

When treatment of underarm hyperhidrosis with topical antiperspirants has been unsuccessful, botulinum toxin is a highly effective and convenient alternative. The injections can be performed in a clinic, require little time, and do not demand any restrictions in work or leisure activity .

I have unfortunately a problem, which I cant solve. My problem has started three months ago, when my eyebrow become white and I couldnt understand why. The doctors said that is vitiligo and the skin affected was half of my forehead and around my right eye. I have begun naturist treatment, but my skin continues whitening. Now I have seen two or three hairs white in my eyelash. Iam afraid that my problem could affect my cornea and iris. Please tell me what can I do... Thank you very much!

Melanin is a natural substance that gives color (pigment) to hair, skin, and the iris of the eye.

Vitiligo is a skin condition in which there is loss of pigment from areas of skin resulting in irregular white patches with normal skin texture.Do you have any family history of vitiligo ? Or it can also happen with sudden or gradual onset of flat normally textured areas of skin with complete pigment loss .

Vitiligo is difficult to treat. Some of the early treatment options are

1)Exposure to intense ultraviolet light, such as narrow-band UVB therapy

2)Oral medications, such as Trisoralen.

3)Topical medications such as repigmenting agents, Immunosuppressants such as pimecrolimus

EXCIMER LASER ( XTRAC LASER) is the latest and safe solution for VITILIGO & PSORIASIS.

Is microdermabrasion good treatment for scars ? Is there a better one? thanks

Laser resurfacing,acid peels ,collagen injections,Cultured autologous fibroblasts.

I need product which contains hydroquinone can you suggest me one. Thanks

There are many brands available in your local pharmacy which contains hydroquinone.

A few months ago my 19 year old developed a rash on his abd. At the time he was playing hockey and getting sweaty under his pads. I was not sure if it was ringworm or pityrasis rosia. I sent him to the dermatologist when over the counter ringwork products did not help. It was pityrasis rosia all lesions were on his trunk. Now several months later his 21 yr old brother has developed it. My concern is he has developed the rash on his arms bilatrally and not on his trunk. The rash looks a lot like ringworm although the shape is irregular. He has one that is approx.4-5cm and several smaller ones My quesiton could this still be pityrasis rosia?

The condition could be Pityriasis rosea.Very often different conditions and diseases may mimic Pityriasis rosea.That is why taking full history and precise examination might be not enough and some lab.tests are required. Tinea corporis/fungal infection/ may be ruled out by microscopic exam of KOH preparation. I also ask my patients to perform VDRL test. If lesions persist longer than 2 months, parapsoriasis guttata is a more likely diagnosis.

My wife for over a year now has been getting a rash on her legs below the knee. There has been a swelling and a foul smelling liquid coming from the legs. We have been to many doctors but no one has been able to find a cause. My wife take several pain medications including bextra. We have taken her off the bextra recently and she has started taking celebrex. Her skin is itching all over and the oozing is still continuing. Can you give us any idea what could be causing problem

Many diseases and conditions might appear with such symptoms. Medical examination is not always enough to set the correct diagnosis. Laboratory tests should be perform to clarify the condition. General health is also important. Single visit to dermatologist cannot solve the problem. Chronic conditions require long/chronic/ treatment and monitoring.

My sister is a healthy 46-year-old female. She has had since a very young age scaly legs, and very thick scaled feet. She does not have redness of itching. It has been diagnosed as eczema but treatments are ineffective. She does lack some sweat glands and has had a blocked sweat gland removed from the bottom of her foot.

The term "eczema" is not just " a disease". It is a big group having various conditions with different reason, appearance, evolution and treatment. It is also important if the diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy. Prognosis of the different types of eczema is different and vary from person to person. Regular consultation and monitoring from experienced dermetologist are required.

Dear Sir, I have a sort of eczema in my left hand. It comes on and off, and I feel it is more itchy when my hands get dry. More over I have a dry skin. Please advice me how to get rid of this.

Dry skin and hand eczema are very related conditions. Unfortunately only medicines cannot solve the problem. Many other factors may play role in those problems. The approach to every single case is individual. I would like to invite you to visit our clinic where I believe we might find a solution for your problem.

I am a 45 years old male. I have consistent pain in my left testicle. If I take Doxycycline 100 mg (2 tabs per day) for a week, then I feel better. But after few weeks, again the pain starts, some times there is swelling also. I also have allergy for milk products, dust and cold air. My questions are: 1. Is the allergy and testicle pain inter-related? 2. Can the testis be surgically removed? 3. Who should I consult, Genito-urologist or Dermatalogist?

Your condition require a consultation with specialist urologist. He will also perform some investigations to clarify the problem. Then he can give you answer about relation with allergy and possibilities for surgical removal.

Can eczema be cured? My daughter has atopic eczema since she was 4 months old.Now she is 14 years old.

The prognosis / expectation about further process of the disease/ of atopic eczema is in general very good. Almost 90% of all cases clear during childhood. There are some evidence that effective treatment may improve the prognosis. That is why regular appointments with dermatologist are required. Only exam and prescribing of medicines is not enough.

I usually spend long time with such patients, discussing their habits about bathing, eating, dressing, etc..Sometimes, changing of patients habits may be the most important to get relief from the disease.

Due to dandruff falling onto my skin it has spoiled my skin. My skin doesnt have that smooth feeling. Plaese tell me how I can get rid off my dandruff. I use a magnetic comb and it seems it can remove dandruff. How true is it?

Sometimes the dandruff can be very resistant to treatment. There are others dermatological conditions which can imitate a dandruff. That is why a consult with dermatologist is always helpful. I do not have a personal experience about treatment with magnetic comb,but if you find it works, it will be fine.

I got fungus on my penis- this is happening for last 3 years- I am diabtic for lat 8 years 120-180 range. Please give the reason for this and mediction

Treatment of fungal infection in diabetics can be more difficult. Firstly: is it fungus and how it was proven: only with clinical exam or with laboratory investigations. You have to normalize your blood sugar. Plenty antifungal medicines are available on the market---Canesten,Lamisil,Lomexin,Exoderil, etc........Which one is the best for you ,we can identify after special laboratory test. Sometimes topical medicines are not enough and we have to prescribe oral ones.

I have white patches on my right arm . The patches are covering only 20% of my right arm stretching to the right side of my chest.Now a days there are quick and effective treatment for these patches. Is there any treatment available in Abudhabi .

The treatment of vitiligo can be difficult,long lasting and with vary efficiency. The results from the medicines vary from person to person. Nowadays laser for vitiligo treatment is available.My advice to you is ; to visit dermatologist with good experience about vitiligo. He will create a programme for your treatment.

My son is thirty months old.He has a dry body with skin eruption(SQUAMED PLAQUES);since one year.I have used all the medication but without result.Thank you.

Various conditions and diseases may appear with squamed plaques very often. Only a dermatological examination is not enough to clarify the problem-further investigations might require.

An experienced dermatologist should perform regular monitoring and prescribe suitable medicines according to the skin condition.

Respected Sir, Am 25 year old mother.From last 2 months Iam suffering from corns under my foot. Last week I went to a doctor and was prescribed to use corn caps.He took a corn form one feet.Sir should I use cap in that feet ? Instruction in the caps is that one cap we can use 2 days.But Sir during bathing should I remove that cap or should I have to cover that portion?Sir please advice me.What shall I do if the adhered cap is loosened? And am also using one steroid ointment does that affect in anyway for my baby because am breast feeding.? Sir please clear my doubts .

Use pads to protect areas where corns developed.During bathing you can remove the cap and after bathing, rub corns with a pumice stone or washcloth to help remove a layer of toughened skin. Never cut or shave corns.Wear comfortable shoes. Stick to loosefitting, cushioned shoes until your corn disappears. Topical corticosteroids have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies when used properly. However, corticosteroids should not be applied to the breasts before nursing.

Dear Doctor,I am 24 year old woman staying in Dubai for over 11/2 years now. I am experiencing hair loss and dandruff since my stay here. But lately this has become very severe.I lose almost 100-150 strands a day. I had very thick, long hair before.But its dropping at an alarming rate and iam really worried. Thick hair runs in my family (on both my parents side).I have been using a general ayurvedic oil before washing for over 5 years now. I also use some other light hair oil on dry hair to keep it manageable. I dont usually use shampoos very often; But prefer herbal shampoos or powders available in shops. My hair is dry and also breaks. I am in the normal body weight category. Please suggest a remedy for dandruff and hair fall. Thank U

Dandruff appears as scaling on the scalp without redness.It can be controlled with treatment.Non-prescription shampoos containing tar, zinc pyrithione,ketoconazole can help.See your dermatologist. Excess hair loss can have many different causes. Its important to find the cause and whether or not the problem will respond to medical treatment.

I am a mother of one year old girl. From last week onwards I am suffering from itching on my vagina. Really i can't tolerate this. When I wash with concentrated salt water I feel some relief but that too only for some time. Could you please tell me what is the cause of the itching? And I'll be really grateful if you could prescribe a medicine for this. Thanking you.

Persistent itching of the vaginal areas may be due to chemicals such as detergents or infections. It can be caused by yeast infection. Clotrimazole is used to treat yeast infections. It comes as a vaginal cream to be inserted into the vagina once a day at bedtime for 3 or 7 days for vaginal infections. Do not douche unless your doctor tells you to do so. Continue to use clotrimazole even if you feel well. Wear clean cotton panties (or panties with cotton crotches), not panties made of nylon, rayon, or other synthetic fabrics.

I have small cysts on my face. I've been told it is due to stress or clogged oil glands. I am wondering what I can do?

A sebaceous cyst know as keratinous cyst is a slow growing bump containing dead skin, skin excretions and other skin particles. Treatment is by either puncturing the top with a needle or cutting the top with a scalpel, then squeezing out the contents. Infected cysts are treated with an antibiotic and then surgically removed.

I continuously get blisters around my fingernails and toenails. I have been to 3 doctors. All forms of eczema have been ruled out. I was given a cream like medication to use with no results. These blister DO NOT ITCH, however they hurt. At times, they hurt too much to cover myself with the bedsheet. I always wear sandals or go barefoot (live in FL). I do not feel it is anything chemical as I have not changed any products I use. I try not to break them, however one on my toe did break and it was filled with a watery substance. They leave scars and rough skin. Please help me to put a name to this problem and also to cure this. I am at my wits end. Thank you very much.

This may be because of Exfoliative keratolysis. It is more common during the summer months, and most often affects young adults. The symptoms are aggravated by exposure to irritants including water, soap, detergents and solvents. Eventually normal skin forms, but frequently exfoliative keratolysis recurs within a few weeks. Exfoliative keratolysis does not improve with topical steroids. Emollient hand creams especially those containing urea, lactic acid, or silicone may helpful. The other line of treatment is photochemotherapy.

I am a 24 year old girl from Asia and I am overly obese. I have PCOD because of which I have gained 40 kilos in the last 4 years. Of late, the skin at the bottom of my neck, underarms, inner thighs and pubic region has become black. I am also getting a black pigmentation on my skin. I am worried. Please advice if I can do a cosmetic surgery or laser treatment for this. If yes, how much will it cost and who should I go to for this?

Darkened skin that appear most often as a result of hormonal changes. Hydroquinone creams can help. There are now several highly effective laser treatments. If you are living in UAE we can help you.

My daughter 6 months old has a brown birth mark covering her left cheek. Is there any treatment by which birth marks can be removed without any side effect. If so, please refer me to the relevant centers.

Some birth marks are removed for cosmetic purpose and some need to be removed as they can create problems later. It is difficult to comment without a proper examination.

My grandson gets severe hives when out in the cold weather or in cold water. Once, he had to be taken to the hospital in anaphylactic shock. He saw a dermatologist in St. Petersburg, FL and his lab test showed an elevated cryofibrinogen level. All other lab test- CBC, sed rate, some test for lupus, etc. are normal. The doctors there are not sure what the problem might be. The test was repeated and still is elevated. Any suggestions about the cause and do you have any suggestions about if we should have the child seen anywhere else and if so with which specialty. Thank you so much.

This boy needs to be seen by a dermatologist and should be under supervision. He is suffering from cold urticaria.

I am 50 years old . Under my eyes very dark and got ageing lines. Is there any laser treatments to uplift the under flesh and remove the dark colors . I am based in Abudhabi.

You have to consult a plastic surgeon who can be of help to you.

I had a couple of really big zits between my eyes and I applied hydrogen peroxide to the area as I have done a few times in the past. The next day the area I applied it to had turned a dark red color and the skin surface was very rough and bumpy. It appears to be some sort of burn. Over a week has gone by and the pimples are gone and the skin surface smoothed out but it is still a dark red color. It looks like the color is deep below the skin. Have I done permanent damage to the area and is there anything I can to to reverse the damage or speed up healing.

I would presume that the hydrogen peroxide has done the damage. Please consult a skin specialist who can assess the damage and do the needful to ease your problem.

Dear Doctor, I was prescribed by my dermatologist to use neotigason for my skin problem but we have got an alternative medicine named Soriatane(acitretine). Are both the same. Can I take acitretin instead of neotigason. Can you please advice, Thank you.

Pls let me know what the skin problem is. If it is psoriasis these medications help, neotigasone is the active metabolite of etretinate and is better and slightly more effective. They are both retinoids (belongs to same class).

My question concerns hair bumps or cysts on the vagina. This is not a STD problem. I have reoccurring bumps down there. A doctor said all I can do is put hot compresses on it to alleviate any discomfort. I use antibacterial lotion and that helps the outbreaks to be not so bad. its not working anymore. Is there anything out to help other than hot compresses.

You need to see a skin specialist who will be able to tell you whether this is folliculitis, or cysts. The treatment will depend on that. Good luck and all the best.

Dear Dr. Jothish George, My 18 year old son has bad smell while sweating. So he is reluctant to stay in the hostel with friends. Now want to keep him in the hostel for his Degree class. It started in childhood. Could you please kindly suggest some medication or treatment.

There are several reasons for this. You need to see a dermatologist who can help you.

My new born son (3 month old) is having a skin problem, both of his legs skin from thigh till the lower part of the legs skin became so rough, like scratches, now on his abdomen and chest appear red rashes. On his back no problems at all. I consult a doctor, he prescribed a cream named RASHA used for 3 weeks, and now again another cream is subscribed that is for nap-rashes. As a specialist, doctor you might know more about it, I need a kind advice or further treatment for my son, much appreciable.

Use an antihistamine (to help to control itching) and apply moisturizing ointments . If the hives don't go away on their own or are accompanied by other symptoms, such as swelling around the lips or trouble breathing, see your doctor.

Since few months ago it started with me that my penis skin became senseless, its all other working is ok, but due to this reason my orgasm time increase to much it will be good for the partner but for me its tedious job with out sensation of any excitement, I don't know the reason for this senseless skin how it comes but I am very worried about it, could you please help me in this regards and please suggest me some medicine which can cure the skin I will be very grateful to you.

The condition "senseless skin" might be result from different diseases/health problem or sometimes to have a psychological base. The condition requires taking a full history, medical examination from specialist and very often a wide range investigations. The problem might require a consultation with specialists from different specialties; example-urologist, neurologist, etc. What you report is actually a very scanty information. It is a very important to clarify your general condition; presence of diseases/health problems; having any medicines; number of sexual partners; frequency of sexual intercourses; etc...........

The reason sometimes might be still an unidentified health problem/disease. According to my opinion you should find, in your area, a specialist urologist, who will perform examination, all investigations and if necessary will refer you to other specialist for consultation.