Skin Republic

Dear Dr. Jen,

How do I diagnose skin cancer on myself?  How do I know if a mole is cancerous or not?

                                                                                                                                                                Ingrid

Dear Ingrid,

Familiarize yourself with the moles you currently have.  It might actually be a good idea to have an initial full body mole check by a PDS dermatologist.  Your derma will point out the moles which you should watch out and be suspicious of.

There is the known ABCDE of bad moles.  Asymmetry, uneven Borders, uneven or variegated Color, Diameter greater than 6mm and Evolution.  Evolution or changes to watch out for are rapid growth,  bleeding, itching, new bumps, scaling or oozing.

I usually document the size of the mole by measuring it and taking a picture.  Also, I give a patient a copy of the dimensions of the mole and take a pic using patient's phone camera.  That way, whichever part of the world the patient is in, he can document and track the changes in his mole.

Dear Dr. Jen,

What kind of medicine should I put to scratches and new wounds?  I usually use alcohol or betadine daily but alcohol stings and betadine has an ugly color.

                                                                Gerard

Dear Gerard,

Although alcohol is the age-old antiseptic we all use to clean a wound, it can really be very painful on open skin.  Betadine is also a good cleanser for initial wounds, but like you said, it can be unsightly in color. There are other alternatives out there. 

Very mild soap and clean water will do to wash superficial wounds.  You can then dry it and apply an antibacterial ointment or spray solution containing mupirocin, bacitracin, erythromycin, cutasept, etc.  What is important is to prevent an infection.  If the wound goes deep enough, you might have to check your tetanus immunization status. 

You should stay away from three-in-one or four-in-one creams that contain steroids (delays healing) or antifungals (irritates skin).  Another thing you shouldn't do is use sulfur soap or salicylic-acid containing creams.  This will cause numerous problems and inadvertently delay wound closure.  Lastly, do NOT apply hot boiling water since this will just cause further damage. 

Dear Dr. Jen,

I always get pimples on my behind.  What causes this?  It is always itchy and it is embarrassing to be scratching it in public!

                                                                Sel

Dear Sel,

Although it is an area rarely seen, buttock acne or "butt-ne" can be a nuisance because of the discomfort or itch.  One of the causes of this kind of folliculitis is undergarments and wearing clothing that is too tight.  Prolonged sitting can also be a factor.

Treatment is fairly simple by using products containing tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide.  You can help prevent new breakouts by using cotton-based undergarments and loose clothing. 

Sometimes, these kind of pimples can escalate into boils or carbuncles.  If the bumps have become painful and warm to touch then that may be the case.  Oral antibiotics might be necessary at this point.  If unsure, just pop a visit to your PDS derma to have it checked.

Dr Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS). She is affiliated with Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH).  For other information on PDS, check http://www.pds.org.ph/.

If you have any questions or concerns please text, email or call (the Freeman or PSH): 0932 857 7070 or <[email protected]> or  (032) 233 8620 or 232 5929.  Your inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.