Skin repulblic

Dear Dr. Jen,

I’ve had ringworm on my leg the past six months. I’ve already consumed a lot of tubes of over-the-counter medicines for fungal infection, but the ringworm is still there. Is it time to take oral medication at this point?

Janjan

Dear Janjan,

Ringworm is used as another name for dermatophytosis.  As you may have researched, it is usually red, circular and may be itchy. More importantly, it is caused by a fungal agent.

If you have already been applying OTC –azole creams (i.e. ketoconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole, tioconazole) for six months, chances are the fungal infection should have gone away by now.

Please reconsider that it just might not be a fungal infection. Numerous skin rashes can appear round such as eczema, leprosy, tick bites, and a whole list of other things. It may be time for you to seek professional help. Your PDS dermatologist may be able to tell you the diagnosis by looking at the rash or doing some skin tests on it.

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Dear Dr. Jen,

I always get blisters on my feet after a day of walking. What is the best treatment for blisters?

Tanya

Dear Tanya,

Friction blisters are caused by pressure or friction on the skin, probably from too tight foot wear. The best solution is to avoid wearing shoes that irritate your skin. If the damage has already been done, then first thing to keep in mind is to keep the blister intact.

The fluid-filled pocket of skin is very superficial. If you keep the area clean and dry, it will go away by itself. If the blister bursts on its own, it is important to apply an antibacterial cream to avoid infection.

If the blister is huge and already painful, due to the pressure of the fluid building up inside, you can have it punctured by your doctor.  If you are determined to do it at home, make sure to use a sterile needle. You can gently prick the edge of the bullae and allow the fluid to drain out. It is still imperative that you keep the area clean and apply antibacterial cream on it. New skin will come out in a few short days.

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH).  For information on PDS, check http://www.pds.org.ph. For questions or concerns, please text to: 0932 857 7070; or email to: [email protected]; or call The Freeman: (032) 2531276, or PSH: (032) 233 8620 and 232 5929. Your inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.