Rashes

Dear Dr. Jen,

My father had rashes on one side of his forehead a few weeks ago. Now there is barely any itching but he complains of constant pain. What is the best remedy for this?

Leah

Dear Leah,

Shingles, “likos likos,” or herpes zoster, comes at a time when your immune system is usually down.  The best time to give anti-shingles medicine is during the first three days of the rashes.  This is the time when it can make a world of difference by decreasing pain and lessening the number of vesicles that appear.  If the ‘golden’ period has passed, supportive treatment is given.

Supportive treatment focuses mainly on the comfort of the patient.  This includes pain relievers for the pain, antihistamines for the itchiness, warm compress for swelling and antibiotics for the infection.  Be on the lookout for any eye involvement.  Though swelling doesn’t warrant an alarm, vision and other eye symptoms can be included in zoster.  To avoid permanent damage to the eye, also see an ophthalmologist.

Dear Dr.  Jen,

I have been having very bad acne.  I usually don’t have any pimples on my back but lately it’s been popping out like mad.  I cannot reach my back and so I cannot use any creams.  What alternative treatments would you recommend?

Frankie

Dear Frankie,

Back acne becomes gets worse during the hot season.  The increase in sweating and oil production (caused by high temperature and humidity) is “food” to the fungus and bacteria that give rise to back acne.

There are several solutions that can stop your back acne.  Fastest way to deal with it is to get some strong pimple-stopping chemical peels from your trusted PDS dermatologist.  You can have this done weekly. Your derma can prescribe you with some anti-fungal washes or cleansers containing benzoyl peroxide to dry up the acne.  Oral medication may also be an option for you. It takes a while to get to a flawless point.  Sometimes the scars are the most stubborn to remove so a bleaching agent might be necessary after the pimples are gone.

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with the Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). Information on PDS is at www.pds.org.ph. Questions or concerns regarding the skin may be sent by text to 0932 857 7070 or emailed to [email protected]; or coursed thru The Freeman – (032) 2531276, or thru PSH – (032) 2338620 and 2325929. Inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.