Q.What are the causes and treatments for milia and chronic chapped lips in menopausal skin?
A. Milia and dry chapped lips can occur in anyone, not just menopausal women. Milia are small cystic bumps that are harmless. Sometimes, overuse of heavy moisturizers and creams can play a role in their development. Treatment options for milia include Retin-A, Renova and cauterization. Chronic chapped lips are difficult to deal with and any over-the-counter product
can exacerbate the condition. Licking your lips can also worsen this. Vaseline is okay to use
There are some products that can be prescribed by a physician that may help chronic chapped
lips.
Q.Is there hand cream and foot cream to help with dryness of the elderly skin?
A. There is a prescription cream called Lac-Hydrin which often will help dryness of the hands, the feet or anywhere else, in either an elderly or a young person. There is also an over-the-counter version of Lac-Hydrin which is not quite as strong called Am-Lactin. Alternatively, Neutrogena makes a fairly nice product specifically for the feet, as well as a product specifically for the hands. Other over-the-counter creams and moisturizers are sometimes of benefit such as Cetaphil and Aveeno. There are some skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema which appear dry but need different types of topical creams, lotions or oral medications.
Q.I recently started using some samples of Retin-A given to me by my dermatologist. I have only used it for a few days, however, my lips have become extremely dry and sore, and even appear to be cracked, bleeding slightly. At first, I thought it may be a cold sore, but I don’t believe this is the case - I am thinking it is due to the drying effect of Retin-A. What can I do to stop this and are there any over the counter treatments out there I can purchase to remedy my situation?
A. Retin-A can be irritating. One of the side effects of Retin-A is redness, dryness and irritation of the skin. Usually if this happens, you can back off on the treatment frequency. For instance, if you are using it every night than use it every other night or if you are using it every other night, than use it every third night. Only a small amount of Retin-A should be used like a pea size for the entire face. In addition, you should be cautious about letting it “pool” in crease areas such as around the nose and mouth, as this will increase the irritation in those areas. Retin-A in fact may cause a cold sore or increase the risk that a cold sore occurs, so this may have happened to you. Cold sores are caused by a virus which is always with you and certain conditions may present themselves such as being otherwise sick, sun exposure or irritation of the skin. There are some prescription oral treatments for cold sores, as well as prescription topical treatments for cold sores. I am not sure if the over-the-counter topical medications for cold sores are of much benefit or not. Certainly this should resolve on its own fairly quickly. If it continues to occur every time you use Retin-A, you may choose not to use the Retin-A at all.
Q.I have white little bumps around my chin area. I try to squeeze them out gently when they come out it’s white and it has an odor. I have tried everything and have not been able to get rid of them. They just come back as soon as I clean out the area and they are very small and just around my chin area. Can you tell what this is and how do I get rid of it?
A.It sounds like you have milia. Milia are very common. Milia are tiny cysts that are usually white. They typically occur on the face. There are some prescription creams that may help. Over use of heavy moisturizers can sometimes cause this.
Q.A while back (a few weeks or a month) I developed a pimple on the skin just above the middle of my top lip. I used Neutrogena rapid clear gel on it and it seemingly went away, even though a small hard bump remained, it wasn’t visible. A couple days ago it came back, but over the past two days it’s just been getting larger and more red. It’s now large and painful, and I don’t know what to do.
A.Oh my, You really should be seen by your primary care physician or a Dermatologist. This could be many things, from a skin cancer to a cyst to a pimple. I cannot really help you without seeing your condition. Dermatologists often rely on seeing and even touching existing skin conditions like yours to make a diagnosis.
Q.What causes psoriasis and how is it treated?
A.No one knows the true cause of psoriasis. It is believed to be immunologic (the immune system producing too many skin cells). It tends to be genetic and runs in families. There are many ways to treat psoriasis. There are creams and lotions, pills, light treatment and the new biologic agents (shots or IV infusions).
Q.What causes vertical ridges in fingernails? They cause my nails to split and crack.
A.Vertical ridges in the fingernails are called onychoschizia. This does indeed cause the nails to split and crack particularly as they grow long. Nobody really knows what causes it, although, it is common as you get older in age. One thing you can do is to keep the nails cut short. Sometimes Biotin can be used to help, as well as Derma Nail. Biotin is a vitamin that you can get in the store and Derma Nail is a product that is available online or through a dermatologist.
Q.I am a 23 year old man. I have a redness on my cheek since I was a child. When I do activities, drink alcohol, feel nervous and when I feel warm or cold it gets even worse. I feel burning over my face. It’s really annoying. Is their any treatment for that?
A.Yes, there actually is a treatment for this condition. You may be able to have laser treatment to the area. There are different laser systems available that can provide treatment. I use a pulsed dye laser to treat this condition, while other doctors in the area use other laser systems.
Q.I recently had a reaction to clarithromycin and developed an itchy, blistering skin rash on my face. Is a topical corticosteroid the preferred treatment?
A.Hopefully, by now your rash is long gone. I am surprised that clarithromycin (which for readers who do not know is an oral antibiotic) only caused a rash on your face as opposed to the rash also being on your back and arms, unless the rash was preceded by sun exposure on the face only. Topical steroids are a treatment option for a reaction to clarithromycin, but there are other options depending on the clinical presentation and severity of the reaction.
Q.Can eczema cause lighter patches of skin on a dark-skinned individual? These patches seem to come and go. My face is the only part of my body that seems to be effected.
A.The simple answer is “yes”, eczema can cause lighter patches of skin on a dark-skinned person. Typically, eczema will cause pink patches but light patches are possible. Lighter or white patches often will develop after the more traditional pink or red patches heal and go away. This is called “post-inflammatory hypopigmentation”. This discoloration is common, especially in dark-skinned individuals. There are over-the-counter and prescription creams that can be used to treat this discoloration but they do not always work.
Q.My face, neck, and stomach are darker than the rest of
my body. What causes that and how do I deal with it?
A.Pigment problems are usually caused by a combination
of sun exposure and hormones. However, it can also
be associated with some endocrine abnormalities and
other conditions. It would be difficult to tell you what
your particular condition is without medical testing. You
should be examined by a physician. Sometimes, creams
or pills can be prescribed to treat these conditions,
depending on what is your actual condition.
Q.For years now, I’ve had a bluish “bump” on the inside edge of my left eyebrow (so just beside where the bridge of my nose ends in
my forehead. Most of the time it is not noticeable in either color or
size. However, about a week or so before my period, it becomes
more pronounced and quite blue-to the point that just this morning
a co-worker told me that I had “something blue smudged by my
eyebrow-I guess she thought it was eye shadow or eye liner. The
comments do sometimes bother me, but I’m also starting to get
concerned. Do you have any idea what this is?
A.This “bluish bump” is most likely to be a cyst, a blue nevus, a vascular lesion, a skin cancer, or a combination of two of these types of lesion. It
should be checked by a physician even though most of these are benign.
A cyst will often change in size, especially around menses. A blue nevus
is a deep mole which has a blue hue. A vascular lesion may appear blue
and may change in size. None of these are dangerous. However, it could
also be a skin cancer and that is why you should have it checked by a
physician.
This general Information is not intended to provide individual advice. Please make an appointment with a physician to discuss you particular situation and needs.
