SkinRepublic

Dear Dr. Jen,

My son has white spots on his chest which started this summer.  I have tried all kinds of soap on it but it hasn't gone away.  How else can this be treated?

May

Dear May,

Your son may have developed a case of pityriasisversicolor.  Very simply put, it is just a fungal infection usually aggravated by sweat accumulating on the skin. Hot, humid weather can contribute to this.

Applying antifungal shampoo or creams can remedy the infection quickly.  The color, however, takes several weeks to go back to normal. So be a little patient.

Make sure he has dry cotton shirts to change into when he is sweating.   Changing undershirt during recess, after school or after PE will help prevent recurrence. Taking showers right after a sweaty work out can also help

Dear Dr. Jen,

I sustained some wounds on my face after I fell.  It has been two months since the accident and I noticed the scars still look funny and not yet back to normal.  I usually heal very well.  Should I be worried about diabetes?  I have been applying some anti-scar treatment but there seems to be no progress.

Janice

Dear Janice,

Delayed scar formation may not necessarily point to having diabetes.  The length of time a scar takes to heal depends on the depth of the scar.  The more superficial ones with injury contained in the upper epidermis can take a very short six weeks to heal.  The deeper the injury, the longer it will heal.  Surgical scars can take six months to a full year to go back to looking normal.

The key when dealing with healing skin is to keep the area moisturized.  Scar treatment creams containing silicone claims to do this though it is being debated on by some experts. Also, if the scar is in an exposed area, like the face, you have to use sunscreen daily to prevent darkening of that area.

Later on, the characteristics of the scar will be more obvious.  If it becomes keloidal or depressed or dark, then your PDS dermatologist can cater a specific treatment for it.  Since your scar is still fairly new, avoid using anti-aging treatments or toners on it yet.  This may irritate your skin and further delay wound healing.

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.