Pimple

Dear Dr. Jen,

We took a trip out of the country a few months back and I broke out with severe pimples on my face.  Does it have something to do with the weather or the climate?  Will my skin ever go back to normal?  I’m tired of wearing concealer over my pimples.

Corina

Dear Corina,

Acne or pimples have a few causes. One of the triggers for acne is heat, humidity or sweat.  Travelling to hot places, or not being able to change clothes right away after sweating can contribute to acne formation, especially on the chest and back. However, travelling to cooler and less humid climates may improve acne.

Travelling can also bring about a change in your cosmetic or moisturizer use.  For example, you might have been enticed to use a new primer, moisturizer, sunscreen, or foundation that may have led to pore blockage.  This can also be a cause of acne formation.

Whatever the case, you will still need to see a PDS derma to get a prescription medicine in order to have the pores unblocked. Topical antibiotics like clindamycin or erythromycin may also help reduce bacterial load on your skin.

Your skin can go back to normal, but it takes extreme patience. Roughly, 6 to12 weeks of treatment can reverse the acne.  Scar treatment must also be undertaken once the pimples are under control.

Dear Dr. Jen,

I see a lot of red rashes on my son’s hands and soles.  It started a few days ago.  I noticed that there is pus inside the rashes.  He doesn’t really complain but I see him scratching the rashes sometimes. I used to have very bad allergies when I was younger.  Is this the same thing?

Lisa

Dear Lisa,

Are there any “lu-as” in your son’s mouth?  Does he complain of difficulty in swallowing or any pain?  It might also be HFMD, hand-foot-mouth disease.  This can also present with rashes particularly on the hands, the feet and the mouth.  Itchiness may or may not be present.  Eczema can also be similar but it rarely progresses so fast.

With HFMD, like all viral ailments, it is self-limiting and no amount of antibiotics will cure it.  However, you can give supportive therapy by giving pain relievers like ibuprofen or paracetamol to numb the pain.  Cooking his favorite meals and drinking cold beverages will also help.

You can avoid spreading the virus by not sharing straws, glasses, utensils and kissing for the meantime. Frequent hand washing also helps.  Take heart, it will be gone in a few days.

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.