Dear Dr. Jen,
My elderly mom has huge blackheads on her face. She refuses to go to the derma for a proper cleaning. Also, her threshold for pain is very low. What is the next best thing for her?
Josie
Dear Josie,
Elderly skin is prone to getting gigantic blackheads which you may be tempted to squeeze out. Due to their age, their skin can be more fragile and prone to bleed easily, so this is not advisable. And if you cause too much discomfort and pain, you can definitely contribute to an elevation in their blood pressure.
My advice to you is to bring her to a dermatologist to have a cream (retinol-based) applied to make the blackheads softer (to take out much easier later on) and even make them fall off by themselves. This can be applied for two months and once the blackheads are ripe for the cleaning, it won’t be painful at all. You can also opt to have some anesthesia applied before cleaning is performed to spare her the discomfort. You can do this in phases so as not to tire out your mom.
Dear Dr. Jen,
Is it possible to be allergic to socks? I always get itchy skin around my ankles as well as around my feet. Funny thing is the soles of my feet don’t seem to be affected. I wear socks and closed shoes all the time. Will I eventually outgrow this?
Ben
Dear Ben,
Yes, it is possible to be allergic to socks! The rubber component found in socks that gives it its elastic component can contribute to allergies. You can have yourself tested to identify the possible allergen. This can be done through a painless patch test. The soles of the feet are often spared due to its very thick epidermal protection. Anti-allergies and avoiding the trigger will easily solve this problem.
However, there are also some conditions to consider aside from allergies. Nummular eczema, infection and insect bites can also be mistaken for allergies. Best to see your nearest PDS derma for a proper consultation.
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 askskinrepublic@gmail.com; or coursed thru The Freeman – (032) 2531276, or thru PSH – (032) 2338620 and 2325929. Inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.