Blackhead

Dear Dr. Jen,

I have a giant blackhead on my chest.  There’s a lot of dirt when I squeeze it but then it collects again.  What do you suggest I treat it with?

Mark

Dear Mark,

These kinds of “blackheads” may resemble a blackhead but there might be more than what is on the surface. Sometimes there might be a cyst forming within the sac of the “blackhead.” Regular cleaning or extrusion of the dead cells and oil that collects inside won’t be enough. Applying anti-acne products will also not be enough. You may need to have it excised. This is a simple out-patient procedure that can be done by your PDS dermatologist or surgeon.

Dear Dr. Jen,

I keep getting boils on my legs. The last one needed surgery and it was so painful!  Is there any way to get rid of this permanently?

Jevie

Dear Jevie,

Boils, locally called “mata’s tiki,” also medically known as a furuncle, is very much a bacterial infection. This is a red, painful bump on the skin, containing pus and dead cells. Boils are caused by bacteria called staphylococcus aureus. Some people are just more prone to harboring the bacteria than others, regardless of hygiene. About 20 percent of the population are carriers at one point in time. The good news is there is a way to prevent it from coming back.

The bacteria live in our skin and inside our nostrils. To eradicate the colonization of these bacteria, you can apply an antibiotic ointment in the nose area for a whole week, each month for six months. To be more specific about it, your anterior nares can be swabbed and the bacteria cultured. The laboratory can do a sensitivity run on which antibiotics it is sensitive or resistant to.

Other manifestations of a staph infection are styes, folliculitis, impetigo, cellulitis and even more serious infections of the blood, and other organs. Fever and chills are sometimes present. The patient often complains of pain, being tired and sometimes irritable.

Also, seeking early treatment when the boils are still small is helpful. When boils are still minute and just starting, they respond well to creams and ointments, avoiding the use of antibiotic pills. Hope this helps!

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.