TREATING BOILS ON THE HEAD

Q I am 60 years old. Since the past one year, I have boils on my head. I had consulted my family doctor and he could not cure it. How can I cure this condition?

— Anonymous

A This seems to be folliculitis of the scalp. It requires a thorough examination and some investigations like blood test and pus test to decide whether it is infection due to bacteria or fungus or if it is non-infectious. According to the reports, we may have to treat it with either antibiotics, anti-fungals or other medicines. Consult your nearest dermatologist who will do the needful.

— Dr G. Manmohan, consultant dermatologist

Q

I am a 28-year-old male. For the past one week I have shortness of breath, squeezing/stabbing pain in a portion of the chest (which comes and goes in one or two seconds) and left arm pain.

I am suffering from homesickness as well, as I am working away from home in Saudi Arabia.

The doctor told me that I am facing this problem due to anxiety and stress. In the past three months, I have had two echo tests, the results of which are normal. On June 19, my cholesterol test revealed the following:

Cholesterol 208 FBS 94 LDL 124 HDL 45 VLDL 39 TG 195

Please help me understand if this is due to a heart problem or is it only because of anxiety or stress?

— Anonymous

A You need to check baseline ECG, 2D ECHO and if required you may have to undergo the Treadmill test. After seeing all the reports, we can come to the final conclusion

— Dr V. Suryaprakash Rao, consultant cardiologist