Skin Republic
Dear Dr. Jen,
I’m getting these red bumps, some of them having small pus. They are not itchy but rather painful to touch. I don’t know how I got these and they keep recurring one after another and it’s been appearing only on my legs, most especially at the back of my thighs. I’ve tried many ointments but the effect seems to be temporary since a new one soon appears in another area. I hope you can help me with this one.
Leslie
Dear Leslie,
Bumpy rashes with pinpoint, small pusfilled heads are folliculitis. They may look like pimples and can be found on the face, arms, legs and other less common areas. These are inflamed hair follicles and accompanied by a bacterial or fungal infection. In some cases, folliculitis can disappear by itself, but oftentimes require treatment with an anti-fungal or antibacterial ointment.
Folliculitis can be preceded by shaving, waxing, scrubbing, or going in a pool (that carries the bacteria or fungi). Sitting down for long hours may promote blockage of the hair follicle and the heat and humidity don’t help it too. Staying away from shaving or waxing for a few weeks, treatment with anti-fungal or anti-bacterial agents can relieve folliculitis. To prevent recurrence, changing your razor frequently, and airing the area behind the thighs regularly so as to provide breaks from your daylong sitting position can help.
Dear Dr. Jen,
I have terrible allergies on my hands. My hands look awful and I absolutely hate shaking hands with others because I get so embarrassed of my rashes. I have tried a million ointments and all give short-lived relief. Please help me!
Jason
Dear Jason,
Hand allergies are tricky to treat in that it involves a thorough identification of the cause before the problem is properly eliminated. Also, if the allergies have already formed a hardened layer (sort of callous-like) on top, response to the usual creams may not work. When a lichenified layer has already formed on top, the medication hardly penetrates. In this case, injecting the medicine straight into the rash, underneath the hardened skin will bring about more promising results.
To identify and avoid the allergen is half the battle, when dealing with hand allergies. It is important to do a patch test, and see which products or common allergens trigger the allergies. Once the culprit is identified, it is easier to avoid the allergen so the problem doesn’t become recurrent.
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.