Acne and some home remedies
Q I’m a 26-year-old woman suffering from mild acne for the past 10 years. I tried homeopathy and allopathy but nothing seems to work. The acne leaves dark spots on my face and my back, which do not fade away fast. Please suggest what I should do to reduce acne and spots.
— Fatima
A The remedy depends upon the cause of acne. In some women, polycystic ovary syndrome causes acne along with menstrual disorders and ovarian cysts. Once this problem is ruled out, dark spots can be treated with de-pigmenting agents and chemical peels which will give good cosmetic result. — Dr Shiva Ram Reddy, Consultant Dermatologist, STAR Hospitals,
Banjara Hills
Q My wife is 39 years old and has been an asthma patient for the past 10 years. She has difficulty in breathing, especially during winters. Are there any home remedies for curing or prevention of asthama?
— Issac Murzello A Most common triggers for asthma attacks in winter are mould, pet dander, dust mites and smoke while indoors and cold air while outdoors. Hence limiting time around pets, using mite proof covers on mattresses and pillows, keeping the house warm and dry and covering the face to avoid cold air while outdoors might help. Drinking coffee (but not more three cups a day), steam inhalation with 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil in boiling water, and ginger or garlic tea, are measures that may help to some extent. But the most important thing is to take regular controller medications, usually an inhaler, as prescribed by your doctor and taking a flu shot to avoid infective (viral) exacerbations. — Dr R.V. Laxmanbabu,
Pulmonologist, Yashoda Hospitals
Q I’m a 22-year-old female. I was diagnosed with PCOS four years ago. I got it treated and with regular exercises I had regular periods. But all of a sudden last month I didn’t get my period. I’ve also been very stressed due to my exams. Is it normal to skip periods for a month?
— E. Sunayani
A It is quite common to get a delayed period. A precipitous menstrual cycle occurs when one is stressed because of stress-induced hormonal imbalance. So, relax and if it repeats again then go to the gynaecologist and get yourself evaluated.