Glossary

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a transient skin condition which resolves in the majority of individuals. It usually last anywhere from 4-8 weeks. In about 70% of individuals the rash may itch. In general, there is no specific treatment for PR. The following conservative treatments have been recommended:It ...Continue Reading

Generalized pustular psoriasis is life threatening and all individuals require hospitalization. Intravenous hydration, bed rest, avoiding heat loss and control of body temperature is very important. All metabolic and electrolyte deficiencies are corrected and the patients pain is controlled.Antibiot ...Continue Reading

An untreated ingrown toe nail if left alone will continue to cause pain and eventually lead to infection of the nearby skin. As time progresses, even the nail bed and bone can become infected. In the normal individual, the ingrown toe nail just causes pain but in any diabetic individual, a serious i ...Continue Reading

Lice can effectively be treated with home care methods. But one should see a physician if: - there is skin or scalp infections which have developed from scratching - there is redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness in the area - home treatment doesn't work after using over-the-counter medications as ...Continue Reading

The treatment of an itch depends on the cause. In the majority of cases, the itch is only transient and easily treated by removing the offending irritant or allergen from the environment. In cases where the itch is generalized, some type of investigations may be required. While the cause of the itch ...Continue Reading

Treatment of hives is fairly standardized. The majority of hives are caused by supersensitivity to a chemical in the body called histamine. Histamine is known to cause the swelling, itching and pain in hives. Thus, the majority of drugs used today are anti histamines.Antihistamines: There are a wide ...Continue Reading

Genital warts needed to be treated even if they cause no symptoms. The home therapies like salicylic acid and duct tape generally do not work in the groin and anal area. The usual medications to treat genital warts are:Imiquimod (Aldara): This new cream when applied to the warts is effective to kill ...Continue Reading

General CareHerpes infection is very contagious and some form of self care is required to avoid passing the infection to family and friends.Physical contact: Once herpes infection occurs, all physical contact should be avoided. Kissing is an absolute NoNo. During the acute infection, the virus can e ...Continue Reading

The diagnosis of corns and callus is easily made from the history and examination. Sometimes x rays may divulge areas of bony prominence of abnormal anatomy which led to the development of the skin lesions.In the majority of individuals the treatment of corns and calluses includes removing the frict ...Continue Reading

Cystic acne is generally treated by a dermatologist and not a general physician. The treatment of cystic acne may require a lot of patience and compliance to therapy. The results are not always immediate and one should not lose faith in the therapy. The treatment of cystic acne involves:Antibiotics: ...Continue Reading