How to reduce pigmentation and dark circles under my eyes?
Hello doctor,
I had undergone a Co2 laser treatment around my eyes about three and half years ago. Now, I am left with dark circles under the eyes along with hyperpigmentation and redness. About one and half weeks back, the doctor prescribed me a cream that has Kojic acid 1%, Glycolic acid 5%, Betamethasone dipropionate 0.1% and Chamomile extract 5%. The doctor asked me to put this cream at night with no lights. However, I do not see any improvement. I think it looks bad. What can I do now? I am uploading my pictures. I am using Bepanthen and sunscreen. Currently, I am taking Synthyroid, Cytomel and Progesterone.
17 May 2024 - 1 min read
Is severe dysplasia of squamous epithelium precancerous?
Hello doctor,
My mother fell on her right arm. A few days later she noticed a wound on the dorsum of the right arm but was not sure if it was from the fall. She did not care for it nor treat it. About a week later she started disinfecting and covering it but decided to visit a dermatologist as she was afraid it might be something else. Upon the looks of it, the doctor wanted a biopsy as she said it could be cancerous too. While waiting for the results the wound closed and decreased in size and signs of inflammation are gone.
Today we got the results and it says ” hypodermis and dermis with hyperkeratosis, severe dysplasia of the squamous epithelium, chronic inflammatory changes in the dermis”. Now I started reading to try and understand and what confuses me is the ” severe dysplasia of squamous epithelium” Is that carcinoma in situ? In some literature they differentiate the two in others they claim it is the same.
I also came upon the fact that when there is an ulcer or inflammation reactive atypia and dysplasia may look the same hence the dysplasia may be from the inflammation. How is that determined? Is it a wound that is in the stages of healing or is it precancerous? What should be done in this case?
Can we wait for one or two weeks to see if the crust will fall as in a healing wound and then perhaps have a biopsy on clean skin or should it be removed immediately with a suspicion that it might progress to cancer? If it should be removed what is the time frame? Should it be done immediately? I also talked to a surgeon friend who thinks if it is cut immediately it would cause a bigger wound which might be slow to heal again. I have attached the progression of the wound.
14 May 2024 - 1 min read
Are white tongue and sore throat the symptoms of HIV?
Hello doctor,
I had an unprotected sexual contact with a commercial sex worker some six months ago. I do not know the health status of that lady. After 30 days of exposure, I got fever and body pain and I went to the hospital for treatment. He suggested checking a widal test and a urine test. The results came as typhoid and I had taken medicines for that too and for stomach pain. Three courses of antibiotics have been taken. The stomach upset was the main problem that time. I am normal now. After one month, I had white plaques like formations on the tongue and one side of the tongue color also slightly changed. I consulted a dentist and he told me the tongue was normal. I went for HIV tests as below: HIV rapid test after 40 days - negative HIV Combo test after 70 days - negative HIV CD4 test after 70 days - normal HIV Duo test after 84 days - negative HIV rapid test after 88 days - negative STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) full test after 88 days - all negative HIV ELISA test after 110 days - negative unit as 0.06 HIV ELISA test after 155 days - negative unit as 0.07. My doubt is I have many symptoms like a sore throat with red patches, white tongue, body ache, muscle ache, white dot on the head like itching. I sometimes have a burning sensation. These symptoms have been there for three months. I am wondering it could be due to the exposure. Mostly, I have consulted with a general physician for muscle ache and body ache. I feel like my neck muscles have reduced a little bit. My doubt is whether I have been infected with HIV? My recent test is HIV antibody test at 155 days from my exposure being negative.
Please advice.
14 May 2024 - 1 min read
Should one be worried about HPV after sex with a sex worker?
Hello doctor,
I am a 29-years-old male. I had intercourse with a female sex worker five years ago. Since then I do not have any sex with any one. Now I am getting married in a few months. So I took a pre-marital checkup and the result was nil and non-reactive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2, hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B (HBS), chlamydia, and syphilis. But I am worried about human papilloma virus (HPV). I did not get any warts but still, I am afraid. Are there any risk of HPV related cancers for me or my partner?
13 May 2024 - 1 min read
What causes a growing open wound on the right breast?
Hello doctor,
I am having an open wound on the underside of the right breast. I noticed it a few days back and is continuing to grow. I would like to know what it looks like and why I get an open wound in this location. I would also like to know if skin cancer can ever display in this way. I am using antibiotic cream for the same.
Obviously, I know that a diagnosis can not be given online without testing, but would just like to know by the looks of it.
13 May 2024 - 1 min read
Dermatology