I am a 20-year-old girl. I have straight hair, which is mostly ok but I have noticed that in certain places on my head, there are small pimple like formations..sometimes they itch a lot and sometimes they are painful also. Is this a serious problem? Also, my hair seems to have become thinner. Is it because of this problem?

The small pimple-like formations on your head may be due to bacterial infection or some allergy and in both these cases there will be itching and pain. So please contact a dermatologist so that the lesions can be visualised, analysed and treated appropriately depending on the diagnosis.

Hair becoming thinner is quite common and it may not be related to the problem you have. For better and healthier hair, we need to follow few tips. What we eat reflects on our hair. Hair needs proteins, vitamins and minerals, so incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables and milk in your diet. The hair is comprised mostly of protein, therefore to encourage hair growth, adhere to a diet rich in protein, like sprouts, pulses, beans, cereals, eggs, milk and milk products. As vitamin E is important for healthy hair growth, eat green leafy vegetables, nuts, avocados, etc on a regular basis. Drink atleast eight glasses of water, herbal teas and unsweetened fruit juice. Go easy on tea and coffee, as they increase the drainage of water and important nutrients and hamper the absorption of minerals crucial for hair health. Stress causes the hair cells to slow reproduction. Try to avoid stress and do yoga or relaxation exercise.

I am 32 years old male working in an MNC. The skin on my back is full of little pimples and sometimes, when I go out in the sun, they start itching. Is this a skin disease? What is the solution?

The problem you are having is Acne or pimples. Acne (Pimples) is an inflammatory condition of the sebaceous glands of the skin. The condition results in part from excessive stimulation of the skin by androgens (male hormones). Acne occurs on the face, as well as the neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. Acne can be managed by creams, lotions, oral medicines, etc depending on the severity and type of acne. Often, acne clears up after several years, even without treatment. Do not touch, squeeze or prick the pimples, as they leave behind pigmented marks and scars. There can be itching in the areas affected by acne. Please consult a dermatologist, so that it can be appropriately managed.

I am a 25-year-old woman, weighing 65 kg. Sometimes I get round white patches on the skin of my hands and they really itch. And when I itch them, they become red and then after sometime, they disappear. Please advise.

The description of lesions suggests that you may have Urticaria or Hives. Urticaria or hives as it is commonly called, is an itchy rash consisting of localised swellings of the skin that usually last for a few hours before fading away. Acute urticaria, which can last from a few hours to as long as a week is usually caused by drugs, specific foods or a viral infection. Sometimes, no cause can be detected. The common foods that cause Urticaria are eggs, nuts, fish, chocolates, tomatoes, milk, milk products like cheese, etc. The best treatment for urticaria is to identify and avoid the cause and any aggravating factors. While investigating the cause, anti-histamines for symptomatic relief as advised by the specialist can be taken. So please consult a Dermatologist so that the lesions can be visualised and assessed and based on the diagnosis they can be treated.

YOUR QUESTIONS
Every week, Living will feature an interactive column, ‘Well-being’, where your questions on health, fitness, diet and nutrition will be answered by experts. Send your questions to Living, c/o Deccan Herald, # 75, M G Road, Bangalore-560001 or mail us at living@deccanherald.co.in

 
Dr Vandana Jayaprakash
Consulting Dermatologist