Worried about the condition of your skin? Dr Koh Jean Aan Mark, Head and Consultant from the Department of Dermatology Service at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, gives detailed answers to your questions.
Apart from common skin conditions such as eczema, acne, age spots and psoriasis, women can also suffer from specific skin conditions including the development of itchy or blistering skin during pregnancy, and genital or vulvar rashes. If you suffer from any of these conditions, you are not alone!
Dr Koh Jean Aan Mark, Head and Consultant from the Department of Dermatology Service at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, gives detailed answers to your questions.
Question by wllim1
I am 24. My skin pores are clogged with blackheads and whiteheads. And the condition of my skin worsens when my period is coming as acnes will appear. How can I totally remove this insightly skin condition? What are the right products to use? How can I prevent acne before and during menstrual period?
Answered by Dr Mark Koh, Head and Consultant, Dermatology Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Acne, or pimples, is a very common problem among young women. Blackheads and whiteheads, also known as comedones, are the earliest form of acne and should be treated early to prevent worsening. There is, as yet, no known cure for acne but treatment can improve and control the condition. Mild acne can be treated with creams (e.g. retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or combination creams).
For women with moderate or severe acne, treatment with oral antibiotics or oral retinoids (i.e. isotretinoin) is recommended. Acne can flare up during or around the menstrual periods, due to hormonal changes. Oral contraceptive pills can be used for women who have flare-ups during or before the menstrual periods.
Question by rashida749
Hi Doctor,
I have a query recently I used to have blister at my feet and is itchy, I already went to special clinic on dermatologist to consult for this problem , the clinic only prescribe ithch cream to apply and sm capsule to be taken to reduce the itch but after awhile it was ok and it happen again this thgs started when I feel itch there is blister and contains sm fluid but after I pinch n released the fluid then I don't feel itch but smtmies I had this at my fingers , I already went to skin centre for further treatment but its just temp released . is there any special cream or medication to be taken or due to sm food that I allergy? Pls advice me I do have corn too at my feet.... tks & regards, Rashida
Answered by Dr Mark Koh, Head and Consultant, Dermatology Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
It sounds like you may have feet and hand eczema. This is a long-term skin condition that can have intermittent flare-ups. As yet, there is no known cure but with good treatment, the condition can be improved and controlled. It is important to identify any trigger factors (e.g. wearing of occlusive shoes, sweaty feet, and detergents) and avoid or reduce these triggers.
Treatment usually involves the use of creams, including daily moisturisers and topical steroid creams. The topical steroids creams should be applied whenever the rash or blisters appear, and stopped once they resolve. Oral antihistamines (e.g. piriton or atarax) can be taken to help with the itch during flares. In severe flares, your doctor may prescribe a short course of oral steroids, and when there is visible infection (e.g. oozing and crusting), you may be given a course of oral antibiotics.
If the blistering is severe, soaking the affected areas with diluted potassium permanganate solution or salt solution may help to dry them.
Question by kitmunf
hi doctor, how can i remove scratch scars on my limbs ? i hv urticaria & scratch myself excessively during each attack? advance thanks
Answered by Dr Mark Koh, Head and Consultant, Dermatology Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
The important step in treating your condition is to treat the urticaria to prevent further scratching. This includes trying to identify and avoid triggers (e.g. physical triggers, certain foods and drugs), as well as taking oral antihistamines. Non-drowsy antihistamines (e.g. loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine) should be taken in the daytime and sedating antihistamines (e.g. piriton, hydroxyzine) should be taken at bedtime. If you have had urticaria for some time (more than six weeks), you may want to consult your doctor to exclude any associated medical problems. Your doctor may advise you to take oral antihistamines daily for a few months to treat the condition.
Scratching may leave pigmented marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) which may take several months to resolve. Treatment with lightening creams (e.g. hydroquinone) may sometimes help to make it go away a little faster.
Question by poh.eileen
Hi Dr Koh,
One of my hand lower part skin was full of like pigmentation mark. Even the beautician say like old age people mark. It cannot be cure. It had been many year get more serious, right now I can see white spot start come out also. please advise what happen and how to cure immediately.
Answered by Dr Mark Koh, Head and Consultant, Dermatology Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
It sounds like you may have solar lentigines, also known as “liver spots”. These are very common among men and women who have had long-term sun exposure, and usually start to appear from 40 years of age. It worsens with age and with continued sun exposure. For some individuals, white spots – also known as ’idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis’ – may also appear, due to chronic sun exposure. Treatment of the dark spots can be difficult. Avoidance of excessive sun exposure and the daily use of sunscreens may help to prevent worsening of the condition. Treatment of existing spots can be attempted with lightening creams (e.g. hydroquinone 4%), chemical peels or lasers. A combination of the above treatments may be used for faster and better results.
Question by vchua
I suffer from chronic urticara for the last 10 years and have been on medication (Zrytec) everyday. Usually, the medication will control the hives and upon medication, the hives will go away for the next 24 hours. Over the last 2 days, I have persistent hives even after taking the anti-histamines. I have also been having very bad gastric pain these 2 days. My stomach feels bloated and my stools are loose and light colored. I just take panadol and actal to ease the gastric pain. Is there a concern for this?
Answered by Dr Mark Koh, Head and Consultant, Dermatology Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
It is unlikely that your gastric pain is related to your chronic urticaria. Both conditions are very common, and both may be worsened by stress. If the stressful trigger is removed, both conditions may improve. You may also have caught a “stomach flu” bug which self-resolves over a few days.
It is possible to treat the urticaria flare by doubling the dose of non-sedating antihistamines (e.g. loratadine, fexofenadine) for a few days. You can treat the stomach symptoms with antacids (e.g. Actal) or H2-blockers (e.g. Zantac). If the symptoms do not resolve after two weeks or if they worsen even with medication, it would be advisable to see a doctor to exclude an underlying condition, e.g. stomach ulcer.
Question by dtqui
Hi Doctor, recently I get sudden itchy bumps appearing on my buttocks and thighs. They are not red but it gets very big, swollen and raised. They will usually subside after a while. The bumps do appear on other parts of my body as well but not as much as the buttocks and thighs. I have not used any new washing products recently. I'm wondering what could be the possible cause of it and whether I need to be concerned. Thank you.
Answered by Dr Mark Koh, Head and Consultant, Dermatology Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
You may be suffering from urticaria, also known as hives. These rashes appear as red, itchy bumps which can then become big, swollen, raised patches. They can occur anywhere on the body. If the symptoms last for less than six weeks, it is termed ‘acute urticaria’. This is usually caused by a mild viral infection or a food or drug allergy. If they last for more than six weeks, it is referred to as ‘chronic urticaria’. Although chronic urticaria may be seen with some medical conditions (e.g. thyroid problems), most often, there is no known cause.
Physical urticaria is a special form of urticaria that may be triggered by certain physical factors, including physical pressure. If the urticaria occurs on the buttocks and thighs, it may be triggered by sitting for prolonged periods.
Treatment of urticaria includes trying to identify and avoid triggers, as well as taking oral antihistamines. Non-drowsy antihistamines (e.g. loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine) should be taken in the daytime and sedating antihistamines (e.g. piriton, hydroxyzine) should be taken at bedtime.
If you have chronic urticaria, you may want to consult your doctor to exclude any associated medical problems. Your doctor may advise you to take oral antihistamines daily for a few months to treat the condition.
Reposted by administrator
I am in my mid 20s and recently started to have lots of acne in my face, especially redness near the nose and pimples around the nose around. Anything that I can do to treat it? I have not gotten any acnes previously
Answered by Dr Mark Koh, Head and Consultant, Dermatology Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Acne, or pimples, is a very common problem among young adults. Some patients may not have had acne as teenagers. Acne can occur anywhere on the face and is common on and around the nose. Another closely related condition, acne rosacea, commonly presents with redness and pimples around the nose area. Mild acne can be treated with creams (e.g. retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or combination creams).
For moderate or severe acne, treatment with oral antibiotics or oral retinoids (i.e. isotretinoin) is recommended. Acne rosacea is treated in the same way as regular acne. Lasers or intense pulse light (IPL) can also be useful to treat the redness.
Ref: R14
