Palm rash baffles docs

February 4, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: In 1998 I noticed the fleshy part of my palms were bright red. Eventually the redness extended to the entire palms and went up and over the tips of my finger. Later, the soles of my feet turned red and it progressed up and over my toes. Sometimes my knees and insteps are red. Now the redness has appeared as ragged splotches on my arms and face.

My showers, of course, increase the redness; however, lately the palms of my hands blanch after a shower, look almost translucent and the redness appears under the skin as pale pink. After an hour or so the blanching disappears and the redness comes back. I have no itching or pain.

Over the years I’ve asked many doctors what causes it and with few exceptions have been told “no idea”. [Read more...]

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Did med cause skin condition?

October 2, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: While in Vietnam, I was taking a dapsone pill daily, as the Army suggested. Unknown to me, I had an allergy to the pill and became methemoglobinemic. I stopped taking the pill, but still have lichen planus on my legs and buttocks that comes and goes. I can go weeks with no trouble, then I have a breakout that will last for up to a month before clearing. I read that the dapsone could be the cause of the onset of the lichen planus. Can you tell me if this is right or wrong? Where can I find more information?

DEAR READER: Dapsone is commonly prescribed to treat dermatitis, herpetiformis (a skin condition that commonly appears on the elbows and knees), acne, infection and more.
[Read more...]

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Daughter needs attentive physician

February 14, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I hope you can help my daughter, as I am worried about her. She is not getting the help she needs. In February 2009, she started suffering from a skin condition on her scalp, which flakes. She also started losing large amounts of hair. She then developed a rash on her face and body.
She has been seen by three doctors and four dermatologists all connected to a local medical center, which is part of a college. One of them said she had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and another said she didn’t. She has had nine lab tests, including a CA-125, a testosterone test and a DHEA test. She is still waiting for some of the results because the doctors and medical center are being lax about sending the information to her new off-campus physician. [Read more...]

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Alternative, Inexpensive Remedies For Psoriasis

April 17, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Please tell me what to do to get rid of my psoriasis. I’ve had it for a long time and just can’t seem to get rid of it. I do have a prescription for Taclonex that works well, but I don’t have health insurance to continue to fill the expensive prescription. What else can I do?

DEAR READER:
Most forms of psoriasis are cyclic, meaning symptoms flare up, subside, and then flare up again. An outbreak can present with red, scaly patches of skin, itching, painful joints, and more. Common forms can appear anywhere on the body, including the inside of the mouth.

Risk factors include a family history of the disease, immune disorders, stress, exposure to cold, certain medications, and more.

Treatment depends on the location of the outbreak. Some lesions might be controlled with an over-the-counter topical cream. [Read more...]

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Sunday Column

April 12, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Your recent article about the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis was great. It was simply written so that the general public can understand.

I am writing to you now because I hope that you can explain psoriatic arthritis. This is a very painful, sometimes disabling, type of arthritis. Little is known about it, despite the fact that it affects a great number of people.

Patients with psoriatic arthritis also have psoriasis so they are doubly affected. They have to put up with the constant skin lesions on top of the painful arthritis. It is treated with the same biological medications as RA. I am a sufferer and am tired of trying to explain the difference so I hope you will be able to help get the word out in your column.
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Steroids Can Cause Bone Loss

March 23, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Most of my life my doctors have prescribed steroids for my eczema and psoriasis. Now a bone density test shows that I have the bones of an elderly woman (I am only 50). I am 5’ 5” and 110 pounds and this greatly concerns me. I will never take osteoporosis medication because the side effects are terrifying. How can I reverse this? Will sunshine and calcium help?

DEAR READER:
Chronic use of steroids can lead to osteoporosis. I assume this is the cause of your problem. I urge you to start taking 1000-1500 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D daily immediately.

For added benefit I recommend you discontinue the steroid medications. Ask your dermatologist about non-steroid, alternative treatments. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

March 17, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My son developed eczema at the age of two months. He then developed psoriasis at one year. A friend of mine told me to give him fresh goat’s milk. Within six months, his eczema was gone and his psoriasis was under control.

My son is now 54 years old. He continues to drink goat’s milk. He purchases ½ gallon of the unpasteurized variety, and a quart of goat’s milk yogurt once a week from a local farm. This simply remedy has continued to keep his psoriasis in check and eczema at bay all these years without any doctor’s medicine.

DEAR READER:
This is a new treatment to me for two common skin ailments. I am glad to hear that your son has benefited from this simple remedy for so many years. [Read more...]

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Rash Is Form Of Eczema

January 5, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am an 86-year-old male and approximately two years ago was diagnosed with nummular dermatitis. This disease causes spots of rashes which appear on all parts of my body after the areas get very itchy. I trust my diagnosis because my dermatologist is a professor of dermatology at the Yale University School of Medicine. He said there is no cure and very little research because very few people have this disease. I am currently taking triamcinolone acetonide which I have to apply to all affected spots twice a day.

Do you know anything about this condition? Can you offer any suggestions?

DEAR READER:
Nummular dermatitis (ND) is a form of eczema. It usually occurs on the arms and legs but can appear anywhere on the body. The rash generally starts as papules (raised areas of skin) that then turn into plaques (flattened patches, such as those associated with psoriasis). These areas are generally very itchy and are frequently accompanied by abnormal dryness. The areas are prone to infection, cracking, bleeding and so forth caused by scratching.

There are two peak ages of occurrence. Those between 60 and 70 are most commonly affected with a predominance in men. The second group is individuals between the ages of 20 and 30. Those in this group tend to be female and many also have atopic dermatitis (common eczema). This disorder is rare in children.

Symptoms often come and go with winter. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

November 12, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I would like to share with you and your readers something that has helped me with dandruff and rosacea problems.

For many years I was embarrassed by problems with dandruff and flaking on my clothes. I would also have facial skin problems related to rosacea. My dermatologist gave me several different prescriptions but none ever seemed to give me any long lasting relief.

Somehow or another, I found a very simple solution that has helped me tremendously. I use a product called Brass, ZP-11 Anti-Dandruff Hairgroom. I rub it into my scalp after shampooing and then rub a light application onto my face and eyebrows. Something in the formulation works for me. It is a very inexpensive product at about $6 a bottle. Perhaps some of your readers will benefit from it as I have. [Read more...]

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