Daily Column

November 22, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My sister has a skin condition called Morphea. It started under her breast and she now has a patch on one of her buttocks.

The condition is quite annoying and she was hoping you would have a home remedy or some idea of how to combat the condition.

DEAR READER:
Morphea is a type of scleroderma, a rare skin condition that can cause a variety of problems such as skin discoloration or internal organ damage. There is no known cause but it is believed it may be an autoimmune response.

Morphea is a less serious form which usually affects only the outermost layers of skin only, leaving the internal organs alone. It generally causes hardening, thickening and discoloration of the skin in patches. It can also limit the flexibility of the skin in the affected area. [Read more...]

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Sunday Column

November 2, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 77-year-old husband has a bizarre skin problem. On his left lower arm (elbow to wrist) on the top side only he has red blotches that appear and then disappear every several days. He has seen dermatologists in Atlanta, GA, Tucson, AZ and Santa Maria, CA but none can give him a diagnosis. All referred him back to his internist who also had no idea what the problem is.

The problem is now starting to happen on the top of the lower right arm. I have also noticed that following treatment for a blood clot in his leg (after hip replacement in 2006) with Coumadin, the blotches seem to be worsening. He also has some minor bleeding. He is tested once a month to ensure his Coumadin is working. The spots are not itchy or painful, they are only unsightly.

Aside from the Coumadin (2.5 mg four times a day, five days a week and six times a day, two days a week) he is taking [Read more...]

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Daily Column

September 18, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 30-year-old daughter has had eczema since birth. She has tried just about everything possible. Do you have a simple remedy like your banana skin for psoriasis?

DEAR READER:
Eczema is often extremely difficult to control. It stems from a malfunction of the body’s immune system. The condition is known as an itch that rashes. When the uncontrolled urge to scratch occurs, further skin irritation results, often causing rash, scaling and crusting lesions.

There are many triggers causing eczema. They include animal dander, dry skin, harsh soaps, showering too frequently, using too hot water, and more. The most effective control is to keep the skin moisturized. A good moisturizing lotion with vitamin E is recommended. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

September 9, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I would appreciate any information you can give me about granuloma annulare. I would like to know what it is, what causes it, what treatments are available, if it is contagious and if it is an infection.

I am an 85-year-old female who first developed this condition one year ago. It shows no signs of improving and my doctor told me he didn’t know what it was so he sent me to a specialist. The specialist told me not to worry about it but I do and really hope that it can be cleared up somehow.

DEAR READER:
Granuloma annulare is a chronic skin condition that causes red or flesh-colored raised lesions that form ring patterns. It most often occurs on the hands and feet. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

May 24, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have been watching a lot of basketball lately and am bothered that so many of the young men have both arms completely covered with tattoos. Even some of the female players are doing the same thing.

Does this ink get into the bloodstream? If so, can’t it cause problems? If not now, what about later in life? I also see teenagers with tattoos, no doubt sanctioned by their parents. Even young children are wearing fake tattoos and will probably get the real thing when they are older. It’s appalling.

DEAR READER:
Tattoos have been used as a form of expression for countless years and can be seen on people of all ages, gender and ethnicity. Personally, I have never had the desire to “adorn” my body with a tattoo, but I respect those individuals that make the decision to do so.

The most common method of tattooing involves a tattoo gun that holds several needles which are driven in and out of the dermal layer of skin up to 150 times a second. Depending on design, culture and artist preference, a wide range of dyes and pigments can be used. The process can take from 15 minutes to several sessions (sometimes up to three or four hours a day for several days) depending on the complexity and size of the tattoo chosen.

The ink does not get into the bloodstream to cause problems. However, tattoos can carry health risks including allergic reactions to the dyes and infection from equipment that has not been properly sterilized. Anyone choosing to get a tattoo should be sure that the parlor is properly equipped and uses frequently sterilized equipment and new needles for every tattoo. A disposal container for needles as well as a biohazard container should be available and used to assure proper disposal of materials and to prevent re-use and contamination. Disposable gloves should be worn by the artist.

An individual should make sure he or she wants the art forever and should, in my opinion, think long and hard before getting a tattoo, as removal is expensive, painful, and often unsuccessful.

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Daily Column

May 8, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I would like to know about these “things” that have started popping up all over my body. They are small and raised. They are very unattractive and I would like to know how to get rid of them. I’ve heard that they may be called “tags”.

DEAR READER:
Because you are unsure what the lesions are, I urge you to be examined by your physician. He or she should be able to diagnose you or may choose to refer you to a dermatologist (skin specialist). It is important to know what type of lesions you have, since treatment varies based on cause. It is also important to document any new skin growths (or changes of any current lesions in terms of size or color) to ensure they are not potentially harmful.

That being said, you most likely have skin tags, but I cannot be certain without visual inspection. Skin tags are common and harmless. They can be easily removed by a dermatologist or general surgeon, however can be costly and painful if you have several or particularly large tags.

There are some home remedies you can use as well. Using dental floss or thread, firmly tie it around the base of the tag. This cuts of the blood supply, killing the tissue. The tag should fall off in less than a week. Another option is to apply clear nail polish. Allow the polish to cover the tag for one day and then peel it away. Continue this until the entire tag is removed.

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Daily Column

March 6, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My husband has been diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis. It’s our understanding that this condition can be controlled, but not cured. Medication has been very ineffective. We have been using Neosporin and antiseptic powder on the open areas and aloe vera on his chest. These have helped some. Do you or your readers have any other suggestions?

DEAR READER:
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common chronic skin condition that causes white or yellowish flaky scales. These form on oily areas of the skin such as the scalp, inside of or behind the ear, creases of the nose, eyebrows or lids, along skin folds in the middle of the body and lips. It may also cause the skin to redden (mildly) in those areas. It can have long inactive periods between flare-ups but can generally be controlled with treatment.

Seborrheic dermatitis appears to run in families. Oily skin, infrequent shampooing or skin cleaning, stress, fatigue, obesity, use of lotions with alcohol, weather extremes and skin disorders, such as acne, can worsen symptoms and may increase the risk of developing this condition. It can also be associated with Parkinson’s disease, head injuries and strokes. It is a common cause of dandruff and infants and children (up to age 3) can develop a temporary version called cradle cap.

Diagnosis is reached through physical examination of the lesions as well as their location. A dermatologist is best choice for diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

There are several at home treatment options. For lesions in the scalp, over-the-counter medicated or dandruff shampoo is often effective. It should be used daily and vigorously scrubbed in for five minutes then rinsed. The shampoo may also be effective when rubbed into the lesions on other areas of the body. Look for shampoos that contain salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcin, or ketoconazole. Because of its similarity to psoriasis, some of my readers have tried Vicks VapoRub with success. Others have had success rubbing a banana peel onto the affected area once or twice a day.

If the affected area(s) drain fluid or pus, become painful or very red or form crusts, call your physician. This can be a sign of infection that may need antibiotic treatment.

Close attention to skin and hair care and reducing risk factors can aid in prevention of outbreaks. If over-the-counter or home treatments do not work, a visit to a dermatologist for further advice or prescription medications may be appropriate.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Eczema and Psoriasis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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Daily Column

January 1, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
This question has probably been asked and answered but here goes. I have noticed as I get older my skin seems to be thinner. Minor scratches and bumps now seem to take forever to heal but just a few years ago, they would have healed in just a few days. Is there anything we can do to toughen up our skins?

DEAR READER:
Fragile, thin skin is age-related; as we grow older the skin becomes more easily injured. There is no treatment for this condition to my knowledge except to apply moisturizing cream if the skin is dry.

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