Dr. Shruti's Skin & Laser Centre

Pityriasis Rosea is a common skin problem which causes a rash. Although, it can occur at any age, it is most often seen in those between the age  of 10 to 35. It is usually harmless and a pretty common condition. It is also worth noting that Pityriasis Rosea does not spread from person to person.

Causes: The exact cause of Pityriasis Rosea has not been identified yet. Some doctors claim that it is caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus while others claim that it is caused by an allergic reaction.

Symptoms: There are a fair number of warning signs of the Pityriasis Rosea rash. The symptoms may differ depending on the patient's general health condition, the climate condition, and the season.

1. Size and appearance at first: When the rash first appears, it has a raised border. Basically, it is a pink patch which can be single, round, or oval in shape. 2 cm to 10 cm is the usual range when it comes to the size of the patch.
2. Few days or weeks later: After a few days, 1cm to 2cm patches appear on the abdomen, back, chest, legs and arms area. They sometimes spread to the neck, but rarely to the face.
3. Back patches: The patches on the back are slightly different from the rest. They tend to be angled and look somewhat like a Christmas tree. Sometimes it is itchy, but it goes away within 6 to 8 weeks.

Treatment: Pityriasis Rosea goes away without treatment. It usually lasts about 6 to 8 weeks. However, in order to relieve itching at home:

1. Apply anti-allergic powder.
2. Avoid taking hot showers. Keep the water as cool as possible while taking the bath.
3. Eat a lot of oatmeal and try bath products which have oatmeal in them.
4. Hydrocortisone cream is very good for the itchy areas on your body. However, do not use these on the face or pubic areas.
5. Use antihistamines, but, for children, you must check with the doctor first.
6. Apply moisturizer regularly.
7. Use gentle soaps and avoid deodorant soaps as these worsen the rash and the itching.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Dry skin is a condition caused by the lack of moisture in skin. Fine lines and wrinkles are just some of the conditions, which may be caused due to dry skin. Dry skin can also be very uncomfortable. The condition is mostly caused by environmental factors such as exposure to harsh weather conditions or getting soaked in hot water.

People at risk:

1. Age: People who are older than 40 years of age tend to be more at risk of dry skin than people who are younger than 40 years.
2. Climate: As mentioned earlier, weather conditions play a pivotal role in causing dry skin. Therefore, people who live in areas where the climate is either very hot or very cold tend to get dry skin more often than people who live in temperate climates. Low humidity is another factor which causes dry skin.
3. Profession: Some professions, such as nursing or hairstyling requires frequent usage of hot water all through the day, which can also lead to dry skin.
4. Swimming: Swimming is one of the major causes of dry skin. This is especially true in pools, which have chlorine. This is because chlorine increases the itchiness on your skin.

Treatments:

1. Lifestyle changes: Usually, lifestyle changes such as avoiding long, hot showers and putting moisturizers are good enough to make sure that dry skin goes away.
2. Lactic acid: Creams with lactic acid and urea can be prescribed by your doctor, if the dryness of your skin does not go away with moisturizers. These creams are usually over-the-counter medications.
3. Prescription creams: Prescription creams are given, only when conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis or ichthyosis are present.
4. Wet dressing: Wet dressing is given only when dermatitis has set in, as it mostly help in preventing the infection.
5. Oiling: Oiling your body, especially with fish or flaxseed oil, ensures that your body does not succumb to dry skin.
6. Hand sanitizer: Normal hand sanitizers tend to make your hands dry. Thus, dermatologists recommend hydrating hand sanitizers that allow your hands to maintain their moisture. Therefore, whenever you are using a hand sanitizer, use a hydrating one.

A head louse is an insect that lives on the human scalp and feeds on human blood. The female louse lays eggs in the head and makes sure the eggs are attached to the hair shaft. It takes around eight days for the egg to hatch. The louse takes another 11 days to mature into an adult louse.

Causes:
The primary cause of head louse is poor personal hygiene. Other causes due to which a person can be infected by lice are:

1. Using combs and towels that are infested.
2. Coming in contact with another person who has this condition.
3. Sharing the bed with a person who is affected by lice.

Symptoms:

When a person is affected by this condition then the following symptoms are observed:

1. The saliva of the lice causes an allergic reaction in the scalp which leads to constant itching. It can occur in various places such as ears, scalp and the neck. It may not occur initially, but it tends to occur after a few weeks.
2. Constant scratching can lead to formation of small red bumps on the skin. A bacterial infection usually occurs from constant itching.
3. It may lead to symptoms of dandruff in the scalp.
4. Presence of various insects in the scalp.

Prevention of Lice:

Lice can be prevented by using medicated shampoos and conditioners to wash the hair. The shampoos are usually based on a chemical called pyrethrin. This compound is toxic for lice and helps in getting rid of it.

You can also opt for the following lifestyle changes to prevent lice:

1. You should avoid sharing your hairbrush with others.
2. In case you have long hair, tie it in buns or ponytails.
3. Add tea tree oil to your shampoo before using it.
4. Keep the scalp clean to prevent infestations.
5. Avoid sharing pillows and clothes. If you wish to discuss any specific problem, you can consult a dermatologist.

A boil or a skin abscess is a type of bacterial skin infection that leads to formation of a pus-filled red bump on the skin. It usually starts in an oil gland or a hair follicle on the face, the armpits, the neck or the shoulders. If a cluster of boils appears, it is called a carbuncle and this is a more severe infection than a boil. However, most boils are caused by minor infection and can be healed with simple treatment at home. Listed below are the various ways to deal with a boil:

1. Boils are not entirely preventable but normal daily hygiene can reduce the frequency of the occurrence of boils.
2. When you notice a boil formation, you should apply a hot compress on it. The heat helps to prevent the formation of too much pus by helping it drain faster. When the blood circulation to the area is improved by the heat, the antibodies help to draw out the germs.
3. The boil usually drains on its own. You may try draining it yourself but only when it is soft. Poking a hard boil can be extremely painful; it may bleed and make the infection worse. It is usually best to let it drain by itself.
4. When the boil starts draining, you can clean the infected area with an antibacterial soap daily till the boil is drained and flattened. You may clean it with some rubbing alcohol in order to prevent the germs in the pus from spreading to other areas of the body.
5. The infected area can be kept covered with sterile gauze coated with antibiotic ointment.
6. Penicillin-based antibiotics can be used to treat the boil but only if it is a severe infection.  If the boil is excessively painful, you can use pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
7. Avoid sitting in one particular position for too long because this increases the pain.
8. It is important to wash your hands every time you touch the draining boil because the bacteria is extremely contagious and can spread to other areas of your skin as well as to other people.
9. All the articles which have been used to treat the boils like the gauze, cloth, cotton and hot compress should either be discarded or disinfected to avoid spreading of the infection. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Dermatologist.

Hello, I am Shruti Kohli. I am a consultant Dermatologist in cosmetologist in Sarvodaya Hospital, Sec-8, Faridabad. Also, I have a clinic in Sec- 15, Faridabad by the name of Crimson Clinic. I have been practising from last 12 years.

Today, I am going to talk about the "summer skin care tips".

Summers brings a lot of skin problems, such as Fungal infections, sunburn, excessive sweating and rashes. Here are few tips for the smooth sailing summer,

• Use sunscreen before stepping out in the sun, that is the most important preventive step anyone can take in the summer season. The sun screen should be minimum SPF of 15 and should protect against both UVA and UVB.
• Apply the sunscreen 15 minutes prior to go to the sun. And it can be applied after every 3-4 hours.
• The sun also has a bad effect on the lips. In order to protect them, you can moisturize them by applying lip balm with SPF of 15, as and when required.
• For the face cleaning, I would recommend a gentle exfoliating face wash containing glycolic acid, which will help to remove a dead skin as well as the harmful effect of sweat and pollutants from your skin.
• After cleansing of the skin, it is important to use light water base moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
• Avoid heavy creams and oils as the skin breakouts.
• If you are exposed to the sun for long period, then aloe vera gel is recommended, as it is a soothing and cooling agent. also it has antioxidant properties. It can also prevent damaging of the skin of free radicles.
• Aloe vera can also be used a cooling mask occasionally.
• I would recommend washing off yourself twice daily with cold water, in order to remove the pollutants.
• Also, use a white broad hat to protect your skin, especially the skin of your face. Or you can use an umbrella while being exposed to the sun.
• Eat plenty of watermelon and muskmelon daily.
• There are certain foods which give inherent protection against the sun. These include tomatoes, berries, citrus fruits, nuts which contain Vitamin C.
• And the last is, hydrate yourself regularly. drink atleast 12-15 glass of water daily for a glowing, youthful and healthy skin. Coconut water also works well and is recommended in your daily routine.

Summer will be fun if you follow the simple tips given by me. You can contact me for any skin related problem, through Lybrate or you can also take a direct appointment in my clinic which is in Sec-15 A, by the name of Crimson clinic.

Thank you.

Folliculitis is an ordinary dermatological condition which causes inflammation of hair follicles of the skin. This condition, which occurs due to both bacterial and fungal infections, causes small red or white pimples to form around the hair follicles. The infection, if left untreated, can spread and turn into rough, coarse sores which may take a long time to heal.

The Staphylococcus aureus bacteria is responsible for causing the infection, which leads to this commonly occurring condition. In some cases, folliculitis can be also caused by viruses and fungi which had perhaps penetrated the ingrown hairs causing subsequent inflammation. This condition is categorized and diagnosed as a superficial or deep infection depending on the amount of hair follicles involved.

Causes:

• Friction caused by shaving or tight - fitting clothes
• Heat and sweat, due to prolonged exposure to the sun
• Skin conditions like acne
• Tightly wrapped bandages or dressings on the skin

Symptoms:

• Clusters of tiny red or white bumps in and around the hair follicles
• Reddened and inflamed skin
• Itchy skin and rashes
• Pus-filled blisters that may crust and later break
• Swelling on the skin

Risk Factors:

Anyone, whether young or old, may develop folliculitis. But, there are certain factors that increase the risks of the condition. The following are some of them:

• Conditions like HIV or AIDS that reduces the immunity in your body
• A pre-existing condition of acne or dermatitis
• Being obese
• Medications and ointments with side effects
• Improper shaving

Many a times, people ignore this condition, presuming that it will heal with time. But if left untreated, complications such as large itchy patches of skin, increased swelling and heightened inflammation of hair follicles may occur. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Dermatologist.

Hello, Friends, I’m Dr Shruti Kohli. I am a consultant Dermatologist and Cosmetologist in Sector 8, Sarvodaya Hospital. My clinic is in 15/A by the name of Crimson clinic. I have an experience of twelve years in the field of Dermatology and Cosmetology. In today’s topic, I am going to give you some tips regarding hair care during the summer season.

Summer is the time to be extra caring towards your hair.

• It is essential to cover your hair while going out during the summer season. This will protect your hair against the harmful affects of UV rays and also help retain moisture in the air.
• Also, keeping your hair in a loose hairstyle works very well during the summer season as it prevents the accumulation of sweat and dust in your hair.
• Avoid washing your hair too much during the summer season as excessive washing will also dry up your scalp and causes fizziness.
• Don’t skip the conditioner. Opt for a mild conditioner after every wash and deep conditioning treatments with hot oil can be done once a week. Avoid heat treatments during the summer month as it dries the hair excessively.
• Also blow drying is not recommended during this season. Adopt natural air dying.
• Use a wide toothed comb to brush your hair rather than a simple brush because that will cause more breakage.
• Summer months is the time for more split ends so it is recommended to trim your hair regularly in this period.
• Once you’re done with applying sunscreen on your body it is recommended that you just roll on your fingers through the scalp hair so that the remaining sunscreen will give you some protection against your scalp. I
• In case of swimming, it is always advisable to wet your hair before you get into the pool to prevent the chlorine from damaging your skin. Also do remember to take a shower post swimming to, again, remove the residual effects of chlorine on the scalp.
• Your hair is also a reflection of your lifestyle which is why a balanced diet and a healthy exercise regime is very important for maintaining a healthy weight. In case you gain weight you are more prone to hormonal disturbances which in turn leads to a polycystic ovarian syndrome that also causes hair loss.

So it is recommended to have a healthy, balanced diet with fruits and vegetables. You should avoid junk food in your diet. The most important part is to remain stress-free because stress causes hormonal changes in your body which again, has an adverse effect on your hair.

Thank you.

In case you want to know more regarding any of your skin, cosmetic, or hair issues, you can consult me or take an appointment through Lybrate or contact me in my clinic in Sector 15/A, Crimson Clinic.

Lybrate | Dr. Shruti Kohli speaks on IMPORTANCE OF TREATING ACNE EARLY

Drug rashes are generally defined as the reaction of the body to certain kinds of diseases. Different drugs result in different kinds of diseases which sometimes are as dangerous as being life-threatening. There are different types of drug rashes. They can manifest in different forms. Common ones are:

1. Blisters and swelling: Many drugs result in acute blisters and swelling in different parts of the body. This condition, if unchecked, may aggravate, leading to dangerous consequences.
2. Prolonged high fever: Continuous rise in fever is often diagnosed as a serious consequence of certain drugs.
3. Abnormal redness of the skin: Few medicines often result in sudden reddening of the skin. This condition continues till the drug is discontinued.
4. Rash and itching: This is considered as one of the most common side-effects of medicines. Often medicines result in continuous itching and rashes on the skin that also causes swelling, if unchecked.
5. Swelling of tissues: Tissues often swell up as a result of consumption of certain medicines. Consequently, the concerned person experiences problems in breathing and often a drastic fall in blood pressure.

However, there are ways that one can adopt in order to combat drug rashes.

1. Identify and discontinue the drug: One of the most essential ways of combating drug rashes is to identify the drug and immediately discontinue its consumption.
2. Avoid using chemicals: One way of easy recuperation is to avoid using chemicals, soaps on the affected areas. If continued to use, they aggravate the already caused damage. On the other hand, Calamine can be used for treating drugs.
3. Wear loose-fitting clothes: Wearing tight clothes that sticks to the body further damages the skin. Instead, one should try to wear loose-fitted clothes that allow the skin to heal.
4. Apply cool compresses: Taking cool showers or applying cool compresses over the affected areas significantly help to recuperate fast. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Dermatologist.

Acne is not a harmful or a dangerous condition, but is usually a cosmetic problem and may also sometimes be a symptom of underlying conditions.

So what kind of skin care regimen can you have in order to prevent acne? Read on to know more:

1. Makeup: If your skin is acne prone, you can use non oily makeup or avoid it on a daily basis, if you can. Non oily makeup does not irritate the sebaceous glands, which can end up secreting excessive oil leading to acne breakouts. Non oily makeup and skincare products are known as non-comedogenic, which do not clog the pores. Also, you must remember to remove your applied makeup carefully before you go to bed, so that the pores are clean and get a chance to breathe rather than getting infected. Further, your old makeup needs to be thrown out regularly even if the products do not come with an expiry date. Invest in new makeup every few months and clean your brushes regularly too.
2. Cleaning Acne Prone Areas: You must wash the acne prone areas with soap and warm water at least twice a day. If your case has been very severe in the past, you can even use a medicated soap to wash the neck, shoulders and back as sometimes, acne spreads to these areas as well. Concentrate on the face and remember to clean it to remove dust, grime and other irritants that come from pollution. If this is not done on a regular basis, the particles can block the pores and lead to infection where the dead skin cells play a major role.
3. Sweat: After a particularly intense workout session or after a run, you must remember to wash you face and take a shower so that the sweat and oil is can be removed, as these lead to breakouts if they are allowed to gather on the skin's surface and enter the pores. Taking care of your skin with a proper cleaning and hydrating routine is as important is getting the right nutrition as well. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Dermatologist.