Professor Dr. Hasibur Rahman (Dermatologist)
Myth & Facts
× General people think that there are few skin diseases!
√ But actually there are more than 2500 skin diseases !
√ Rather Vitamine -C containing sour foods enhancing wound healing.
× When there is any skin diseases patients usually ban all allergic foods !
√ All considered foods are not allergic. Nutritional deficiencies may occur which delay to cure the skin problems
× Sudden appearance of blistering skin lesions suggesting ‘Bad Air’ contact by ‘Jeen’!
√ Actually this disease is caused by virus called Herpes zoster with scarring
× Use of Herbal medications in skin diseases is safe forever !
√ Many times herbal applications causing contact dermatitis and dissemination of infections rather than remedy!
• Unhygienic condition & crude form of extract may be responsible for it!
×Hairs are taken up by Insects suddenly!
√ Actually the disease is due to autoimmune phenomenon called Alopecia Areata
× Use of curd over scalp – reduce the hair fall !
√ Hairs become more weak if curd reaches up to hair roots.
× Frequent Shaving of scalp reduce skin problem there !
√ Scalp psoriasis is aggravated by more shaving or scratching
× In case of children the hairs are not allowed to grow long as because the hairs eat up all nutrition !
This misconception is prevailing in the rural community mostly
√ Hair plucking cause more thickening of hairs !
Wrong conception.
× More Shaving of hairs causing more regrowth of them !
√ Shaving never stimulates for hair growth
× Hair oils necessary for regrowth of hairs !
√ There is no role of oil hair , sometime aggravate many skin diseases like acne
× When there is Acne it should be removed manually for cure
√ Manual pricking frequently result Acne excoriata with infection & post inflammatory hyper pigmentation
× Turmeric fairs the skin during daytime use !
√ Since the turmeric is a photo sensitising agent it may affects the skin more to dark.
× Mole or melanocytic nevus present since birth should not be removed—-chance of developing cancer!
√ Chance of malignancy more rather if it is not removed—-malignant melanoma.
Skin diseases may be improved by using plant roots, Tabiz, rings etc. !
No role & unscientific
× Laser therapy of the skin may cause skin Cancer !
√ Laser is very safe for all skin types ! Sometime skin cancer treatment is done successfully with co2 Laser
× Keloid can be removed by surgery alone !
√ Only surgical excision is not recommended rather contraindicated
× Vitiligo is always a familial disease !
√ Only 30% vitiligo may run to the families
× Vitiligo is a curse & It is not curable !
√ Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease and can be treated successfully in early stage and can be controled in many cases
× Milk / sour foods are harmful for Vitiligo !
√ Vitiligo may be aggravated if there is nutritional deficiency
× Most of the skin diseases are contagious !
√ Most of the skin diseases are non-contagious.
× Skin diseases are not curable !
√ Most of the skin diseases are curable if diagnosed & managed properly.
× Many people think that Homeopathic medicines have no side effects!
× Homeo physicians always try to convince the patients in such a way that skin diseases will be aggravated after medication and will cure in the long run!
× Tolerate everything & wait until cure! Many times developed Squamous Cell Carcinoma and aggravating the existing skin conditions
Practically these are hopeless for the remedy!
√ Please be careful
Use of Topical steroids
√ Should not be used in infection-( like Bacterial, viral, fungal)
√ Restriction of use in thin skin (Intertriginous areas), face,scrotum etc.
√ Excessive steroid use may lead to Cushing syndrome and even Diabetes!
√ Acne altered due to with drawl effect of Betnovate cream
√ Excessive topical steroid application resulting Cushing syndrome!
Rosacea aggravated from using topical steroid
Systemic steroid is contraindicated in psoriasis patient
√ On administration of systemic steroid in psoriasis patient – a magic improvement may occur for the time being,
√ but severe generalised psoriasis will develop after withdrawal of the drug !
Antibiotic is life saving
√ Indiscriminate use of antibiotic resulting drug reaction as well as drug resistance in our community.
To find out Chemical or Antibiotic allergy prick test should be done:
Conclusion:
√ Many differential diagnoses need to be considered for skin diseases.
√ So correct diagnosis, proper treatment, follow up advices for prevention may take the patient for the remission of many skin problems.
√ Today’s our slogan will be
Take either proper treatment or no treatment but never get maltreated by any one.