Doc, what can I do to keep my allergies in check?

Your immune system reacts strongly to allergens that cause your respiratory system to overreact with inflammation of the lining of the nose and excessive production of mucus. This causes sneezing, and sometimes a runny and stuffy nose. PHOTO | FILE

Dr Flo, for the last three years, I have had very sensitive sinuses (I’m not sure if that is the right term). When exposed to allergens such as strong scents, mildew and pollen, I get very bad bouts of sneezing, followed by hours of non-stop nasal discharge that is watery and salty. Most times I have a very itchy palate. Please help.

Ann

 

Dear Ann,

You seem to have allergic rhinitis, meaning that your immune system reacts strongly to allergens like pollen, mildew, dust, strong smells and cold.

These are triggers that cause your respiratory system to overreact, with inflammation of the lining of the nose and excessive production of mucus. This causes the sneezing, and sometimes a runny and stuffy nose.

This is usually in the genetic make-up of a person, which means it can be passed from parents to children, and cannot be eradicated.

It is also associated with other allergy conditions like allergic skin rashes, allergic cough, recurrent itching of the eyes (allergic conjunctivitis) and asthma. A person may have one or a combination of several of them.

The condition cannot be cured, but it can be controlled by avoiding the triggers e.g. cold, dust, strong smells, pollen and smoke, and by taking anti-allergy medicines like anti-histamines and steroids (in severe cases). Nasal sprays can also be used to control it.

Dr Flo, whenever I shave my pubic hair, I get a burning sensation and I feel compelled to scratch hard. Sometimes a pimple pops up and it looks like a boil. When I apply after-shave it disappears. I have had medical tests done but no infection or bacteria is ever found. I have had this problem for years. Please help.

Tony

Dear Tony,

You are suffering from pseudo-folliculitis. After shaving, as the hair is growing back, the hair either re-enters the skin at the skin follicle, or the sharp tip of the hair pierces the skin follicle before it even grows out of the skin to become visible.

This causes the area to become inflamed, causing itching, redness and even swelling. Sometimes, it also gets infected, causing more swelling and pain, and production of pus. This can happen anywhere where the hair is shaved or plucked, including the face, the armpits, the groin and the legs.

It is more common in people with curly hair, as compared to those with straight hair. It is more common in African males, but it can also occur in women.

The simplest treatment for pseudo-folliculitis is to let the hair grow, or only trim it, and not shaving completely.

The ingrown hair in the bumps can be removed gently with tweezers. Steroid creams and acne medications can help reduce the inflammation. In case of infection, antibiotic creams and even antibiotic tablets can be prescribed.

To prevent these razor bumps in the future:

Avoid shaving

Don’t shave every day; skip at least a day in between shaves

Don’t shave completely. Leave at least 0.5 to 1mm of hair

Use a single blade razor to avoid shaving too close

Use an electric razor, which should be properly cleaned and sterilised after use

Shave in the direction of the skin follicle, not against it, and don’t stretch the skin

Soften the hair first with a hot, wet cloth, or shave in a hot shower

Exfoliate and moisturise the skin e.g. with glycolic acid peel (a derivative of sugarcane)

Chemical shaving e.g. Using barium sulfide paste

Permanent hair removal e.g. with laser or electrolysis, Vaniqa cream (eflornithine hydrochloride 13.9%)

Dr Flo, I had sex with a girl and after several days, I started having severe abdominal pain, backache, pain in my scrotum and itching in my rectum. I have gone to hospital, but the symptoms persist. Am I suffering from a sexually transmitted infection?

MM

Dear MM,

You most likely contracted an infection from your sexual encounter, which would make it a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

An infection of the reproductive tract can cause pain when passing urine, blood in urine, passing urine frequently, abnormal discharge, scrotal pain and abdominal pain and back pain.

You need a urine test and culture, and a chlamydia test to determine how severe the infection is and to find out the exact cause of the infection. You may also benefit from a scrotal ultrasound scan.

Treatment may involve both injectable and oral medication. You may also be given a cream to apply to the itching areas.

Take a lot of water, because when you pass urine frequently, the bacteria causing the infection are washed out.

It is also important that any sexual partner you have had recently be treated, to prevent re-infection and for their own health.

In future, remember to use protection (condoms), because frequent infections can lead to quite serious complications like urethral strictures (the urethra becomes narrow because of formation of scars, and passing urine becomes difficult).

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