Cussons Care - August 20

I was on holiday recently and was bitten by a tic. It got stuck into my skin and it was so difficult to remove that I had to go to the hospital. There they put some cream on it and twisted it anti-clockwise to remove it. They said it usually goes on animals rather than humans. The problem is, it is now three weeks and I still have a red mark. I am concerned that the insect left some type of poison or even laid eggs there. Should I do anything about this?
Hatem, Dubai
Dr David Russell: Ticks are non-venomous insects which bite and usually inject anti-coagulant saliva in order to feed on your blood, but do not inject poison. As a result you will get local irritation and allergic reactions. Itching is the main symptom to control with insect bites. Topical histamines and anaesthetics give quick temporary relief. May people are worried about infection when they see the redness and swelling from the sting, but this is normal immediately after a sting and for up to a few days later. Three weeks is rather a long time for the redness to have persisted, so I suggest that you consult your doctor again.

My back is full of little skin tags and even some moles. I am also always getting ingrown hairs that cause pimples. I do not want to waste a lot of time or effort but my wife keeps complaining to me that I should do something about this. What can I do? Can a skin doctor remove all these skin tags? Would it be expensive and could he do them all at once, or would it take a few sessions.
Robert, 38
Skin tags are easy to remove – all you need is a pair of tweezers and a reel of cotton. Lift the skin tag gently away from the skin with the tweezers, then tie a piece of cotton tightly around the base and knot it. The cotton will cut off the blood supply to the tag and it should drop off in a couple of days. You will need your wife to help you and then hopefully she will stop complaining.

I have a lump on my face like a mole, but not exactly one. They seem to run in my family. How can I get this removed, and would it leave a scar? I have had it for over 10 years, and I know it is harmless, but it is ruining my appearance
Angela
Your lump is probably what is commonly termed a sebaceous cyst. They are caused by a build up of fatty material resulting from the blockage of a sebaceous duct or gland within the skin. They are harmless and best ignored unless they become infected, when they then form an abcess. Surgical incision is the best method of removal if you wish to have it removed, and if done properly should only leave minimal scarring.

My problem is that both my eyebrows run together, so it looks like one huge eyebrow. The problem is I'm not in a rock band, and I can't get away with it! I look terrible, and want to know how I can get rid of this – don't want to shave all the time, but not sure about doing some surgical treatment. Please let me know.
Anonymous
Ask a female friend to pluck the hair between your brows as women have plenty of practice at this! Alternatively ask your barber if they can thread the area. Waxing is another alternative and only needs to be done every four to six weeks. You could try laser treatment, but this is expensive and I don't think necessary in your case.

I have chicken pox, some say small pox, scars on my face. Please tell me how to find what they really are and how to differentiate between them. I have been to many dermatologists, some recommended laser and some dermabrasion, but later I found that for Asian skins they may cause severe side-effects. So please tell me about home remedies, some allopathic creams/lotions etc, and also if some herbal treatment is available.
Anonymous
First, your scars are most certainly not smallpox scars, as you would have known if you had had this potentially fatal disease which has been eradicated worldwide. You are correct when you say that for Asian skins laser and dermabrasion do carry some risks, mainly the development of excessive pigmentation. There are, however, different types of lasers, some of which are more suitable for darker skins and I suggest that you investigate this further. As for creams and lotions, Vitamin A creams help to improve the skin's texture, firmness and smoothness. Those sold over the counter at pharmacies have a low percentage of vitamin A, but your doctor will be able to prescribe a cream with a higher percentage of the vitamin. You could consult an aromatherapist, who could blend an oil for you . Essential oils such as Lavender, Benzoin, Frankinsence and Geranium help to heal and regenerate the skin.

Write to Dr David Russell at Gulf News, Tabloid, P.O. Box 6519, Dubai or fax to 04-3429720, or email to tabloid@gulf-news.com