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A large boil, for example, on the back of the neck, needs to be surgically opened and drained and then a month or two later, any remaining cyst wall or lump should be completely surgically excised.

It’s very simple: Isoface and Accutane are two different names for Isotretinoin, so essentially, they’re the same thing.

I am also happy to tell you that combing your hair will not cause any damage or any hair loss to your existing healthy hairs. However, those hairs that are getting ready to fall out in three or four days may fall out sooner.

Your situation of sensitive skin and acne is common and people with that combination do best with a gentle cleanser for dry or sensitive skin, finacea, and occasional exfoliation (i.e., two to three times per week) with a low strength exfoliating product (e.g., 1% salicylic acid or 5% glycolic) applied each time for a short 15-30 minute period instead of overnight.

Hereditary eczema (often associated with asthma and hay fever) is a condition that can be controlled by medications but not cured with medications. Fortunately, eczema often goes away by itself as you grow older, but it is not because of the medicine you’ve had but just because your body rejects the eczema and heals it. A natural treatment for relief of itching consists of using skim milk and water compresses and then applying moisturizers with aloe. In addition, mentholated moisturizers like Sarna lotion also are very effective at relieving the itching.

While facials are a good way to unclog pores and treat blackheads, in addition it is important to use an exfoliating product that can dissolved blackheads and stop them from forming in the first place, such as glycolic products or even retinoids. The facials alone may not stop the blackheads from coming.

Unfortunately, there is no topical acid or product which alone will effectively help sebaceous hyperplasia. It can be treated by surgical removal or PDT (“photodynamic therapy”). PDT involves chemicals put on the affected lesions of sebaceous hyperplasia that are then treated with a laser by a dermatologist.

Dandruff is usually caused by either a hereditary predisposition (i.e., it’s inherited), stress, or a combination of the two. It’s not caused by a fungus and it’s not influenced by foods. Over-the-counter shampoos contain many different ingredients, but the more effective ones are tar (Neutrogena T/Gel) or salicylic acid (Neutrogena T/Sal). If regular use of shampoos like the above on a daily basis with lathering up for a minute, rinsing out, and lathering up for another minute are not effective, then the best way to cure it will be by obtaining prescription medication from a dermatologist that can be used topically on the scalp to aid in the relief of dandruff.

Dry, itchy, swollen eyelids are a common, very bothersome problem. First, fresh nail polish is a very common cause of eyelid dermatitis. This is discussed in greater detail in DermTV.com episode #12, Common Causes for Itchy and Swollen Eyelids. However, if that’s not the cause, then keep in mind that any allergen or irritant can cause it, so often times figuring out the cause is a process of trials and errors. If you’re using neosporin cream, that could be an issue as it is a very common allergen. Next, if you find yourself rubbing your eyes you will make the rash worse, so it is important to first treat the itch or dryness of your eyes with lubricating eye drops or eye gel, and/or an oral antihistamine. Once you stop rubbing things will get better. In addition, you must treat the irriation that already exsits on the eyelids. Using an over the counter 1% hydrocortisone cream for 2-3 days on the rash is appropriate, but as the skin on the eyelids is very sensitive, the cortisone cream should be used very sparingly. Lastly, you should constantly add moisture back to your eyelids using simple non irritation products like Vaseline petroleum jelly. If these measures are not helpful, see your dermatologist to discuss the possibility of allergy or patch testing.

Canker sores can be recurrent and painful, however, fortunately they are not contagious. Nonetheless, it is important to have a doctor take a look at the sores in your mouth to make sure that is what they are, and then to prescribe the appropriate treatment. Please see DermTV episode #103, The Difference Between Canker Sores and Herpres for more information. In general, topical tetracycline compresses by prescription from your doctor (4-6x/day) can make canker sores go away much faster and a teaspoon of benadryl elixir (available without prescription) swished around in the mouth for a minute and then spit out can reduce the pain and is especially helpful before meals.