Shingles

Dear Dr. Jen,

I have rashes on my bum area, which becomes very itchy although not painful.  It comes and goes.  My gyne has diagnosed me with shingles but it comes around whenever I wear shaping undergarments.  Is it possible for spanx to cause zoster?

Liza

Dear Liza,

Shingles or herpes zoster is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox.  Poor immune system, older age (over 50 years old), stress, physical trauma and steroid intake can trigger the appearance of shingles. Often, you feel tingling affecting only one side of the body, accompanied by a headache, then the vesicles appear.  They look like water drops on a red base. They can become itchy and painful. It eventually dries up and crusts after seven to 10 days.

Shingles may seldom appear twice in the same person, but extremely rare for it to appear thrice.  Tight underwear can precipitate trauma to the skin. But more likely, it can also be an allergic reaction to the spanx material.  Stretchy material on such close contact to the skin can irritate and cause contact dermatitis.

In contact dermatitis, the skin is itchy and not painful.  Treatment with anti-inflammatory creams can easily make the itchiness disappear.  Antihistamines can also alleviate the itchiness. However, if you don’t ever want to have the rashes appear again, it might be best to bid your tight undergarments adieu and embrace the use of loose clothing in the near future!

Dear Dr. Jen,

Ever since I gained some weight, I noticed that my neck and underarm area have gotten dark.  I have seen some warts sprouting in these areas and it is so embarrassing. I cannot wear sleeveless, even to the beach.  Is there hope for this to be reversed?  I have tried all kinds of deodorants and lemon bleaching regimens but none has been successful.

Sonny

Dear Sonny,

Darkening on the flexural surfaces of the skin such as the neck, underarms, elbows, knees and groin areas is common among individuals who have gained weight.  There is no actual increase in melanin in the epidermis, but it is actually a condition called acanthosis nigricans.

Acanthosis nigricans does not respond to the usual bleaching procedures.  Though retinol cream and other bleaching creams can slightly reduce the appearance of darkening, it will not address the problem head-on.

Getting yourself checked for other conditions that can lead to acanthosis is one of the first steps you can undertake.  Diabetes, hypothyroidism, pituitary gland abnormalities and other disorders can be found in acanthosis patients.

Once the existence of other conditions is ruled out, reversing the acanthosis is the next plan.  Paramount to the reversal of the flexural darkening is to find a way to manage the weight.  Once this primary trigger is addressed, the skin darkening will no longer be an issue.

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with the Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). Information on PDS is at www.pds.org.ph. Questions or concerns regarding the skin may be sent by text to 0932 857 7070 or emailed to [email protected]; or coursed thru The Freeman – (032) 2531276, or thru PSH – (032) 2338620 and 2325929. Inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.