Dr Christophe Hsu – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland Your doctor has just prescribed methotrexate for you. What is methotrexate used for? Methotrexate is a medicine used to treat psoriasis. It is also used for many other diseases In Psoriasis, your skin cells grow and mature too rapidly, resulting in elevated, red plaques covered by dry silvery…
Your doctor has prescribed oral isotretinoin for use. What is isotretinoin used for? Isotretinoin is used to treat severe acne that has not responded to other acne medicines. It reduces the oil gland activity and clears inflammation. How should I take isotretinoin? Isotretinoin is available in the form of capsules. Take this medicine as directed…
This is an emollient which is used to moisturize dry skin. It may also be used as a soap substitute on problem skin with eczema or other skin rash which cannot tolerate over-drying toilet soaps. Your doctor has prescribed this for you as a : Moisturizer Apply it liberally to the affected areas, at least…
Your doctor has just prescribed an antihistamine for you. It may be one of the following (list not complete): Sedative antihistamines Buclizine Chlorpheniramine Cyproheptadine Hydroxyzine Mebhydrolin Promethazine Oxatomide Less-Sedative Antihistamines Acrivastine Astemizole Cetirizine Loratadine Terfenadine Levocetirizine Desloratadine What are antihistamines used for? Antihistamines are used to relieve itch, redness and swelling in some skin conditions…
Topical antifungal preparations Dr Christophe Hsu – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland If you are prescribed a topical antifungal it may be one of the following (list not complete): Cream / Ointments Ciclopiroxolamine Econazole Miconazole Clotrimazole Ketoconazole Nystatin Terbinafine Liquids Amorolfine Ciclopiroxolamine Econazole Tolciclate Castellani’s Clotrimazole Selenium Sulphide Powders Clotrimazole Miconazole Econazole Tolciclate Pessaries / Vaginal tablets…
Oral antifungals Dr Christophe Hsu – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland Your doctor has just prescribed an oral antifungal medication for you. What are antifungals used for? Antifungals are used to treat infections caused by fungus. These organisms can infect the skin, scalp, finger nails, toe nails, vagina and the intestinal tract. When the infection affects the…
If your doctor has prescribed a topical acne preparation for you. It is probably one of the following (list not complete): Antibiotics Lotion Erythromycin Clindamycin or Peeling Agents Benzoyl Peroxide gel Resorcinol/Sulphur cream What are topical acne/pimple preparations used for? These are applied to the skin to treat acne(pimple). They work by exerting antibacterial action…
What is Botulinum Toxin ? How does it treat wrinkles ? It is a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium Botulinium. When injected in big quantities, the toxin induces muscular paralysis. In smaller quantities in a targeted muscle, the paralysis remains localized. Therefore, if it is injected in the muscles which produce frowning wrinkles and…
What is a chemical peel ? Also called exfoliation treatment, it is a technique of skin regeneration, thus having an “anti-aging” effect. An evaluation before treatment as well as the treatment itself must be done by a physician experienced in dermatology. Different chemical substances can be used. By this technique, skin is exfoliated followed by…
Dr Christophe Hsu – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland What is vitiligo ? Vitiligo is a skin disorder which presents as white spots and patches on the skin. This is due to a progressive loss of the pigment, melanin, which gives us our skin colour. The loss of pigment occurs when pigment cells (melanocytes) are destroyed and…
