Specialist can offer suitable therapy
Dear Dr. Gott: I have a problem. I never noticed this subject in your column before. Some years ago, I worked at a nursing home and a resident there had scabies. I came in contact with her, and – you guessed it – I got it. Well, I still have those ugly scars on my back. I used lots of OTC creams to fade the spots. Do you or your readers have any suggestions on how to get rid of these unsightly scars?
Dear Reader: Rashes caused by the itch mite are rarely severe enough to cause scarring or disfiguration. As a general rule, scabies – although easily passed from one person to another – is treated with a variety of anti-mite preparations, such as NIX.
Because you apparently had a serious case of scabies that left you with residuals, I suggest a visit to a dermatologist who can provide counsel about appropriate therapy.
Dear Dr. Gott: My son is 22 years old. He has always had little “bumps” on his nipples that bother him tremendously. He works out at the gym five times a week, and does the “pec” exercises, but these “bumps” don’t seem to go away. Is there anything, short of surgery, that can help this condition
Dear Reader: Although sensitive and prominent nipples are common in adolescents – and, often in middle-aged men – the fact that your son’s life is being adversely affected is important.
I recommend that a referral to an endocrinologist who will examine and test him, to make sure he doesn’t have an estrogen-producing tumor. I believe this is too unlikely in a healthy, 22-year-old male, but in situations such as these, all the t’s need to be crossed and the i’s dotted.
Dear Dr. Gott: I enjoy your column and learn from it.
I discovered that you have written a couple of books: “Live Longer, Live Better” and “No House Calls.”
Since I like your column, I thought I would go to the library and check out your books.
For some reason, our library doesn’t have either one. I then decided to see how much they cost at the local bookstore. They didn’t have them, either, but I found “Live Longer, Live Better” on the Internet. I “bit the bullet” and ordered it. However, they couldn’t find “No House Calls.” Could you tell me how I can obtain the book?
Dear Reader: “No House Calls,” which I wrote in the 1980s, is out of print but might be found at a used-book dealer.
“Live Longer, Live Better” can be ordered from the publisher at Quill Driver Books, 1254 Commerce Ave., Sanger, CA 93657, by telephone at (800) 605-7176 or online at QuillDriverBooks.com.
I am working on a new book, to be published in the spring, on my “no flour, no sugar” diet. I’ll keep you posted in my column about the progress of the book and its expected release date.