Brief Answer: Telogen Effluvium; Antiacne gels+oral Antibiotics Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for posting your concern at HCM. You have mentioned 2 concerns here: Hair fall and Acne. We will deal with them one by one. Coming to your first concern: Hair fall Hair fall/loss can be due to various reasons: --Androgenetic Alopecia(in both males and females) --Telogen effluvium (Post stress i.e medical, surgical, psychological) --Alopecia Areata --Secondary to various disease of the scalp like Seborrheic Dermatitis, Lichen Planus, Discoid Lupus Erythematosus. Since you recently recovered from Dengue. Therefore I would keep a possibility of TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM as the responsible cause for hair fall. This usually starts in the third or fourth month after the Illness and ends by six months. This is a temporary phase. I would advice a good healthy diet, along with your Iron and Biotin supplements. Take a high protein diet because hair is all protein(keratin). Dandruff or Seborrheic Dermatitis is common cause of hair fall. Dandruff if controlled effectively by anti-dandruff shampoo/lotion also reduces the hair fall consequent of dandruff. Coming to your other concern:Acne Acne is a very common problem in young. Acne commonly involves face, trunk, chest and shoulders (all these areas are rich in sebaceous glands). Treatment of acne required diligence and patience both on the part of the patient and the doctor. I advice the following general measures to my patients of acne: --Use a mild cleanser like cetaphil twice daily. Harsh cleansing causes the skin to become excessively dry which in turn causes rebound oiliness. --Avoid all the regular use creams, moisturisers, sunscreens that you may be using for the time being till you are on anti-acne treatment. --Avoid taking facials. --Avoid picking your acne. Since Acne and seborrheic dermatitis/dandruff are usually associated it is advisable to use an Anti-dandruff shampoo since acne is worsened by dandruff. Specific treatment for acne: --Oral Antibiotics: For inflammatory acne(papules and pustules) I usually advice my patients to start with one of the oral antibiotics like Azithromycin/ Doxycycline/ Minocycline. --Oral Retinoids: For severe acne OR for acne unresponsive to traditional anti-acne medications, Isotretinoin can be started. It the only drug which offers any chance of long term cure and after a full course of isotretinoin significant number of people never have a recurrence of there acne. It should be taken under the supervision of a dermatologist because of certain lab tests which are to be done before and during treatment with isotretinoin. --Topical treatment: Is a valuable adjunct to any form of acne treatment. Mainly two classes of drugs are used topically 1)Topical Antibacterials: Dermatologists around the world prescribe topical gels/creams containing topical antibiotics like either clindamycin 1%/ benzoyl peroxide 2.5% OR Nadifloxacin during the day time. 2)Topical Retinoids: Either Adapalene 0.1%/ Tretinoin 0.025% OR Azaleic acid (10%/20%) at bed time. I would advice that toy see a dermatologist and get a prescription out for your problem after having a discussion with him keeping all these points in mind. I am here to help you with any clarifications you desire. take care regards

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Brief Answer: Sun induced tanning Detailed Answer: Hi. 'Sun induced tanning' could be the reason for your dark complexion. You can use a broad spectrum sunscreen gel, that which offers protection against both UVA and UVB,throughout the day and a skin lightening cream containing one or more of the following ingredients i.e kojic acid, hydroquinone, glycolic acid etc at night, but since you also have acne at the moment, so it is advisable to use just anti-acne medicines on your face till your acne is under control. One your acne is under control, then you can begin using sunscreen and skin lightening creams which will also help lighten post acne hyperpigmentation/post acne marks, if in case any. take care regards

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