You Could Be Making Your Pimples Worse!

Want to know one of the fastest ways to make pimples worse?

Keep touching them.
Keep squeezing them.
Keep picking at them.
Keep tweaking them.

Many people spend money on acne treatments while unknowingly doing the one thing that causes more scarring and more breakouts.

If you’re struggling with pimples, read the post below to know what your skin wishes you would stop doing today.

Q: Please Dr, how can I cure my pimples naturally?

A: Pimples or acne are always a serious concern for males and females of all ages. When you’re a teenager, it appears life is generally miserable when you have a lot of these and when you’re older, it’s embarrassing and almost as if, you didn’t pass through rites of the teenage years and now have to deal with it at this age 😀 Either way, it can be a source of emotional upset. Stressing out about it, now makes it even worse as stress can make acne worse even if it doesn’t directly cause it.

Acne happens when hair follicles get blocked by dead skin cells and oil. They are most frequently found on the face, back, shoulders and neck.

Pimples are usually increased or aggravated by hormones which are in abundant supply during the teenage years, pregnancy, before the start of a menstrual period and when using some medications. In other instances, pimples result from friction between clothes and skin (e.g. collar, or wearing a back pack often), having greasy hair or other materials constantly touching the skin and a family history of acne.

Acne can be inflammatory (in which case they are usually painful like pimples) or non-inflammatory (blackheads or whiteheads).

One of the major problems with acne is the fact that a lot of the people who have them can’t leave them well alone…plucking, tweaking, pressing and just generally touching them leading to more inflammation, scarring and even bacterial infections as germs from hands are transferred to them.

Treatment of acne is targeted at one or a mixture of the following factors: reducing inflammation, reducing oil production, improving skin cell turnover and reducing bacterial infection.

Creams with Salicylic acid or Benzoyl peroxide are useful for removing dead skin cells, killing off bacteria and reducing oil production. You may notice some slight irritation initially which wears off in a little while.

Where in doubt, please see your doctor.

Your doctor could also prescribe other (stronger) drugs if the above do not work to deal with the acne and the scarring.

You can prevent pimples by using gentle cleansers on your face in the morning and evening. Be sure that they do not dry out your face as these cause even further irritation.

Do not use your body soap on your face for the same reason. Use a facial bar or facial wash.

Keep greasy hair off your face and wear loose clothes that allow your skin to breathe. Cotton is always a great idea 😀 For this same reason, if you always carry a rucksack/backpack, switch it around and carry other bags in turn to allow your back ‘breath’

Do not use greasy cosmetics and if you have acne, perhaps you should give your foundation a miss for a while or try not to be too heavy handed with it 😀

Be sure to wipe all your makeup off your face every night. Those pores need some air after all that war paint we put over them 😀
And…please leave your face alone, especially if you’ve got pimples. Continually picking at them will just cause more scarring and increase the likelihood of bacterial infections 😉

For natural methods, Alpha hydroxy acids found in some fruits have been found to also be helpful. A good number of creams contain this and they help unclog pores and remove dead skin cells. Use with caution though as they may cause some irritation.

Have a great evening!

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Should I Believe The Urine or The Blood Test?

Doctor, my blood test says I’m pregnant… but my urine test says I’m not. Which one should I believe?🤔

It sounds impossible.

After all, aren’t pregnancy tests supposed to give the same answer?

Not always.

A positive blood pregnancy test can sometimes occur even when a urine test is negative and in some cases, the reason may require urgent medical attention.

Here’s what every woman should know.

A positive result on blood pregnancy test, could mean that you’re pregnant.

If you’re not, then the false positive result could be due to medications like fertility medicines or some meds used for the treatment of seizures

It is also possible that one was pregnant at the time of the previous blood pregnancy test and miscarried soon after. This type of early pregnancy is referred to as a chemical pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy, a situation in which a pregnancy implants outside of the womb (uterus), could also result in high hCG levels. It is usually discovered in the first couple of weeks of pregnancy (it would have been discovered by the 8th week of pregnancy). The patient would usually come into hospital with complaints of light abdominal bleeding, abdominal pain or cramps, extreme dizziness from the bleeding. If the tube ruptures (bursts), patient could faint from profuse bleeding into the abdomen.

When a miscarriage happens, the hCG in the body does not disappear overnight. It would usually take about four to six weeks after miscarriage for the hCG levels to return to normal. So, this could also be responsible for the positive pregnancy test you had.

Rising hCG levels could also be due to two conditions known as choriocarcinoma (in which a cancer forms in the ‘placenta’ tissues) or a molar pregnancy (in which a fertilized egg turns into a mass of cysts instead of a normal pregnancy).

So, your best option now is to see your doctor for a detailed history, examination and investigation. S/he will advise on next steps.

All the best!

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Your Hiccups Could Be Trying To Tell You Something!

Q: Hello Doctor my dad is having hiccups and it’s really irritating because he can’t eat even if he drinks water it doesn’t stop. We went to different hospitals, no help. What can be the cause and its treatment?

A: Hiccups refer to involuntary contractions of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the thin muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. This is followed by sudden closure of the vocal chords with the resulting hiccup sound at the top of the windpipe.

Hiccups are quite common and can affect any age group. They usually occur without provocation and last for a few minutes before disappearing. These episodes may be linked to:

Bloating. Eating or drinking too quickly (in which case a lot of gas/air is taken in)

Smoking

Drinking alcohol

Drinking fizzy or hot drinks

Sucking on candy

However, sometimes hiccups may last for prolonged periods and in these cases are associated with underlying medical conditions:

Meningitis

Diabetes

Alcoholism

Stroke

Neck tumours

Most cases of hiccups do not require treatment. However, some may persist requiring treatments with drugs, injection of medications and/or surgery depending on the underlying condition.

I am sure most of you may have tried many home remedies like:

Putting a thread on your head! This one is laughable and I do not know anyone it has helped.

Sipping on cold water. Well, if it helps, why not?!

Holding your breath for a bit. Again, if it helps, go for it.

Generally, I suggest that you note the triggers noted here (generally, things that make you gassy), stay away from them and see if that helps. The triggers for belching and hiccups are basically same…factors that cause you to swallow a lot of air. Don’t stay away from food completely….we need you alive I believe this will help. Be sure to also check in with your doctor for a proper diagnosis to be made, if this continues.

Have a good night, people 😀

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My Period Has Disappeared…Will I Ever Have A Baby?

Doctor, my period only comes once every 3 months. Will I ever be able to have children? 😢

This is one of the most common fears women with polycystic ovaries (PCOS) face.

When your period disappears for months at a time, it’s easy to assume the worst.

But…PCOS does NOT automatically mean you can’t get pregnant.

It can cause irregular periods, hormone imbalances, ovarian cysts, and fertility challenges, but many women with PCOS go on to become mothers.

Before you lose hope, read the poster for what you need to know about PCOS, missing periods, and your fertility.

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Doctor, Will My Baby Ever Talk?!

In babies with tongue tie, there’s a tight piece of skin holding the tongue down from the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This is also called ankyloglossia and could affect baby’s ability to latch on properly to suckle (as the tongue does not cover the lower gum). This can lead to baby chomping on mum’s nipple with resultant sore nipples.

First thing, do not be scared. Even if indeed, she has tongue tie, it’s not a huge problem. Some doctors believe that if it’s not affecting baby’s feeding, then it should be left well alone. But others believe, it should be taken out as there’s also a possibility that it could cause speech problems later.

The treatment, if required, is cutting through the tight piece of skin holding the tongue down. The area is usually numbed before this procedure is carried out. Older babies and adults may have to be put to sleep first (general anaesthesia).

If you disagree with your doctor about the treatment he has suggested, please seek a second opinion. Perhaps visiting a teaching hospital may present you with many options for qualified medical opinion

Have a good night, y’all 

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5 Germiest Things in Your Home You’re Forgetting to Clean!

Did you know your kitchen sponge may contain more bacteria than your toilet seat?

In this quick health explainer, Dr. Ketch reveals the hidden germ hotspots in your home that most people overlook every day.

From kitchen sponges and TV remotes to bathroom faucets, doorknobs, light switches, and shower curtains, these common household items can become breeding grounds for bacteria if they’re not cleaned properly.

In this video, you’ll learn:

Why kitchen sponges are bacteria magnets

The surprising danger of TV remotes

How bathroom faucets help spread germs

The dirtiest surfaces you’re touching daily

Simple cleaning tips to reduce infection risks at home

A few minutes of cleaning these hidden hotspots could make a big difference to your family’s health.

Tell us in the comments: Which of these germ havens surprised you the most?

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That Pain In Your Breast May Not Mean Cancer.

Your breast hurts. Your mind immediately goes to cancer. But what if that’s not the most likely cause?

Most breast pain is NOT cancer.

Common causes include:
Hormonal changes before your period
Breastfeeding-related infections (mastitis)
Breast abscesses
Certain medications
Non-cancerous breast lumps

See a doctor if:
• The pain lasts more than a few weeks
• It keeps getting worse
• It interferes with daily life
• It stays in one specific area

Early check and evaluation brings peace of mind and helps identify the real cause.

Listen to your breasts. Don’t ignore persistent pain.

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Itching That is Triggered By A Bath!

Q: Doc good evening. Please what is the remedy for body itching after bathing?

A: Thanks for your question. It is important to ensure that your bathroom is clean, the towels frequently washed and your sponge clean. However, the cause of your body itch may be something completely different.

That itch could be caused by skin that has been excessively dried out by soap, cold or dry air and/or hot baths. This causes the skin to lose the protection of its natural oils and makes the nerve endings to become super sensitive leading to the itching.

What to do? After a bath, try dabbing your skin so that it is still slightly moist before applying a moisturizing lotion that locks in the moisture. Drying your body completely aggravates the dryness and itching as this encourages more evaporation from your skin, more dryness and therefore more itching.

Lotions that contain glycerine, lactic acid and panthenol are very good. Body washes with moisturizers are also good for those with this problem, as they will not dry out your skin when you take a bath.

If the itching continues, however, please see your dermatologist to rule out other causes.

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When Does A ‘Normal’ Pregnancy Headache Become A Medical Emergency?

Last week Friday, 22nd of May 2026 was World Preeclampsia Day.

Q: Please Doc, what can be the cause of preeclampsia in pregnancy and how can one stop or avoid it for subsequent pregnancies?

A: Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy which is characterized by high blood pressure reading and signs of organ damage. A bit of background first….

Blood pressure readings are interpreted as same, pregnancy or no pregnancy. Any level more than 140/90mmHg is seen as hypertensive. A woman may already be hypertensive before pregnancy and on medication. She may be found to be hypertensive before the 20th week of pregnancy in which case it is believed she had previously undetected high blood pressure or she may be discovered to have high blood pressure after the 20th week, in which case it is believed that this high blood pressure is pregnancy-induced (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension: PIH). This would usually resolve within 6 weeks of having a baby. If a woman with PIH goes on to develop protein in urine, she is at risk of preeclampsia (in which protein leaks from kidneys into urine) or eclampsia (in which the woman experiences fits and seizures)

The risk of preeclampsia is higher in women who have had this condition in a previous pregnancy, first pregnancies, women who get pregnant after the age of 40 years, women who are obese and women with multiple pregnancies or those who have a long interval between babies (greater than 10 years) or short interval between babies (less than 2 years) etc

High blood pressure in pregnancy needs to be addressed as this poses a danger to both mother and baby. It may affect the flow of blood and nutrients to baby leading to slow growth or pre-term delivery. It may also lead to eclampsia or separation of placenta from the uterine wall before the baby is born.

Your doctor will determine the best course of action and may prescribe medications (to reduce blood pressure, or to even prepare your baby’s lungs for life outside the womb given the anticipation of preterm delivery), hospitalization to monitor you or delivery of the baby if the doctor believes the womb is now a hostile environment for the baby due to any of the dangers mentioned above.

There are varying thoughts about strategies thought to help prevent this condition. However, ensuring that risk factors are reduced by reducing weight, eating and living healthy may be helpful strategies.

Be sure to make your antenatal classes interactive. Ask your doctor questions about your health and indeed your blood pressure readings if they are cause for concern.

Have a great evening, y’all

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World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026!

Why should your period be a “secret” you feel you have to hide?

Today is World Menstrual Hygiene Day.

I’ve always wondered about people who snigger behind their hands whenever they see a girl/lady with period stains. There is nothing funny about periods. It’s neither a crime nor a shame. It’s just normal. The same way breathing is normal.

Let’s normalize talking about periods and ensure every girl child has access to menstrual hygiene products.

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