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May 1, 2008 10:23 pm US/Eastern
Health Issues You Shouldn't Be Afraid To Ask About
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Uncommonly strong body odors might be a sign of other health problems.
Ryan Galaviz
Bad breath, bikini rashes, foot odor, and flatulence. These are problems so embarrassing most people don't even talk to their doctors about them. But University of Miami dermatologist Dr. Leslie Baumann says people should.
"Remember we hear these questions all the time, and we're not embarrassed, bring them up," said Dr. Bauman.
Are you sweating too much? It might be a condition called hyperhidrosis.
"There is a great treatment for it right now, which is Botox," Baumann suggests.
The wrinkle wonder-drug paralyzes sweat glands, and one treatment can stop the sweat for 6 months.
Have you had a baby? What about stretch marks? The rapid weight changes of pregnancy commonly cause them, and prescription creams or lasers can help clear them up, but Baumann says you have to act fast.
"When stretch marks are purple, you can treat them," she says. "But once they get white, there is really not anything that you can do. So you want to hurry up, don't procrastinate and treat them when they're new."
And let's clear up another beach beauty problem: The bikini line rash. It's similar to acne, where skin bacteria infect the hair follicles.
"So after getting waxed," Dr. Baumann says "If you put on an acne medication within 24-hours, that should prevent it."
Most cases of foot odor are caused by sweat and bacteria too.
"The bacteria and the perspiration causes the odor," Dr. Jerald Carmel says. He's a podiatrist at Mount Sinai Hospital.
He recommends keeping your feet dry, and in socks and shoes that allow air to breathe.
Speaking of breathing, do you have bad breath? While it can be due to food or poor dental hygiene, Mount Sinai gastroenterologist Dr. Jamie Barkin says if it's chronic, it might be something else.
"So we've learned that bacteria in the wrong place in the colon can cause bad breath, and can be treated with antibiotics," he says.
Passing gas is literally bacterial backfire too. Bacteria in our colons ferment leftover starches. So check your diet. You may be eating too much fiber and carbohydrates.
"You're giving the bacteria an opportunity to take what you eat, ferment it, and cause gas," Dr. Barkin says.
If you have bumps on the back of the arms and legs, you might have a condition called keratosis pilaris. Some cases are genetic, but usually the bumps are due to dry skin and friction of clothing.
Dr. Baumann recommends a good moisturizer, "Using a good moisturizer twice a day will help in many cases."
Finally, spider veins. On the legs, closure procedures work well, but on the face different treatments are needed.
"Those can be treated with a laser, or IPL, intense pulsed light," Dr. Baumann says. She adds that with so many simple solutions out there, the real problem is asking, "Many of these problems have quick and easy solutions, so why not ask your doctor?"
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