You may want to see a dermatologist when you have one of these to render a definite diagnosis. However, one of the possibilities certainly can be related to your hypertension and obesity. This can be an impending sign of worsening circulation in your lower legs which will only likely worsen over time. The sooner this is dealt with the less difficulty you will have with the condition.   « less

If you are interested in doing something, I would strongly recommend going to a skin care center. Over-the-counter products are very limited as to their effectiveness. The products sold at these places often are more competitive price-wise than some of these over-the-counter products and much more effective. Also, many centers do have free consultation regarding this. We have centers both at St. Mary's North and Farragut along with the main St. Mary's hospital which can provide this service for you.   « less

There are different types of facial cysts. Some are inflammatory cysts which can resolve spontaneously. Others are epithelial inclusion cysts which usually will not resolve without removal. Some severe inflammatory cysts as in cystic acne will scar in of itself. Removal of lesions also has potential to scar the skin. With regards to prevention, there are many medicines that help to prevent the development of cysts. The most effective of these are all prescription.   « less

First, I want to go over the first and second line of therapies before covering Infliximab. Smoking cessation and optimal diabetic control are very improvement in this disease. The next line of therapies are intralesional and topical steroids, after that systemic steroids, aspirin, Dipyridamole, Ticlopidine, Nicotinamide, Clofazimine, topical PUVA. Finally, third line therapies include many agents from Ciclosporin, Chloroquine, CellCept, Becaplermin specifically for ulceration along with Infliximab. There are now several reports of Infliximab to use for necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum in the literature regarding necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum; however, these are not case controlled studies and therefore it is difficult to comment further than the individual reports which report a rapid response to the treatment.    « less

First, I want to go over the first and second line of therapies before covering Infliximab. Smoking cessation and optimal diabetic control are very improvement in this disease. The next line of therapies are intralesional and topical steroids, after that systemic steroids, aspirin, Dipyridamole, Ticlopidine, Nicotinamide, Clofazimine, topical PUVA. Finally, third line therapies include many agents from Ciclosporin, Chloroquine, CellCept, Becaplermin specifically for ulceration along with Infliximab. There are now several reports of Infliximab to use for necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum in the literature regarding necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum; however, these are not case controlled studies and therefore it is difficult to comment further than the individual reports which report a rapid response to the treatment.    « less

Hydrocortisone 1% over-the-counter is usually very helpful for postinflammatory changes such as you describe. Hidradenitis is not felt to be a contagious condition; however, similar type lesions can be caused some bacteria that certainly could be contagious.   « less

I would certainly consider removal of the area. We like to avoid surgery when possible, but sometimes it is not possible and given the chronicity of this problem it sounds like a reasonable alternative.   « less

If there is no scar in this area the hair should regrow. Vitamins allow hair to grow faster, sometimes either an injection of an antiinflammatory in the area or a topical antiinflammatory will also allow the hair to regrow faster.   « less

Proscar and Propecia are the exact chemical with two different trade names. The difference is the amount. Propecia is a 1 mg; Proscar is a 5 mg. Therefore, if you can accurately quarter Proscar you are getting the same drug, just 0.25 mg higher concentration.   « less