Ok, being a more natural blogger, this is one of my major concerns. At least one reader among all reader’s queries I get everyday ask me when will they see results or ask for home remedies on issues like eczema, psoriasis or hyperthyroidism. That attitude of people disturbed me a lot.
As a reader of the blog, I probably have assumed too much from you. So, this is a post to clear out those assumptions and make you more aware that this blog is merely a zeroth step when you face some issue whether it is skin or hair, in the least. If you have any issue which you think is beyond normal, you SHOULD immediately seek doctor’s advise.
Why? Let me tell you that some of the very minor skin or hair problems can also be treated as symptoms of something major problem in the body. For example, a small lump in the skin for a prolonged period or sudden appearance of too many brown spots on skin can mean that you should get yourself checked for cancer. Or, excess hair loss can lead to diagnosis of PCOD or thyroid or any other issue.
Ok, HOLD ON!! Don’t just run to the doctor right away. Please finish reading the post.
It is natural for a human being to exaggerate the minor-est of the symptoms. So, if you find yourself losing 30-40 hairs, please note it is quite NORMAL to lose up to 200 hairs everyday in this hectic lifestyle!! Oh yeah, you must be wondering why I am telling you this. Trust me, there are people who get concerned about even 15 hairs falling per day!
No, I am not making fun of you. I appreciate your concerns about yourself. But, it is very important to know WHEN to consult a doctor. Do NOT rely on home remedies when you already are aware of any serious problem in your body. That is why it is very important to get whole body checkups done every six months but once a year is also fine!
And, to answer the question I posed? Use the home remedies as a preventive measure than a curative measure. You can ask me a question now – Should I consult a doctor if I have regular acne because the medicines prescribed for acne are birth control pills? It is a very difficult question to answer. So, I would say yes. If your case is bad acne problem or if you regularly get cystic acne, it can be a result of hormonal problems. So, you can try out the home remedies for a limited period of time and if there is no change, I would definitely suggest a doctor.
And, when will the home remedies show results? Honestly, there is not guarantee that a particular remedy would work for you! It might work and it might not work. It might show results soon or it might take time. Its more of a chance than a surety. So, when you try a method, be positive and hope that it will show the effect but do not get disheartened if it does not. Also, when you are trying out a new remedy, always give it a month at least so that your skin or hair adjusts to it and gets some time to show the difference!
Dermatologists are not easy to get. Yes, absolutely TRUE! It is damn difficult to get a good dermatologist. At least I did not get one till date! And, many might not even have the money to spend on going to different doctors. So, what to do in such a case? I would say go to a good general physician or a family doctor and ask for their opinion. And, also beware of the fact that some of them have collaborations with the brands so they can suggest you really expensive medicines or products!
Should I use pharmaceutical brands? I will take a case to explain this. In case of acne, there are many drugstore products which have salicylic acid. Or, some anti-aging products have retinoids or such ingredients. Or, some people like taking supplements. Always remember that DO NOT take the supplements without consulting your doctor. It is not a good habit because excess of any vitamin can be equally harmful as its deficiency! Same way, do not use products which are supposed to be prescribed because you think it might work. Using over-the-counter products is a different deal, though! Also, changing products too frequently can cause skin sensitization which is equally harmful.
Do you agree with me? Do you also think that people should be aware of when to rely on home remedies and when to consult a doctor? And, do you prefer taking the supplements on your whim?
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This a must-read article! Thanks for posting Swati 🙂
thanks a lot Shylu for so much appreciation 🙂 and, I am glad you like my blog so much…you made my day 🙂
Perfect post, Swati. Something wrong with your hair or skin which is beyond normal means you need to consult a doctor. Of course, there is no guarantee that the doctor will give too much attention to something like hair loss.
Take my example. I have had severe hair loss for 4 years now. I consulted my general physician, who is a very good doctor in general. He prescribed some special hair oil and also some vitamins. This didnt have any effect on my hair loss. Me, being me, I started googling on the causes and cures of hair loss and foods required for hair growth. This started me thinking on whether I am deficient in some nutrients? So I went to doctor and told him I want to do all the tests possible for Vitamins and proteins and all. And the result – I am severely deficient in Vitamin D. So I have taken injections and am on Vitamin D and calcium supplements, recommended by my doctor.
This has not stopped my hair fall though it has reduced a bit. Possibly I am still deficient in Vitamin D and maybe something else. I will be having another round of tests soon (approximately 9 months after the first tests).
I had commented previously here that even doctors are not fool proof. You need to research and ask questions of your doctor. Though this does not mean that you read some things and think you are an expert. In the end, the doctor is the expert – but these days doctors need to be prodded into action. They usually try to cure the symptom rather than the cause.
http://everythingthatclicks.blogspot.com
you are so right Rosh…yup, doctors these days are really not that reliable!! thanks for the idea…i shall do a post on how to find a good doctor 😀
Hi Swati, so my much-looked-forward-to post is here! Written very well!! 🙂
This post is very much what applies to life in general- know what to do, how much to do and when to stop! 😀
Best regards,
Pallavi
hi Pallavi…thank you so much 🙂