Dr. Rachel Herschenfeld's practice is based in Wellesley, Massachusetts. After graduating from Harvard Medical School, she completed residencies in Internal Medicine and Dermatology, then joined two other dermatologists to found Dermatology Partners, Inc. Dr. Herschenfeld is board certified in Dermatology, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Herschenfeld performs cosmetic procedures including Botox, Restylane, collagen, Sculptra, and laser treatments for many conditions.
Dr. Rachael Herschenfeld is a practicing dermatologist. Her answers here should not replace medical advice. To submit a question, e-mail skincare@washingtonpost.com. We reserve the right to edit submitted questions for length and clarity and cannot guarantee that all questions will be answered.
In the winter, my husband's knuckles and fingers get bright red, dry and start to crack. He seems to need to put lotion on constantly, which helps a little with the dryness, but does nothing for the redness. Is there anything else he can try?
- M.D.
- M.D.
It sounds like this man has hand dermatitis, which often is worse in the winter. When the air gets colder and dryer, the skin also dries out and dermatitis usually gets worse. Moisturizing is an essential part of treating this condition, but I would recommend a good moisturizing cream, rather than a lotion. Some good creams for dry hands include Cerave moisturizing cream and Aquaphor Healing Ointment. In addition to moisturizing, it is important to avoid harsh chemicals that can make hand dermatitis worse. This includes detergents and dishwashing liquids, so it is helpful to wear gloves while doing household chores such as washing dishes. Also, many people with hand dermatitis benefit from using topical steroids or other topical anti-inflammatory medications, so a visit to your dermatologist would make sense.
Theoretically, isn't it possible to "reverse" hair loss by replacing the hormones and/or vitamins, minerals, amino acids which have been diminished through aging? Also, is there any supplement that can help prevent hair follicles from "releasing" the hairs in over-abundance?
- C.W.
- C.W.
I am losing hair and have been diagnosed with telogen effluvium. I have also been diagnosed with alopecia due to a bald patch. After the dermatologist diagnosed me, a homeopathic doctor suggested I take three doses a day of Vitamin C (500 mg each time) and a 25 mg dose of Zinc once per day. Do you think these supplements may help? Could they harm me if I begin them?
- S.J.
- S.J.
Hair loss is a complicated problem and can be caused by many different processes, some of which I discussed in my last column. Hair loss associated with aging is not simply due to loss of hormones, vitamins, minerals or amino acids, and it cannot be easily reversed with vitamin supplements. Telogen effluvium, in which many hairs are shed simultaneously, often after a severe illness or stressful event, likewise cannot be prevented by any known supplement. There is no good evidence that taking vitamin C and Zinc supplements will reverse telogen effluvium or other types of hair loss, although taking these supplements is unlikely to cause harm. Telogen effluvium usually improves on its own after six months or a year, and age-associated hair loss can often improve with use of topical minoxidil and oral finasteride (Propecia), which is available by prescription.
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