Pimples & scars on skin & brittle dry hair

HI..  I m 28 n my pimples never stopped uptil now..    My hormones level is ok..   I feel its related with my stomach problems.. Like whenever i have gas problem in stomach i have pimples..   My hair is also  very dry & they split in ends. Along with hair fall problem..   I have dandruff, N my hair break easily from ends...   Pimples have left my skin with scars...    I don't know what to do..  Is it due to some deficiency.. If yes What tests will prove it..   Recently recovered from chicken pox too..   Worried as feel scars , it left r going to b darker soon...   Please somebody help...  

[amy12382]

Pimples & Marks:
              I m 28 n my pimples never stopped uptil now..    My hormones level is ok..   I feel its related with my stomach problems.. Like whenever i have gas problem in stomach i have pimples..  Whenever i eat ground nut, or other dry fruits..  I have pimples.. last year i took  carrot juice daily which realy cleared my skin that time.. Can't understand what is the matter..  Pimples have left my skin with scars...

   Period problem..
                           I have periods problem too.. My periods r regular but i bleed very less..  & my cycle keeps on changing as well.. 32, 26, 34, 28 days....is cycle for last four months ..5 or 6 years back i used to bleed for 5 -6 days..  But now only 1 -2 days n very low...  Doctors checked hormones.. its ok..  My ultrasound scan is ok..   Blood test shows My HB level is ok..  No thyroid problem...    

Hair problems:
  My hair is also  very dry & Brittle.. they split in ends. Along with hair fall problem..   I have dandruff, N my hair break very easily from like end (break almost 1 inch from end when i brush)...      I don't know what to do..  Is it due to some deficiency.. If yes What tests will prove it..  

  Chicken pox scars:
          Recently recovered from chicken pox( diagnosed 3 weeks ago)  too..   Worried as I feel , the scars  it left r going to b darker soon...don't know how to treat these..   Please help...  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
For the skin and hair issues and the periods problems that you are having, two important possibilities which need to be ruled out are thyroid disease and PCOS (polycystic ovarian disease). Both can cause pimples, acne, dry skin and brittle hair. Hence get your thyroid profile done. For PCOS, you can get tests like 2 hr GTT, serum androgen and testosterone levels, LH-FSH ratio, prolactin levels, TSH levels,17-hydroxyprogesterone levels  and 3D ultrasound uterus done.

Secondly dandruff itself can cause clogging of pores and hence flaring up of acne. Try medicated shampoos for dandruff. There are a number of over-the-counter shampoos available that can help. The most effective ingredients -- antimicrobials -- to look for are zinc pyridinethione, selenium sulfide, sulfur and ketoconazole (also available by prescription).

Regarding acne, treatment of oral antibiotics, contraceptive pills, retinoids, cortisone injections, chemical peels and laser treatment can be your choices.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.