Dr J Family & Skin Care

21/10/2025

Every thing about prostate cancer

🧠 Understanding Prostate Cancer – What Every Man Should KnowProstate cancer is the most common cancer in men over 50 — but early detection can save lives.In...

14/10/2025

Check out Dr J’s video.

14/10/2025

Febrile Convulsions

13/10/2025

Viral Fever in Children👨‍⚕️

12/09/2025

🌿 Understanding Acne: Causes & Triggers 🌿

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions — and it can affect people of all ages, not just teenagers.

🔹 Why does acne happen?
Acne develops when pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria. During puberty, hormones called androgens enlarge oil glands, leading to more oil production and clogged pores.

🔹 Who can get acne?
✅ Teenagers – very common due to hormonal changes.
✅ Newborns – about 20% develop temporary neonatal acne.
✅ Infants (3–6 months) – rare but can cause deep nodules.
✅ Adults (especially women over 25) – many continue to have breakouts, while some develop acne for the first time later in life.

🔹 What makes acne worse?
⚡ Stress – doesn’t cause acne, but can worsen it.
🚬 Smoking – linked to more severe acne in women.
🍔 Diet & lifestyle – oily makeup, greasy hair products, lack of sleep, and certain foods can trigger flare-ups.

🔹 Family link
If one or both parents had severe acne, the risk of developing it is higher.

✨ The good news: Almost every case of acne can be treated successfully today. With the right skincare, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medical treatment, clearer skin is possible.

💡 Tip: If acne is leaving scars or affecting confidence, see a dermatologist early — treatment can make a big difference.

11/09/2025

🧠 Understanding Childhood Headaches – A Guide for Parents 🧠

Headaches are fairly common in children and adolescents. While most are mild and temporary, some may signal an underlying issue that requires medical attention. As parents, it’s important to know when to be reassured and when to seek help.

✅ Common Causes of Childhood Headaches

Lifestyle factors: poor sleep, dehydration, skipping meals, prolonged screen time, or eye strain.

Stress and emotions: school pressures, exams, or social worries may cause tension-type headaches.

Migraines: children can develop migraines just like adults. These may cause throbbing pain, nausea, light/sound sensitivity, and sometimes tummy pain.

Other causes: viral infections (such as colds or flu), sinus infections, or vision problems.

🚨 Red Flag Symptoms – When to Seek Urgent Medical Advice

Take your child to a doctor promptly if they have:

A sudden, severe (“thunderclap”) headache.

Headaches that wake them from sleep.

Associated symptoms: vomiting, fever, stiff neck, vision changes.

Headaches after a head injury.

New neurological symptoms (weakness, difficulty speaking, seizures, or loss of balance).

A clear change in the pattern, frequency, or severity of headaches.

👉 Even if none of these red flags are present, you should still see a doctor if headaches interfere with school, sleep, or daily life.

📝 Practical Tips for Parents

Keep a headache diary: track timing, duration, triggers (foods, activities, stress, sleep patterns).

Encourage healthy habits: good hydration, balanced meals, and regular sleep routines.

Manage screen time: take regular breaks to reduce eye strain.

Support stress relief: relaxation exercises, outdoor play, mindfulness, and downtime during study.

👩‍⚕️ Reassurance for Parents

Most headaches in children are not serious. However, if they keep coming back, feel different from usual, or are accompanied by worrying symptoms, it’s best to have them checked by a healthcare professional.

28/08/2025

🦠 Understanding Ear Fungal Infections in Children (Otomycosis)

Ear fungal infections, known as otomycosis, are common in children and can cause discomfort and concern. Here's what parents need to know:

🧠 What Is Otomycosis?

Otomycosis is a fungal infection of the outer ear canal. It's more prevalent in tropical climates like Sri Lanka, especially during the monsoon and swimming seasons. The infection is typically caused by fungi such as Aspergillus and Candida.

🚨 Symptoms to Watch For

Persistent itching or pain in the ear
Redness or swelling of the ear canal
Discharge that may be white, yellow, or black
Feeling of fullness or muffled hearing
Flaky or scaly skin around the ear
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

🧪 Common Causes & Risk Factors

Excess moisture from swimming or bathing
Using cotton swabs or inserting objects into the ear
Skin conditions like eczema affecting the ear canal
Recent use of antibiotics or steroids
Weakened immune system due to illness or medication

🩺 Treatment Options

Consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. Treatment may include:
Antifungal ear drops (e.g., clotrimazole, fluconazole)
Cleaning the ear canal to remove debris
Oral antifungal medications for severe cases
Pain relievers to alleviate discomfort

🛡️ Prevention Tips

Keep ears dry and clean; avoid inserting objects into the ear canal
Dry ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing
Avoid overuse of antibiotics unless prescribed
Regularly check for signs of ear infections, especially during humid seasons

📞 When to Seek Medical Attention

If your child experiences persistent ear pain, discharge, or hearing issues, consult a healthcare provider promptly. Early treatment can prevent complications and promote faster recovery.

💡 Parent Tip

Educate your child about the importance of ear hygiene and the risks of inserting objects into the ear canal. Encourage them to keep ears dry and clean to prevent infections.

24/08/2025

🌿 Eczema – The Itchy Skin Condition You Can Control

Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) is a common skin condition that makes your skin dry, itchy, and sometimes red or cracked.
The good news? With the right care, you can keep flare-ups under control. 💪

1️⃣ Keep Your Skin Moist

Apply moisturizer (cream or ointment, not lotion) at least twice a day – even when your skin looks fine.

After a bath, pat dry and moisturize straight away to lock in moisture.

Use fragrance-free products whenever possible.

2️⃣ Bathing Tips

Use lukewarm water (not hot)

Keep it short – 5 to 10 minutes

Use mild, soap-free cleansers

Moisturize immediately after your bath

3️⃣ Calm the Inflammation

During flare-ups, your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream or ointment.

Apply exactly as advised – it’s safe when used correctly.

For sensitive areas (like the face), there are non-steroid creams your doctor might recommend.

4️⃣ Avoid Triggers

Every person’s triggers are different, but some common ones include:

Wool or rough clothing

Harsh soaps or detergents

Dust, pollen, or pets

Stress or lack of sleep

Sudden changes in weather

Keeping a symptom diary can help you figure out what sets off your eczema.

5️⃣ Don’t Scratch – Soothe Instead

Scratching makes it worse. Try:

Cool compresses

Moisturizing instead of scratching

Keeping nails short

Wearing cotton gloves at night if you scratch in your sleep

6️⃣ When to See a Doctor

If your skin is weeping, oozing, or very painful (could be an infection)

If your usual treatments are not working

If eczema is affecting your sleep or daily life

💡 Remember

Eczema can’t be “cured”, but with the right daily routine and help from your GP, you can keep your skin healthy and your symptoms in check.

23/08/2025

🔥 First Aid for Burns – What You Should Do Immediately

Burns are common in Sri Lankan homes — from hot water, oil splashes, or even firecrackers.
What you do in the first few minutes can make a huge difference in healing and scarring.

✅ What to DO

Cool the burn right away – Hold the burned area under cool running water for at least 20 minutes.
Remove jewellery or tight clothing near the area — swelling can trap them.
Cover the burn with a clean, non-fluffy cloth or cling film to protect it.
Give paracetamol if there’s pain.

Seek medical help for:

Burns bigger than a 10-rupee coin
Burns on face, hands, feet, or ge****ls
Children, elderly, or diabetic patients

❌ What NOT to DO
❌ Don’t apply toothpaste, butter, oil, turmeric, or powder.
❌ Don’t pop blisters — they protect the skin underneath.
❌ Don’t use ice or very cold water — it can damage skin more.

⚠️ Go to Hospital IMMEDIATELY if:
The burn is deep or spreading.
There are signs of infection (redness, pus, fever).
The person is struggling to breathe (smoke inhalation).

Quick Tip:
Early cooling and proper care reduce pain, infection risk, and scarring.

👨‍⚕️ Dr J | The Everyday GP
Helping you handle everyday emergencies the safe way.