Dear Barbara,
I keep getting a hard lump on my lower back. I’m not sure what it is and it’s a little painful. It usually bursts after a few weeks but I really would like to stop it recurring. Any tips?
— Nishant Bhatt, Fort
Dear Nishant,
What you have dear, is called a cyst. Cysts are balloonlike structures with sturdy membranes containing liquids, semisolids, or even gases. Cysts are seldom dangerous and you’ll need a professional to help you out. One option is to lance the cyst. Here a doctor cuts and drains the cyst, which then must be covered with sterile bandages and treated with antibiotics.
Dear Barbara,
I am extremely prone to freckles and I hate wearing makeup to cover them up. How do i prevent myself from them?
— Preetika Nair, Kurla
Dear Preetika,
First of all, wear your freckles with pride! But if you are that self conscious about them, wear sunglasses and protective clothing while outdoors. Avoid sun exposure from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. Since freckles are caused by sun exposure, apply a sunscreen of at least SPF 15, preferably 30 minutes before going outdoors.
Dear Barbara,
I’ve just moved to Mumbai from the north and I’m not getting used to the heat rashes. Any tips on helping me cool down?
— Mansi Iyer, Dadar
Dear Mansi,
You can prevent heat rash by wearing loose-fitting clothing. Refrain from activities that cause excessive perspiration and stay in an air-conditioned environment or use fans to keep cool. Take frequent cool showers and avoid powders and creams.
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