According to MSc.BS Phan Ngoc Huy, Department of Dermatology, Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital, there are 5 groups of issues that people need to pay special attention to.
First, the mole has abnormal signs. People need to pay attention when the mole is asymmetic, the edges are uneven, the color is not uniform, the diameter gradually increases by about 6 mm or changes rapidly in size, shape, and color. Symptoms such as itching, pain, bleeding or ulcers that take a long time to heal are also signs that need to be checked.
According to Dr. Huy, this may be a sign of skin cancer. People should not self-burn moles or use skin peeling products at home, but need to go to a medical facility for examination and evaluation.
The second group is severe allergies and widespread skin infections. Signs such as systemic rashes, lesions in the eyes, mouth or genitals, facial edema, shortness of breath, peeling skin, or severe fatigue may be related to severe drug allergies, requiring timely medical treatment.
For diseases such as cellulomyelitis, zona, widespread fungal infections or skin infections, improper self-treatment can also make the disease worse. A common mistake is self-medicating with corticosteroid creams. This active ingredient can temporarily reduce inflammation and itching, but if used on skin infected with fungus, viruses or parasites, it can cause the disease to spread, and alter the manifestation of the disease and make diagnosis difficult.
Invasive cosmetic procedures should also not be performed on their own. According to Dr. Huy, injecting fillers, botulinum toxins, mesotherapy or products advertised as "whitening injections" are all techniques that need to be performed by professionals at licensed facilities.
If performed incorrectly or using unsafe products, patients may experience complications such as infection, vascular blockage, tissue damage, and even serious effects on vision in some cases.
For severe acne, melasma and freckles, people should also not treat them themselves. Inflammatory acne and cystic acne that are self-squeezed can easily cause infection and leave scars. Severe cases of acne may require oral or topical medication according to a doctor's regimen to control the disease and limit scar formation.
Meanwhile, mixed creams advertised as "express whitening" may contain harmful ingredients if used uncontrollably, making the skin thin and weak, irritated, and making melasma worse.
Finally, chronic skin diseases or autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, lupus. These are diseases that need to be monitored and treated for a long time. Patients should not arbitrarily use creams with unknown ingredients or prolonged corticosteroids because they can cause side effects and make the disease difficult to control.
Dr. Huy recommends that people should see a dermatologist if skin lesions are widespread, lasting for more than 1-2 weeks, recurrent many times or accompanied by symptoms such as fever, swelling, heat, redness, and gradually increasing pain. Identifying the correct cause before treatment helps limit complications and avoid prolonged illness due to improper self-treatment.
