My menstrual pains •Rashes on my buttocks

My menstrual pains
I have been having menstrual pains for a long time. Please, I need your help.
Sakirat (by SMS)

Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea or period pains, can be caused by several factors such as endometriosis – the tissue that lines the uterus develops outside the uterus. Uterine fibroids – noncancerous tumors and growths in the wall of the uterus adenomyosis – the tissue that lines your uterus grows into the muscular walls of the uterus. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – a sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacterium. Cervical stenosis – the opening of the cervix is small and limits menstrual flow. It is, therefore, important for you to undergo a thorough medical examination in order to know the cause of your painful menses so that the attending doctor will know how to treat you.

Rashes on my buttocks

I have rashes on my buttocks and even on my private part. I have used all kinds of medications in both the native and conventional ways without any improvement. Please help me as I am tired of the disease.
Gladys (by SMS)

Rashes on the buttocks can be due to many causes such as Scabies, worms as well as sexually transmitted diseases. To make a correct diagnosis of any kind of rashes requires that a doctor to examine the rashes with naked eyes. That way, the kind of medication that will adequately cure the rashes can be identified.

My mother’s addiction to tobacco

My 70-year-old mother is addicted to tobacco that is grounded with potash (taba). She always puts a pinch on her tongue several times a day before spitting out the debris after a while. Apart from the smelly brownish spit which she produces every day, her tongue has been blackened by the black stuff. Every effort to make her stop the habit has failed. Kindly help.

Onoje (by SMS)

Any form of addiction be it to tobacco, alcohol or marijuana is always difficult to stop. However, you need to firmly explain to your mother that apart from tobacco, the potash in her ‘taba’ is very harmful to her tongue and body. You can also help her to get a harmless replacement for the ‘taba’ such as chewing gum or peppermint. With these efforts, she will stop the habit sooner or later.

Eczema on my face

I am 37 years old. I have been having eczema on my face for a very long time. All efforts to remove it have been unsuccessful. I need your help.

Okoye (by E SMS)

Eczema is “a general term for any superficial inflammatory process involving the skin primarily, marked early by redness, itching, minute papules and vesicles, weeping, oozing and crusting. The specific cause of eczema remains unknown, but it is believed to develop due to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. Some of the things you can do to help control your eczema include a daily skin care routine made up of frequent washing of the face with soap followed by the use of anti-eczema creams which can be purchased across the counter. It is also good to avoid and reduce any form of stressful situation. Equally important is the reduction of the frequency of scratching and rubbing of the skin as well as limiting contact with materials or substances that may irritate your skin. Dress in soft, breathable clothing and avoid itchy fabrics like wool, that can further irritate your eczema.

Is this epilepsy?

I live in a ‘face-me-I face-you’ apartment. A few days ago, my neighbour’s younger brother had a fit in the corridor and was twitching and foaming from the mouth. He even urinated on himself. Some people said that what the boy had was epilepsy and that we should pack out of the house to avoid contracting the disease. Please, I need your advice.
Oluseye (by SMS)

From your description, what the boy has is most likely epilepsy.
However, contrary to the belief that the disease is contagious, epilepsy is not. Therefore, there won’t be any need for you pack out of the house. What you should do will be to advise your neighbour to take his brother to hospital. With proper care, epilepsy even though cannot be cured, can be well controlled.