Healthland Pharmacy

COMMON SKIN RASHES AND HOW TO IDENTIFY THEM

PCOS/PMOS AND SEMAGLUTIDE

Question from the audience:
Les femmes atteintes du SOPK/SMOP peuvent le prendre svp?

Can women with PCOS take it?

Yes, a woman with PCOS can, in certain circumstances, use semaglutide (Ozempic), particularly if she also has type 2 diabetes for which this treatment is indicated.

Medications from the GLP-1 receptor agonist family, including semaglutide, may also be beneficial for some women with PCOS who are overweight or living with obesity, helping with weight loss and improvements in certain metabolic parameters, including insulin resistance. However, Ozempic is not specifically indicated as a treatment for PCOS itself.

The decision to use this treatment should therefore be made on an individual basis following an appropriate medical assessment.

One very important point: semaglutide should not be used during pregnancy. Effective contraception is recommended while taking the medication, and semaglutide should be stopped at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy.

Des patients diabétiques signalent une perte de vision liée à un traitement, entraînant une plainte pour tromperie aggravée.

Hair Fall: Causes & Management

Hair fall is common and can happen due to genetics, hormones, stress, illness, nutritional deficiencies, scalp disease, or certain medicines. The pattern and sp*ed of hair loss often help identify the cause.

🟣 Common Causes

➟ Androgenetic alopecia → hereditary male- or female-pattern hair loss

➟ Telogen effluvium → diffuse shedding after stress, fever, surgery, childbirth, rapid weight loss, or illness

➟ Iron deficiency, low vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, or inadequate protein intake

➟ Thyroid disorders

➟ PCOS or other hormonal problems

➟ Autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata

➟ Scalp infections, dandruff, psoriasis, or fungal infection

➟ Tight hairstyles, frequent heat styling, or chemical treatments

➟ Certain medicines can also trigger hair shedding

🟣 Common Signs

➟ Increased hair on the pillow, comb, or during washing

➟ Widening of the central part or thinning over the crown

➟ Receding hairline

➟ Smooth round bald patches

➟ Broken hairs or scalp scaling

➟ Reduced hair density or visible scalp

🟣 When Hair Fall Is More Concerning

➟ Sudden or rapidly increasing hair loss

➟ Patchy bald areas

➟ Scalp redness, pain, itching, or scarring

➟ Hair loss with irregular periods, excess facial hair, or acne

➟ Hair fall with weight loss, severe fatigue, or other systemic symptoms

🟣 Diagnosis

➟ A dermatologist may examine the scalp and hair pattern

➟ Blood tests may include CBC, ferritin, TSH, vitamin B12, and vitamin D, depending on symptoms

➟ Hormonal tests may be needed if PCOS or androgen excess is suspected

➟ Scalp tests or biopsy may occasionally be required

🟣 Management

➟ Treat the underlying cause whenever possible

➟ Correct confirmed iron or vitamin deficiencies

➟ Eat enough protein and follow a balanced diet

➟ Avoid very tight hairstyles and excessive heat or chemical damage

➟ Treat scalp infections or inflammation appropriately

➟ Minoxidil may help male- and female-pattern hair loss in suitable patients

➟ Other medicines such as finasteride or anti-androgen treatments may be used in selected patients under medical supervision

🟣 Hair-Care Tips

➟ Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner

➟ Avoid vigorous brushing when hair is wet

➟ Reduce repeated straightening, bleaching, or high-heat styling

➟ Manage stress and maintain good sleep

🟣 When to Seek Medical Help

➟ Hair loss lasts more than a few months

➟ Bald patches or scarring appear

➟ Hair loss is rapidly worsening

➟ The scalp becomes painful, inflamed, or infected

➟ Hair loss occurs with other hormonal or nutritional symptoms

Medical disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Persistent, patchy, rapidly worsening, or scarring hair loss should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist.

“Mo’nn arrête mange du riz, mo mange dipain astère…”

Reducing sugar intake does not mean eliminating all carbohydrates or avoiding naturally occurring sugars in whole fruits and milk. The priority should be to reduce added and free sugars

A simple and very practical message for patients suffering from diabetes mellitus, overweight/obesity and for the public in general:

• Stop or markedly reduce sugary drinks such as soft drinks- cola, juices- certainly all that are being sold on the island, energy drinks, sweetened iced tea and cordial (sirop in French)
• Drink water as the main beverage.
• Avoid adding sugar to tea and coffee - reduce gradually if stopping suddenly is difficult.
• Choose whole fruit instead of fruit juice - even 100% fruit juice contains substantial free sugar.
• Reduce cakes, biscuits, pastries, sweets, chocolates and desserts.
• Limit sweetened breakfast cereals; choose oats or unsweetened/high-fibre cereals instead.
• Choose plain yoghurt rather than flavoured/sweetened yoghurt - add fresh fruit for sweetness.
• Check food labels while shopping - compare products and choose those with less sugar.
• Look for hidden sugars in sauces, ketchup, chutneys, salad dressings, cereals and processed foods.
• Be aware of different names for sugar - glucose, fructose, sucrose, dextrose, maltose, syrup, honey, molasses, etc.
• Reduce sugar gradually when cooking/baking - many recipes work perfectly well with considerably less sugar.
• Do not assume honey, brown sugar, jaggery or maple syrup are healthier alternatives - they are still free sugars.
• Choose unsweetened milk rather than flavoured milk or milkshakes.
• Avoid routinely giving children sweet drinks and sweets as rewards.
• Keep sugary foods as occasional treats rather than everyday foods.
• Eat more minimally processed foods - vegetables, whole grains, pulses, nuts, eggs, fish and lean meats naturally contain little or no added sugar.
• Don't replace sugar with excessive refined starch - reducing sugar works best as part of an overall healthy diet.
• Make changes gradually and sustainably - the palate adapts, and foods that initially taste less sweet become normal over time.

A simple message for patients:
“Don’t drink your sugar, don’t add sugar unnecessarily, and choose foods that are naturally less sweet.”

La HAS rappelle que la rétinopathie, touchant un patient diabétique sur cinq, peut être évitée par des conseils adaptés.

🔥 STOP! BEFORE YOU MIX VITAMIN C WITH ANY OTHER ACTIVE, READ THIS!

Vitamin C can pair well with several skincare actives—but the right combination depends on your skin concern, tolerance, and routine.

1️⃣ Dullness & Uneven Tone
Vitamin C + Niacinamide → Brightening + barrier support.

2️⃣ Pigmentation
Vitamin C + Alpha Arbutin → Helps target uneven pigmentation.

3️⃣ Hydration & Barrier
Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides → Supports hydration and the skin barrier.

4️⃣ Antioxidant Support
Vitamin C + Vitamin E + Ferulic Acid → A well-studied antioxidant combination.

5️⃣ Redness & Pigmentation
Vitamin C + Azelaic Acid → May be useful, but introduce carefully if your skin is sensitive.

⚠️ Remember: You don’t need to use all of these together. Start slowly and choose what fits your skin.

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Back pain -- whether a dull ache or shooting -- is just one sign that something's going on with your back. You may also have radiating pain, numbness, tingling, weakness in your legs or arms. Uncontrolled p*eing or pooping, or inability to p*e, and muscle weakness could mean a serious problem like spinal cord compression. Call your doctor right away! https://wb.md/4fKEuNc