Bod Squad
I get pit stains. I shower daily and use strong deodorant.
Yet, I have stains before second period. Help!
As if you don’t have enough to worry about in puberty, right? Excessive sweating is called hyperhidrosis. According to guidelines from the International Hyperhidrosis Society, you know you have it if your sweating is embarrassing, depressing or prevents you from doing things.
“Most people don’t even tell their best friends,” says Dr. Doris Day, spokesperson for the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and a dermasurgeon in New York City. She recommends an over-the-counter product containing a deodorant and antiperspirant (try Certain Dri, drugstore.com). If that doesn’t work, a dermo can help you with this problem.
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BY CAITLIN R. ON 10/21/2009 7:00:00 AM 82 COMMENTS
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I get brown clumps on my pad during my period, and it freaks me out!
What’s wrong?
Nothing like brown clumps to remind you that periods are, well, icky! But relax—you’re fine. When a girl’s flow is in full force, it tends to be red. But when it slows down, it becomes brown from air exposure.
Plus, your uterus is self-cleaning, so when you menstruate you shed its lining. That means clumps and clots are not only OK, they’re part of the process.
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BY CAITLIN R. ON 10/14/2009 7:00:00 AM 94 COMMENTS
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I have odd flaky stuff all over my scalp, kind of like dandruff. If I pick at it, it bleeds.
It can really be annoying and embarrassing.
Just about everybody has an occasional snow drift, but according to Dr. Erin M. Welch, assistant professor of dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, some people have more extreme conditions, like seborrheic dermatitis, which involves extensive flaking.
Another common condition is psoriasis, which can cause flaky, irritated skin. If you’ve tried over-the-counter dandruff shampoos (like Selsun Blue), and haven’t seen an improvement, go to a dermo for a prescription shampoo or med. You can shake the flakes!
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BY CAITLIN R. ON 10/7/2009 7:00:00 AM 91 COMMENTS
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I sleepwalk almost every night. I never remember it, but my mom tells me about it. Sometimes, I do weird things or even fall.
How can I stop?
Rest assured, sleepwalking is common—17 percent of kids do it! You’ll likely outgrow it, and there’s usually no harm. “Often, sleepwalkers do things like turning on a light, getting dressed or using the bathroom,” says Dr. Mary S. Esther, medical director, Sleep Center at SouthPark, Charlotte, N.C. Be sure your house is safe for your nighttime strolls.
But since you fall? “If the sleepwalker could be injured, your doctor can refer you to a sleep specialist,” says Dr. Esther. “Sometimes medications are used to decrease the number of events or their severity. Also, sleepwalking occurs most often if you are sleep-deprived.” So talk to your mom about seeing a doc, and meantime, don’t let it keep you up at night!
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BY CAITLIN R. ON 9/30/2009 7:00:00 AM 99 COMMENTS
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