Q My 22 months old boy still has anterior fontanelle open. Is it a concern

In most cases anterior fontanelle closes between the age of 7-19 months. Delay in closure can be due to causes like premature birth, intrauterine growth retardation, downs syndrome, etc. I would suggest that you get your child examined by a pediatrician to rule any abnormality.

Q What is spermicide?

Spermicide is a contraceptive substance that destroys sperm, inserted vaginally prior to intercourse to prevent pregnancy. The common active ingredient of spermicides is nonoxynol-9. This used in the form of jelly.

Q What can i do if my child is overweight?

Overweight children are more likely to grow up into overweight adults, so your concern for raised weight of child is appropriate. It is usually better that the child maintains their current weight while they continue to grow in height. Making changes to your family~s lifestyle can make a real difference to your child~s weight. Eat regular meals, together as a first step towards a healthier diet. Use homemade food rather than relying on ready-made meals to help you to lower the fat and sugar content in your meals. Avoid the diet like snacks and meals that are high in fat or sugar, such as chocolate, biscuits, sweets and fizzy drinks, and aim to replace these with healthier alternatives such as fruits. Exercise is helpful to burn extra calories in your child. Kindly focus on light exercises done by your child like standing up, moving around, walking at a slow pace and less energetic play. Also active play (such as hide and seek and stuck in the mud), fast walking, riding a bike, dancing, swimming, climbing, skipping rope, gymnastics are helpful depending upon the age.

Q Can Sexually transmitted diseases like AIDs and Herpes be contracted just by kissing?

Kissing on mouth can transmit herpes. It is believed that the risk of catching HIV by kissing is relatively low but there is a chance of infection if a person has cut or sore in the mouth. Sexually transmitted diseases can spread from almost all types of sex including oral sex.

Q My hair is very curly. I want to straighten it. What should I do?

Temporary straightening can be obtain by using straightening irons. However if you wish to permanently straighten your hair then you need to consult a hair stylist. Even though it may make your hair look great, straightening brings with it a host of other problems such as breakage, thinning, dryness, split ends etc. Make a final decision after considering all the pros and cons.

Q What is oppositional defiant disorder?

Oppositional defiant disorder is mental condition seen in children. It is characterized by non co-operative behavior, disobedience, anger and annoying behavior towards any one in authoritative position. A child with oppositional defiant disorder will get angry easily, show temper tantrums, will not obey rules, annoy people deliberately, argue with person in authority, etc.

Q How is a rhinophyma (the w.c. Fields nose) treated?

Surgery is the treatment option for rhinophyma. Different surgical options include using a scalpel, laser, electro surgery, dermabrassion and cryosurgery.rnrn 

Q Biotin and vitamin e for hair?

Both the biotin and vit E are helpful for the growth of hair.

Q After my break-up with my girlfriend, i started losing my hair and i am becoming bald day by day is this the reason or some other major problem with me. Please guide me & suggest me some remedy or therapy.

There are many factors that can cause hair loss. Stress, anxiety, and depression are surprisingly common causes of thinning scalp hair, and can be especially difficult to recognize and treat. But apart from these there can be several other causes like hereditary, infection, nutritional deficiency, thyroid imbalance etc.. Once you have noticed that you are losing your hair, the first step is to get a medical evaluation to determine the cause. Either your primary care or a dermatologist is a good place to start. Treatment can then be directed to any of the above underlying causes that are present. But meanwhile you can follow these advices: eat plenty of salads including green leafy vegetables like spinach lettuce, plateful of fruits, buttermilk, milk, curd, fish,egg, increase intake of peanuts and almond and walnut, have proper and sound sleep daily. Concentrating on future rather than dwelling on past can work.

Q What is the true cause of trichotillomania aslo known as severe obsessive compulsive hair pulling?

The cause of trichotillomania is unclear. But like many complex disorders, trichotillomania probably results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Also, abnormalities in the natural brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine may play a role in trichotillomania. While the underlying biology is not clearly understood at this time, we do know that people with trichotillomania generally have a neurologically based predisposition to pull their hair as a self-soothing mechanism. The pulling behavior serves as a coping mechanism for anxiety and other difficult emotions. It does not hurt and they are not trying to damage themselves. While the average age of onset is 11, trich can be found in children as young as one year old. Onset of trich can be triggered by simple sensory events, such as itchy eyelashes, or by stressful life events, and it can occur quite suddenly. For example, it may be a tingling feeling that can only be relieved by pulling. ny relief that comes with hair pulling usually only lasts for a moment. The urge almost always returns. Thats because when the mind becomes used to giving in to the powerful urges that go with compulsive behaviors, the behavior is reinforced, and then becomes a habit. The mind gets trapped in a cycle of expecting to have the urge satisfied. The longer this goes on, the harder it can become to resist the urge.