DEAR DR. DONOHUE: When exercising, I sometimes have itching. Will you comment on this? — W.M. ANSWER: One possibility is something called cholinergic urticaria. It’s an outbreak of itchiness and tiny red dots, so tiny they can be hard to see. They’re a miniature version of hives. The cause is an increase in body temperature […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 82. I have had something wrong with my tongue for months. I went to my family doctor, and he thought it was a yeast infection. He sent me to a specialist, who called it black tongue. He sent me to a store that sells colloidal silver and tea tree. They […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 82. I have had something wrong with my tongue for months. I went to my family doctor, and he thought it was a yeast infection. He sent me to a specialist, who called it black tongue. He sent me to a store that sells colloidal silver and tea tree. They […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My platelet counts have been high. I take hydroxyurea for this. My diagnosis is essential thrombocytosis. Is there a danger of clotting? Why have they told me not to hold the hydroxyurea capsules in my hand, but to take one directly into my mouth from the bottle? I was told to wash […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My platelet counts have been high. I take hydroxyurea for this. My diagnosis is essential thrombocytosis. Is there a danger of clotting? Why have they told me not to hold the hydroxyurea capsules in my hand, but to take one directly into my mouth from the bottle? I was told to wash […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Tell me something about bronchiectasis. I have had it for more than six months. Is it treatable? I use albuterol in a nebulizer. I am tired all the time and have no appetite. I have a cough with phlegm. Some nights I sweat. My doctor has me on ethambutol, clarithromycin and rifampin. […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Tell me something about bronchiectasis. I have had it for more than six months. Is it treatable? I use albuterol in a nebulizer. I am tired all the time and have no appetite. I have a cough with phlegm. Some nights I sweat. My doctor has me on ethambutol, clarithromycin and rifampin. […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My question is about female hair loss. I have heard of and read about alopecia. During a recent doctor appointment, the term “telogen effluvium” was mentioned. No explanation was given, and no treatment was suggested. Is there a treatment? Will you please comment? — M.A. ANSWER: Hair growth involves three different stages. […]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My question is about female hair loss. I have heard of and read about alopecia. During a recent doctor appointment, the term “telogen effluvium” was mentioned. No explanation was given, and no treatment was suggested. Is there a treatment? Will you please comment? — M.A. ANSWER: Hair growth involves three different stages. […]