Skin cancer can be roughly divided into two categories: melanoma and non-melanoma. Non-melanoma can be further divided into squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. There are also other rarer types such as Merkel cell carcinoma.

According to Hong Kong Cancer Statistics, the number of new skin cancer cases in 2021 is 1,200, which is a significant upward trend compared to 990 in 2012. Many people have the experience of noticing a new pigmented nevus has grown on their skin but don’t know whether it is a benign mole or skin cancer, or wonder is it cancerous on the thick black lines of the nails? How to distinguish between benign and malignant skin lesions? One can differentiate according to the ABCDE rules. 

A is asymmetry. Draw a cross in the middle of the mole to see if the four sides are symmetrical. Symmetrical one tend to be benign and asymmetrical tend to be malignant.

B is border. Whether the border is a regular or irregular. The regular one tends to be benign, whereas irregular one tends to be malignant

C is colour. The one with a single color tends to be benign, whereas contains more one colour or shade tends to be malignant

D is diameter. The smaller the size, the more benign it is. The larger the size, especially larger than 6mm, it is more likely to be malignant

E is evolving. If over time there is no change, it tends to be benign. If it becomes bigger and bigger, or if it changes in morphology, it tends to be malignant

If you have any doubts, please consult a doctor as soon as possible. Even if it is really skin cancer, it can be completely cured by current treatments if detected early.

What is RSV?
RSV stands for Human Respiratory Syncytical virus (Respiratory Syncytical Virus, RSV), which can cause severe lower respiratory tract infections in children and older adults. It usually causes mild cold-like symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, chills, low-grade fever and loss of appetite. RSV tends to attack more the lower respiratory tract (bronchioles) than common cold, and thus produces sputum that blocks the tiny airways, which can cause “acute bronchiolitis”

It is difficult for the human immune system to develop immunity to it, so the course of the disease after infection will be longer than that of a common cold, which can last up to 2 weeks.

Is rapid test for RSV available?
Yes, and using a cotton swab to obtain nasopharyngeal secretions. It is similar to the rapid test for influenza and COVID-19.

After obtaining the specimen, the results can be known in about 5 minutes, which can help doctors confirm the diagnosis and also allow patients and their families to be reassured.

What are the treatments for RSV?
Currently, no specific drugs exist to treat RSV infection, so “symptomatic treatment” is mainly used, including hydration and electrolyte replacement, respiratory therapy, bronchodilators, etc.

Is RSV vaccine available?
A new RSV vaccine with a protective efficacy of 82.6% for adults aged 60 and above has been registered in Hong Kong. 

In older adults with an underlying medical condition, such as cardiovascular disease and endocrine-metabolic disease, the vaccine is 94.6% effective.

Before vaccination, please consult your doctor to learn more about vaccinations and choose the vaccine that is best for you and your family.

The latest subtype of COVID-19 JN.1 has been causing concern. It appears to be highly contagious. The JN.1 strain first emerged in the United States in September and is a close relative of BA.2.86.  The variant JN.1 comprises an estimated 15–29% of COVID-19 Cases in the United States. However, there is no evidence that JN.1 presents an increased risk to public health relative to other currently circulating variants.

Many people are concerned about whether the new virus strain will be resistant to current COVID-19 drugs. The US CDC shows that currently available COVID-19 treatments are still effective, including Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, which the Hong Kong government has been providing to private clinics.

 If you are a citizen over 60 years old or have a long-term illnesses, taking antiviral drugs within the five days from COVID-19 symptoms onset is still effective and can reduce the rate of severe complications. Eligible citizens should check with their doctor as soon as possible whether oral anti-viral drugs are suitable for them.

Information source: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/SARS-CoV-2-variant-JN.1.html

Hypertrophic scar will cause patients to feel itching and stinging, and may even cause trouble in the patient’s life. Although scar formation cannot be completely avoided, the chance of scar hyperplasia can still be reduced through some preventive methods. Here are some tips for preventing scarring.

Q1: How to treat wounds correctly?
A. Wound management is important to prevent scarring. The first step is to keep the wound clean and avoid infection. Clean the surface of the wound with disinfectant, then use sterile alcohol cotton balls to disinfect along the edge of the wound, and cover the wound with a clean dressing. During the wound healing process, excessive skin pulling and pressure near the wound should also be avoided. Direct exposure to sunlight should also be avoided while the wound is healing, as ultraviolet rays may darken the colour and thicken the scar.

Q2: What dietary recommendations should be paid attention to during wound healing?
A. Adequate nutrition and hydration are very important for the skin healing process. A balanced diet, especially foods rich in protein and vitamins A and C, can help promote skin repair and avoid scarring. The collagen fibre in protein help repair wounds. If there is a lack of protein, wound repair will be hindered, leading to scarring. In addition, vitamin A increases the number of white blood cells needed to heal wounds, while vitamin C also helps produce collagen and transport nutrients to new blood vessels in the wound In addition, one should also avoid eating spicy foods, coffee, alcohol, etc.

Q3: What scar care products can be used after the wound has healed?
A. Generally, after the wound has healed or surgical stitches have been removed, scar removal products can be used to avoid scar hyperplasia. For example, silicone patches are easy to use and can be applied to scars, and do not need to be replaced frequently. They are more suitable for flat areas such as surgery or Caesarean section scars. In addition, silicone gel is also a common product. This type of product is applied and suitable for a variety of scars, especially large areas that are difficult to cover with patches, such as joints or hair. Using silicone scar reduction products can improve redness, swelling, pain or itching caused by scars, and can also prevent and alleviate scar hyperplasia.

Preventing scar hyperplasia requires attention from the initial stages of wound healing. Through some of the above simple measures, you can effectively reduce the risk of scar hyperplasia and make the wound heal healthier and more beautiful.