Q: After trying several expensive medications my doctor prescribed for dandruff and rosacea, I stumbled on Cetaphil face cleanser. Because I got an immediate response, I now use Cetaphil baby wash and shampoo on my hair and face with excellent results. The rosacea has been tamed, and the amount of scalp flakes greatly reduced.

A: Thanks for sharing your success story. The two products you name have different ingredients, so we are not sure which ones might be helping your skin.

Rosacea is a condition in which the skin flushes easily, often with redness across the cheeks. Small red bumps may appear on the skin, along with inflamed blood vessels.

A dermatologist studied Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and found that it did not damage the skin barrier for people with rosacea (Cutis, April 2006). They need to be especially careful to choose products that don’t irritate the skin, as they are vulnerable to this problem. The researcher concluded, “These results indicate that Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser may be a good choice for the cleansing part of a total rosacea skin care regimen.”

Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo contains Calendula officinalis extract. This flower has both antibacterial and antifungal activity. It also has skin soothing properties. We don’t know if the product contains enough to make a difference.

Q: If a person with prediabetes takes Jardiance, can it trigger Type 2 diabetes? My friend is a cardiac patient who had open-heart surgery a decade ago. His cardiologist says he should take Jardiance. His GP didn’t recommend it. Then he saw an endocrinologist who said if he didn’t take the Jardiance, he’d end up on daily injections. Mind you, he didn’t have a diabetes diagnosis.

He is slightly overweight and sexually active. He took his first dose last night, and today he tested his blood sugar. The meter said he is diabetic, and we are both freaking out. How could he go from prediabetes to diabetes overnight?

A: The boundary between prediabetes and diabetes is more of a gray zone than a bright line. Blood sugar changes throughout the day depending on what you have eaten and when, as well as how much physical activity you are getting. The endocrinologist seems to have imagined that your friend was likely to develop diabetes.

Cardiologists are enthusiastic about Jardiance (empagliflozin) for people with heart failure. But a recent trial did not show any benefit for those who had heart attacks (New England Journal of Medicine, April 25, 2024).

We have found no reports that Jardiance can speed the transition from prediabetes to diabetes. On the other hand, we can’t find any randomized controlled trials showing that it prevents this progression, either.

Q: Years ago, I had infrequent stabbing pains around my genital area. This was unpredictable and very embarrassing.

My gynecologist gave me a long list of things to be careful of, such as making sure I washed my hands after handling a newspaper, but nothing helped. Then I read that underwear should be washed in hot water. This was not on her list, but it helped me. I haven’t had the problem since.

Many people use cold water for laundry now. I thought someone else might benefit.

A: We have no idea what was causing your pain. Washing underwear in hot water (140 degrees), though, should get rid of most germs. Thanks for the tip.

Q: My husband has a pair of running shoes that have a strong odor like mildew. The shoes are not used for intense activity or running, but more for every day. We have tried inserts, washing and foot sprays. They are only about two months old. Any suggestions to help eliminate the odor?

A: We heard from one reader that leaving a couple of tablespoons of 20 Mule Team Borax in each shoe for at least eight hours solved an odor problem. Borax must be kept away from household pets. Be careful not to inhale it while sniffing the shoe to see if it works. The powder can irritate the lungs.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Send questions to them via www.peoplespharmacy.com.