I’ve developed crusty red skin patches that itch and seem to get worse when the weather gets colder. What should I do?
Dr Ellie says: Crusty red skin patches that worsen in the winter could be something called dermatitis.
Some forms of dermatitis are lifelong – such as eczema – while others come and go and can be triggered by chemicals or contact with things like body lotions, washing powders and clothes.
Cold weather may irritate the skin, and central heating – which dries out the air – can make the condition worse.
To help with this, try humidifying the air at home. This can be done with a humidifier – available in many supermarkets – or by putting wet towels on hot radiators.
Dermatitis needs to be kept very well moisturised with medical-grade emollients that can be bought from the supermarket or pharmacists, such as CeraVe and Epimax.
Over-the-counter antihistamines can help control the itching sensation, allowing you to stop scratching and the skin to begin to heal
These type of moisturisers must be used at least three times a day. You should consider changing bath and shower products to less irritant forms, or using an alternative – such as aqueous cream – as a soap substitute.
Over-the-counter antihistamines can help control the itching sensation, allowing you to stop scratching and the skin to begin to heal. It would be worth showing the patches to your pharmacist, as they can suggest steroid creams for short term use. These don’t moisturise but actually treat the skin by calming inflammation.
If things don’t improve, make an appointment to see your GP. Conditions such as psoriasis – an autoimmune skin condition – can also cause red crusty patches, and a proper diagnosis from a doctor may be necessary.
After having Covid I lost my appetite, and have had nausea on and off for the past few years. I’ve just had major surgery and the nausea is back. I’ve tried everything from anti-sickness tablets to ginger tea but nothing seems to work. Have you any suggestions that might help?
Dr Ellie says: Nausea can be hard to treat and it’s not always easy to discover what’s behind it.
It could be that one of the medications you’re taking after undergoing surgery is causing it. This is a side effect with drugs such as anti-inflammatory or codeine-based painkillers, as well as antidepressants.
Your GP or pharmacist can advise if there are any obvious culprits from your medication.
Nausea can also be caused by problems within the stomach.
In somebody who has had bowel surgery, it could be that physical pressure from scar tissue on the stomach is creating the feeling of nausea and loss of appetite. In some rare cases, it can even be a sign of cancer.
Less serious conditions, such as acid reflux and constipation, can cause a prevailing nausea sensation and it is also a recognised feature of anxiety.
It’s important to try to understand the cause before you find treatment to help.
Cyclizine and metoclopramide are anti-vomiting medications that can be prescribed by a GP. You may find prochlorperazine is better, as this is specifically for nausea and vertigo. It also comes in a under-the-lip form which slowly dissolves.
It might also be worth trying the travel sickness medications you can buy from the pharmacy.
Ask your surgical team if it is possible to see a dietician, as dietary advice and a meal plan could be helpful to counteract postoperative nausea.
My husband has stage one prostate cancer and been put on watch-and-wait as his PSA levels are monitored. He seems fine, but his urine is always pink or red. Should we be concerned?
Dr Ellie says: When prostate cancer is defined as stage one it means that it
is confined to the organ, and thankfully has not spread.
Being put on the watch-and-wait treatment pathway implies that, after investigations, your husband’s doctors have decided that his cancer is not aggressive and doesn’t need active treatment – a positive outcome!
Commonly, this would entail having regular blood tests to check for changes in his PSA. If it goes up, he might be offered treatment at that point.
Blood in the urine can be caused by prostate cancer – though this is not a common symptom of the disease. Prostate cancer is much more likely to cause other changes in the urine, such as a weak or interrupted stream or difficulty starting or stopping urination.
Pink or red urine can be caused by problems such as an infection, kidney stones, chronic kidney disease and benign prostate conditions.
It would be worth clarifying with the GP if this blood is from the original issue – if it is a new problem it may require further testing, such as a bladder scan. In rare cases, blood in the urine can be a sign of bladder cancer.
Though very unlikely, it’s not impossible to have two cancers at once – dismissing the blood as related to the prostate cancer risks missing other issues.
Blood in the urine can be reduced by drinking plenty of water. But unless the underlying condition is treated, you can’t treat the blood itself.
- Do you have a question for Dr Ellie Cannon? Email DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk
- Dr Cannon cannot enter into personal correspondence and her replies should be taken in a general context.
Constant throat clearing should not be ignored
Dr Ellie says repetitive throat clearing can also be a sign of acid reflux and can lead to serious complications
A friend of mine was complaining recently of a colleague who wouldn’t stop clearing his throat. She said the sound was maddening, though he seemed unaware he was doing it.
Clearing your throat every so often is normal. But when the sensation of needing to persists beyond a couple of weeks, it could be a sign of something more serious.
The most common cause is post-nasal drip, which can occur when excess mucus from the nose drips down the throat, causing a tickling sensation. It’s usually caused by colds, sinusitis, allergies or even certain medications.
Repetitive throat clearing can also be a sign of acid reflux, which can splash on to the vocal cords and cause irritation. If untreated, this can lead to serious complications.
Have you or a loved one ever found yourself repetitively clearing your throat? And did you discover the cause? Write to me at the email below and let me know.
Have you overcome tinnitus?
Tinnitus can be a devastating condition – and it’s one I see all too often among my patients.
There is no universal cure for the condition – which causes a ringing sound in the ears – and it has a wide range of potential causes, but new treatments seem to show remarkable promise for many patients.
These include a smartphone app that provides self-help advice and electrical stimulation caps which send targeted pulses into the brain.
I’ve also heard of some having success with more natural remedies and lifestyle changes – from taking vitamin B12 supplements to regular meditation.
Have you found a way to deal with tinnitus? Please write to me and let me know.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .