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<\/p>\nI\u2019ve developed crusty red skin patches that itch and seem to get worse when the weather gets colder. What should I do?<\/p>\n
Dr Ellie says: Crusty red skin patches that worsen in the winter could be something called dermatitis.<\/p>\n
Some forms of dermatitis are lifelong \u2013 such as eczema \u2013 while others come and go and can be triggered by chemicals or contact with things like body lotions, washing powders and clothes.<\/p>\n
Cold weather may irritate the skin, and central heating \u2013 which dries out the air \u2013 can make the condition worse.<\/p>\n
To help with this, try humidifying the air at home. This can be done with a humidifier \u2013 available in many supermarkets \u2013 or by putting wet towels on hot radiators.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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Over-the-counter antihistamines can help control the itching sensation, allowing you to stop scratching and the skin to begin to heal<\/p>\n
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 \u2013 such as aqueous cream \u2013 as a soap substitute.<\/p>\n
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\u2019t moisturise but actually treat the skin by calming inflammation.<\/p>\n
If things don\u2019t improve, make an appointment to see your GP. Conditions such as psoriasis \u2013 an autoimmune skin condition \u2013 can also cause red crusty patches, and a proper diagnosis from a doctor may be necessary.<\/p>\n
After having Covid I lost my appetite, and have had nausea on and off for the past few years. I\u2019ve just had major surgery and the nausea is back. I\u2019ve tried everything from anti-sickness tablets to ginger tea but nothing seems to work. Have you any suggestions that might help?<\/p>\n
Dr Ellie says: Nausea can be hard to treat and it\u2019s not always easy to discover what\u2019s behind it.<\/p>\n
It could be that one of the medications you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n
Your GP or pharmacist can advise if there are any obvious culprits from your medication.<\/p>\n
Nausea can also be caused by problems within the stomach.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Less serious conditions, such as acid reflux and constipation, can cause a prevailing nausea sensation and it is also a recognised feature of anxiety.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to try to understand the cause before you find treatment to help.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It might also be worth trying the travel sickness medications you can buy from the pharmacy.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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?<\/p>\n
Dr Ellie says: When prostate cancer is defined as stage one it means that it<\/p>\n
is confined to the organ, and thankfully has not spread.<\/p>\n
Being put on the watch-and-wait treatment pathway implies that, after investigations, your husband\u2019s doctors have decided that his cancer is not aggressive and doesn\u2019t need active treatment \u2013 a positive outcome!<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Blood in the urine can be caused by prostate cancer \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
Pink or red urine can be caused by problems such as an infection, kidney stones, chronic kidney disease and benign prostate conditions.<\/p>\n
It would be worth clarifying with the GP if this blood is from the original issue \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
Though very unlikely, it\u2019s not impossible to have two cancers at once \u2013 dismissing the blood as related to the prostate cancer risks missing other issues.<\/p>\n
Blood in the urine can be reduced by drinking plenty of water. But unless the underlying condition is treated, you can\u2019t treat the blood itself.<\/p>\n
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