Why have I suddenly developed crusty red patches on my skin and what should I do about it? DR ELLIE has the answer

I developed crusty patches of red skin that were itchy and got worse when the weather got colder. What should I do?

Doctor Ellie says: Crusty red skin patches that worsen in the winter may be something called dermatitis.

While some types of dermatitis, such as eczema, last a lifetime, others come and go and can be triggered by chemicals or contact with things like body lotions, laundry detergents, and clothing.

Cold weather can irritate the skin, and central heating, which dries the air, can make the situation worse.

To help with this, try humidifying the air in your home. This can be done with a humidifier, available in many supermarkets, or by placing wet towels over hot radiators.

Dermatitis needs to be very well moisturized with medical grade emollients such as CeraVe and Epimax, which can be purchased from supermarkets or pharmacists.

This type of moisturizer needs to be used at least three times a day. You should consider replacing bath and shower products with less irritating products or using an alternative such as an aqueous cream instead of soap.

Over-the-counter antihistamines can help control the itching sensation, allowing you to stop scratching and allow your skin to begin healing. It is worth showing the patches to your pharmacist as they may recommend steroid creams for short-term use. These do not moisturize but actually treat the skin by calming inflammation.

If things don’t improve, make an appointment to see your doctor. Conditions such as psoriasis, an autoimmune skin disease, can also cause red crusty patches, and proper diagnosis by a doctor may be necessary.

After having Covid, I lost my appetite and have had nausea on and off for the last few years. I had major surgery and my nausea is back. I’ve tried everything from anti-sickness pills to ginger tea, but nothing seems to work. Do you have any helpful suggestions?

Doctor Ellie says: Nausea can be difficult to treat, and discovering what’s behind it isn’t always easy.

One of the medications you took after surgery may be causing this. This is a side effect of medications such as anti-inflammatory or codeine-based painkillers as well as antidepressants.

Your doctor or pharmacist can advise if your medication is an obvious culprit.

Nausea can also be caused by problems in the stomach.

In a person who has had bowel surgery, the physical pressure created by scar tissue in the stomach may cause nausea and loss of appetite. In some rare cases, it may even be a sign of cancer.

Less serious conditions, such as acid reflux and constipation, can cause a widespread feeling of nausea, which is also a known feature of anxiety.

It’s important to try to understand the cause before finding treatment that will help.

Cyclizine and metoclopramide are anti-emetic drugs that can be prescribed by a general practitioner. You may find that prochlorperazine is better because it is specifically for nausea and dizziness. It is also available in an under-lip form that melts slowly.

It may also be useful to try travel sickness medications that you can buy from the pharmacy.

Ask your surgical team if it is possible to meet with a dietitian, as diet advice and a meal plan can be helpful in relieving nausea after surgery.

My husband has stage one prostate cancer and was kept under observation while his PSA levels were monitored. He seems fine but his urine is always pink or red. Should we be worried?

Doctor Ellie says: When prostate cancer is defined as stage one, this means:

It was limited to the organ and thankfully did not spread.

Being subjected to the watch-and-wait treatment pathway means that, after examination, your husband’s doctors determined that the cancer is not aggressive and does not need active treatment; This is a positive result!

Usually this requires having regular blood tests to check for changes in your PSA. If it rises, he may be offered treatment at that point.

Blood in the urine may be caused by prostate cancer, but it is not a common symptom of the disease. Prostate cancer is much more likely to cause other changes in urine, such as a weak or intermittent stream of urine or difficulty starting or stopping urination.

Pink or red urine can be caused by problems such as infection, kidney stones, chronic kidney disease and benign prostate conditions.

It would be useful to clarify with the general practitioner whether this blood is from the original case; If it is a new problem, it may require further testing, such as a bladder scan. In rare cases, blood in the urine may be a sign of bladder cancer.

Although very unlikely, it is not impossible to have two cancers at the same time; Thinking that blood is related to prostate cancer risks overlooking other problems.

Blood in the urine can be reduced by drinking plenty of water. However, you cannot treat the blood itself unless the underlying cause is treated.

• Have a question for Dr Ellie Cannon? Email DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk
• Dr Cannon cannot engage in personal correspondence and his responses must be considered in a general context.

Constant throat clearing should not be ignored

Repetitive throat clearing can also be a sign of acid reflux and lead to serious complications, says Dr Ellie

Recently, a friend of mine was complaining about a colleague not stopping clearing his throat. Even though he didn’t realize he was doing it, he said the sound was maddening.

It is normal to clear your throat frequently. But if the feeling of neediness lasts longer than a few weeks, it could be a sign of something more serious.

The most common cause is postnasal drip, which can occur when excess mucus from the nose drips into the throat and causes a tickling sensation. It is usually caused by a cold, sinusitis, allergies, or even some medications.

Repetitive throat clearing can also be a sign of acid reflux, which can spread to the vocal cords and cause irritation. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications.

Have you or someone you love ever found yourself clearing your throat over and over again? So, have you discovered the reason? Write to me at the email below and let me know.

Have you overcome tinnitus?

Tinnitus can be a devastating condition, and I see it all too often among my patients.

There is no universal cure for this condition, which causes a ringing sound in the ears, and it has a wide range of potential causes, but new treatments appear to hold remarkable promise for many patients.

These include a smartphone app that provides self-help advice and electrical stimulation heads that deliver targeted pulses to the brain.

I’ve also heard of some having success with more natural treatments 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.