From worrying rashes to fatigue and hair loss

THERE’S no denying the NHS has confronted the toughest two years in its historical past.

And whereas Covid restrictions could possibly be lifted utterly in a matter of days, the injury continues to be being felt throughout the well being service.

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With document ready lists to deal with, already exhausted employees are going through but tougher occasions. So we are able to all do our bit by making an attempt to remain as wholesome as doable.

And in relation to in search of medical assist we are able to all take into consideration the place finest to show. Might your native pharmacist assist, as a substitute of you calling your GP? Is phoning 111 higher than turning up at A&E?

That’s the place I hope my column can assist. Every week I’ll reply readers’ questions, that can assist you unravel niggling worries. No topic is off limits, so ask away. Listed below are a few of this week’s

Q: IS the one rash to fret about one that doesn’t disappear with a glass pressed towards it?

A: No, most undoubtedly not. There are such a lot of kinds of rashes, and a few may be very harmful whereas others are innocent.

The glass take a look at is for a “non-blanching” petechial or purpuric rash, which could be a signal of meningitis.

So whereas that’s an important rash to find out about, there are many rashes which is able to warrant additional investigation or remedy.

Psoriasis or eczema flare-ups are simpler to deal with if you happen to see your GP early, earlier than it will get too dangerous.

A rash is also an indication of an allergy, and typically rashes could be a results of an underlying systemic illness reminiscent of lupus.

Rashes could come and go.

So you probably have a rash that’s persistent or retains coming again, with no clarification, take images when it’s at its most florid and ship these pictures, with an e-consult type, to your GP.

Ideally, stand in entrance of a window, in good daylight, to take the images.

Q: ARE a sense of fatigue and lack of hair in any approach associated?

A: Briefly, they could possibly be however won’t be. There are a number of situations which have each as a symptom, together with iron or zinc deficiencies.

They will additionally current as signs of autoimmune illnesses reminiscent of underactive thyroid or lupus, or it could possibly be all the way down to stress or a interval of sickness.

When the physique experiences extreme sickness or a traumatic occasion, it may sacrifice pointless organic processes like rising hair to channel that vitality into going through regardless of the stress trigger is.

It’s price taking a look at your life-style and stress ranges. If these are in test, monitor your signs and make an appointment together with your GP.

Q: HOW can I assist my eight-year-old overcome their Covid-related nervousness?

A: Kids have suffered a lot throughout the pandemic – and 1 / 4 of your eight-year-old’s life has been spent in a pandemic, with lockdowns and mask-wearing.

Mother and father can fear that speaking with a baby about nervousness can simply make it worse. However getting issues out into the open is the utterly smartest thing you are able to do.

Ask your baby what they’re frightened about, particularly. If it’s getting Covid, their threat of significant sickness could be very small.

Whether it is somebody they love getting it, discuss concerning the success of the sensible vaccines programme.

So typically, kids’s worries can tackle a lifetime of their very own as a result of they don’t have the expertise adults do and don’t all the time course of issues rationally like an grownup would possibly.

Take issues step-by-step, discuss by way of all their issues and ensure you test in often with how they’re feeling.

Q: I’VE simply had my smear take a look at completed and I’m HPV optimistic. Does that imply I’m soiled?

A: Completely not. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a quite common virus that almost all of us are uncovered to sooner or later.

It’s a virus that usually will clear itself however can typically trigger adjustments to cells of the cervix which over years can progress to cervical most cancers.

That’s why cervical screening entails a take a look at for HPV – to find out who’s at larger threat of creating cervical most cancers in order that applicable additional assessments may be carried out.

It will be important individuals perceive the HPV optimistic result’s completely nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about, as most of us might be uncovered to the virus sooner or later.

Nor does it imply you’ve got cervical most cancers or will get it.