I’ve suffered from itchy, red skin for many years and have tried using oral steroids, antihistamines and heavy creams – but they never completely got rid of the rashes. A friend suggested Sudocrem. I know it’s best known for treating diaper rash, but should I try it?
Some skin creams work better than others – depending on the condition you have. For example, the most common skin problems, eczema and dermatitis, cause the skin to be very dry, which means the treatment needs to be extremely moisturizing.
Doctors recommend what’s called an emollient cream: paraffin- or glycerin-based creams that lock in moisture when applied multiple times throughout the day. Steroid creams and antihistamines may also be recommended to reduce inflammation and itching.
Today’s reader would like to know if using Sudocrem will provide relief from his painful rash
Diaper creams like Sudocrem usually contain zinc oxide. They are known as barrier creams because they protect the skin from environmental irritants and prevent it from drying out.
If a barrier cream is working well, this indicates that the problem is being caused by irritants – such as soaps, creams or washing powder. Doctors often use such creams to treat dermatitis, which causes sore, itchy patches to develop in response to chemicals.
There’s no harm in trying a barrier cream and moving on if it’s working well. Using an emollient next to you can help keep skin more hydrated, especially at night.
At the end of the day, medicated skin creams are often a matter of personal preference — different ones may work for different people.
I’ve had a terrible burning sensation on my tongue and lower gums for the past few months. The problem seems to get worse throughout the day — and after eating. Neither my doctor nor my dentist could find anything wrong. Can you help?
A condition called burning mouth syndrome is surprisingly common but unfortunately poorly understood by physicians. The problem causes a hot or burning sensation on the lips, tongue, or even the whole mouth. The feeling is often worse after eating hot or spicy foods, after conversations, and during times of stress.
Scientists don’t understand what causes it, but we do know that it’s far more common in women than men — especially during menopause.
It’s likely to fall into a category of neuropathic pain — in which the nerves that carry pain signals between the tongue and the brain fail, mistaking heat for pain.
It’s important to rule out other problems in someone with burning mouth syndrome, including a yeast infection in the mouth, vitamin deficiencies, or serious oral conditions such as lichen planus or gingivitis.
All of these ailments can easily be treated by a general practitioner or dentist.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done about Burning Mouth Syndrome other than making it a part of your life and learning strategies to manage the symptoms. For example, distracting yourself from the problem through relaxation, breathing techniques, and meditation can help.
Primary care physicians may also prescribe specific neuropathic pain relievers or specific low-dose antidepressants to manage the pain. Some data suggests that trying a supplement called alpha lipoic acid from a health food store and keeping a journal to see if it helps or not may help.
In the last week or so I’ve developed a very sore eye. It doesn’t look particularly red, but it’s constantly watering and it hurts when I touch my eyelid. I can’t put on makeup and everything seems to irritate it. Do you have any suggestions?
Our eyes are extremely sensitive and can hurt from many things.
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dr Ellie can only respond in general terms and cannot address individual cases or provide personal answers. If you have any health concerns, always consult your GP.
Most commonly, eye problems are caused by infection or allergies, but they usually make the eye look red.
If the pain is specifically affecting the eyelid, it’s possible that there is a small stye on the inside of the lid, irritating the area and causing the eye to water. A stye usually causes a visible lump, but it can be harder to see if it’s on the inside of the eye.
It could be a condition called blepharitis – an inflammation of the eyelids. This is not usually painful but causes irritation, tearing, and some discharge.
Alternatively, there’s a chance you’ve scratched the front of the eye – the cornea. This is called a corneal abrasion.
This usually starts suddenly after the area has been unknowingly injured, such as by scratching it with a fingernail.
This type of problem and other corneal infections are particularly common in contact lens wearers, and a doctor would recommend antibiotic drops.
A less common cause of sudden eye pain would be glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain – so getting checked out right away is a good idea.
But before visiting your GP, it may be worth asking a pharmacist for an artificial tear or lubricating drop to wash out any dirt that can cause irritation.
Hospitals are robbing older people of their independence – this has to stop
Last week, The Mail on Sunday shared heartbreaking stories of people who had to leave hospital with incontinence due to the pressure on hospital staff. Family members said older relatives went to wards for simple procedures like hip replacements and were unnecessarily placed in adult diapers or hooked up to a catheter that directs urine into a bag because staff didn’t have time to take them to the toilet. As a result, the bladder no longer functions properly.
Emails from readers tell me many are affected. But they also show an even more disturbing trend: Patients coming out of the hospital cannot put one foot in front of the other. You will be admitted to a minor procedure completely independently and will not be able to carry out simple daily tasks.
Family members said older relatives went to wards for simple procedures like hip replacements and were unnecessarily placed in adult diapers or hooked up to a catheter that directs urine into a bag because staff didn’t have time to take them to the bathroom. As a result, the bladder no longer functions properly
In most cases, staff had neglected to assist them in getting up and walking around. I know hospitals are overwhelmed, but this shouldn’t be happening. I am interested in whether your relative was deprived of their independence after a hospital stay. Write to me at the email address below.
Listen! Don’t mess with earwax
Please don’t try to remove your earwax with a toothpick!
According to reports published last week, more and more patients are turning to bizarre and dangerous methods to get rid of it. I’ve also heard about people using bobby pins and even came across a video of a man using an in-ear camera to get a closer look.
Few GP surgeries offer wax removal as most of the time it isn’t necessary – it usually comes out naturally. And it’s important – it protects the ear.
Some people always use bizarre methods to remove their earwax — including toothpicks, pictured, bobby pins, and even video of a man using an in-ear camera to get a closer look
However, if you put things in your ear, you risk damaging the eardrum, leading to infection and further trapping earwax.
If your hearing suffers from wax, ask a pharmacist about emollient drops or oil. Alternatively, some opticians offer removal procedures.
Whatever you do, don’t try to solve the problem yourself.