For years I have suffered from swollen and itchy lips when I am in the sun. I have tried putting on sunscreen with SPF 50 but it doesn’t help. Do you think it could be an allergic reaction?
Dr. Ellie Cannon responds: Although it is rare, it is possible for some people to be allergic to the sun. This condition, known as solar urticaria, can cause a rash, usually on all parts of the skin exposed to the sun.
However, some patients with a mild case of solar urticaria may only be affected on the lips, as this skin is more sensitive.
Trying a daily allergy pill, called an antihistamine, would be a low-risk option.
It is possible for people to be allergic to the sun, writes Dr Ellie Cannon. This condition, known as solar urticaria, can cause a rash
They are generally very safe and can be purchased over the counter. Plus, they have the added benefit that if you take the pill and the irritation goes away, you can conclude that an allergic reaction is the cause. A good option to try would be fexofenadine.
Another reason why your lips may become irritated is a reaction to heat, which is why sunscreen won’t help. In fact, it may even be a reaction to the sunscreen itself, which is known to trigger dermatitis, an itchy skin condition.
The best cream to soothe irritated lips is Vaseline or a beeswax-based lip balm. If these products don’t work, a steroid cream may help. However, this must be prescribed by a GP.
During a check-up I gave a urine sample which turned out to contain traces of blood. The GP asked me questions about my urinary habits (I told him I need to go to the toilet all the time) and made an appointment with a specialist in October. Should I be worried?
Dr. Ellie answers: Blood in urine is something we always take seriously.
If blood is visible (urine is pink, red or dark brown), it may be a sign of bladder cancer, so the patient should be referred to a specialist within two weeks.
However, if there are only traces of blood, which cannot be seen but are detected in a urine test, it is less likely to be cancer.
Other causes of blood in the urine include a urinary tract infection. This is often accompanied by a burning sensation when urinating, high fever, cloudy urine, or pain in the lower back.
Kidney stones can also cause blood in your urine. This is likely to cause other symptoms as well, such as pain in your sides, back, or groin, as well as nausea.
To determine the cause, your specialist may perform more invasive investigations, including a cystoscopy, which is a thin, flexible camera inserted into the bladder through the penis.
Another trigger for blood in the urine is an enlarged prostate, a common condition in men over 50, which makes it difficult to urinate or causes a feeling of needing to urinate suddenly and frequently.
If this is the cause, treatment would include medications that shrink the prostate and, if necessary, surgery to remove excess tissue.
Whatever the cause, a urologist should be able to help you with your overactive bladder.
There are medications that can help reduce the urge to urinate, as well as nerve treatments, which use electrical currents, which have the same effect.
I was diagnosed with arthritis in my hands and told to take 600 mg of ibuprofen up to three times a day. My doctor also suggested that I rub ibuprofen gel on my joints. Do you think this is a dangerous amount of the medication?
Dr. Ellie answers: The usual recommended dose of ibuprofen is 400 mg three times a day. Taking more than this can be dangerous.
The anti-inflammatory drug is effective in reducing joint pain and stiffness. In some cases, such as dental pain, menstrual cramps, or arthritis, doctors may prescribe a 600 mg dose that can be taken four times a day.
However, it is important that patients do not combine the maximum dose of tablets with ibuprofen gel, as this may increase the risk of side effects. Too much ibuprofen can irritate the stomach, causing nausea and vomiting. In large amounts, this can also lead to painful stomach ulcers.
Taking high doses for long periods may also increase your risk of stroke and heart attack.
If ibuprofen doesn’t help, there are other options. The painkiller paracetamol can be taken alongside it without any problems, while many people find that warming or cooling hand creams, such as Deep Heat, have a positive effect.
Some patients also benefit from hand physiotherapy, which helps reduce stiffness through exercises and stretches. Finally, there are prescription anti-inflammatory tablets, which are often more effective than ibuprofen, such as etoricoxib and celecoxib. However, these should be discussed with a rheumatologist as they carry a number of risks, including increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Do you get five a day or rather one a month?
It seems that an alarming number of Britons are not eating enough fruit and vegetables.
Research from food tracking company My Fitness Pal has revealed that the average person can go up to three weeks without eating a green vegetable, while most go an entire month without eating a single piece of fruit.
I know from my own patients that many people in this country have a terrible diet, but even I was baffled by these findings.
It has long been said that everyone should eat five portions of fruit or vegetables a day.
What is a serving? You may ask. Most people consider it to be 80 grams, or about a handful.
So how often do you eat five handfuls of fruit or vegetables a day?
Please write to me using the email address at the bottom of the page and let me know what you think.
- Do you have any questions for Dr Ellie Cannon? Email DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk
- Dr. Cannon is unable to engage in personal correspondence and her responses should be taken in a general context.