Chat health

Don’t be shy – Chat’s Dr Martin Edwards is a family GP who’s seen it all before…

Prickly heat

Q I love the sun, but it makes me come out in prickly red spots! Janice, 32

ASounds like prickly heat. A sudden rise in temperature causes your sweat glands to work so hard they get blocked and sore.

It gets better once you’re acclimatised, but meanwhile, keep cool, use sunscreen, wear loose clothes, and try antihistamine tablets.

Tummy troubles

Q I’ve had a tummy bug for days. I’ve stopped vomiting, but still have the runs. My mum says I must eat, but I don’t feel like it. Ginni, 23

Small balls?

Q My mates laugh as I often sit with my legs crossed, but they say their testicles are too big to do that, so mine must be small! Phil, 42

AIf that’s the case, then their testicles must be abnormally swollen!

Man-spreading is more about macho ego and insecurity, not anatomy, and there’s no excuse!

AListen to your tum rather than Mum! It’s important to prevent dehydration, so take constant sips of roomtemperature water or juice. But food is less essential.

Vomiting usually settles within a day or two, but your runs might continue for days.

Just juice?

Q The leaflet for my new tablets says not to take them with grapefruit juice. Do I really have to change my breakfast? Marjorie, 71

AGrapefruit juice can affect enzymes in your liver, so some statin drugs to lower cholesterol and some blood-pressure pills can build up in your bloodstream.

If you’ll really miss it, your GP might be able to suggest alternative medication that’s safe with grapefruit.