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Our expert answers your medical questions

My husband suffers on occasion from cellulitis. He becomes quite feverish and confused. What is causing this?

Cellulitis is infection of the tissue just below the skin surface. It can be anywhere on the body, most commonly on the leg.

It is usually caused by bacteria staph aureus and/or a type of streptococcus.

You are more prone to this infection if you are elderly, have swollen legs or are overweight, are pregnant, or have weak immunity. Athlete’s foot or severe eczema can also be an entry point.

The area becomes red and swollen, with increasing pain as it worsens.

Sufferers may have a high temperature and feel generally unwell. Cellulitis is treated with antibiotics, usually Flucloxacillin. Paracetamol is useful to tackle the temperature and it is important to drink plenty and use moisturiser to stop the skin becoming too dry. Prevention is important. Clean any cuts and wounds, treat dry skin, avoid scratching and treat things like athletes foot.

If your temperature is high and you are confused you need to be in hospital.

See your doctor that day, and they will decide what is required. However if you are confused you need to get to hospital quickly. My friend is a nurse and tells me I don’t drink enough fluids. I usually have half a litre of water a day. Is this enough? Probably not. The amount of fluid you should have varies quite a bit and depends on things like how active you are and how hot the weather is.

Up to a third of our fluid comes from food, particularly fruit and veg. Women should have about three pints of water a day and men four. Not alcohol. Fizzy drinks are not good because they are generally full of sugar. I am a 78-year-old woman and have had lichen sclerosus for about three years. I am also prone to urine infections. Are they linked? A Having this condition is not a direct risk factor for urinary infections. However, some research suggests there may be a link to bladder problems.

See your doctor. It is important the lichen sclerosus is kept under review. The Sunday Post, Skypark Suite 3/6, 8 Elliot Place, Glasgow G3 8EP or email us at