The Doc Replies

I was walking back from the shops last week and began to feel a bit of chest pain. Might it have been caused by the cold weather?

Some people who suffer from angina do report that their chest pain can be a bit worse in cold weather. The reasons are unclear. For people who suffer from angina, any extra effort such as walking up hills or stairs or walking against a strong wind can bring on chest pain. If you find this happening more frequently or this is a new symptom then it would be worth getting checked out.

The barber noticed bald patches at the back of my head and said I should be checked for alopecia. What is it?

Small patches of hair loss are often associated with alopecia areata. However, it can sometimes be caused by a fungal infection such as ringworm. With both these conditions, the skin will appear relatively normal underneath with no scarring. If there is scarring evident it is likely to be something else, and you should see your GP. In most cases of alopecia areata, the hair will regrow within a few months to a year and the area will remain small. Often with small patches there is no treatment needed. However, if the area is getting larger you should also speak to your family doctor.

Why does the skin turn red with sunburn?

This is due to inflammation. Sunburn is caused by an excess of ultraviolet light. As ever, I’d advise people to avoid sunburn by taking a few simple steps, such as not staying in sunlight for too long, using high factor sunblock, and keeping exposed skin covered – especially while staying in hot countries.