THE DOC REPLIES

What is a burst capillary? I I am not sure. I know that for have purple blotches on my pregnant women who are legs and have been told that more at risk of mercury toxicity is what they are. it is recommended that no

A capillary is the name for more than four tins are eaten a very small blood vessel as at a time. I think a normal can sometimes be seen under healthy diet with a good the skin. These are fragile and balance of foods – along with can be burst by trauma. They a sensible amount of fish – is can also occasionally likely to be safe. spontaneously burst, especially as one gets older, I have pericarditis – what is it or if the skin is exposed to the and what could have caused elements. This is seen most it? commonly on the face and This is an inflammation of also sometimes on the legs – the lining sac of the heart. It especially in people who can be caused by many have varicose veins. This things – most commonly with causes increased pressure on infections, especially viral the capillaries under the ones. It can also be down to surface which are then more chemical changes in the likely to burst and cause blue blood or even some forms discolouration. of cancer. It’s painful

but, if the pericardium I have Sudeck’s Atrophy. becomes restricted What is it? or swollen or filled

Sudeck’s Atrophy is more with fluid, it can commonly known nowadays cause problems. It as complex regional pain can affect the syndrome. It is thought to be efficiency of the due to nerve damage often heart which causes caused by trauma or surgery. breathlessness. While the original injury Occasionally, when improves, nerve symptoms examined, you can hear a persist. The skin in the rubbing noise coming from offending area is often very the layers of the pericardium. sensitive, there can be skin It can be quite debilitating and hair changes along with but most people make a full swelling. Movement can be recovery. affected. Treatment is difficult although there are a number My grandson was born with a of drugs in use nowadays tooth already in his mouth which are very effective for and the decision was taken to nerve pain. remove it. Will a tooth come

in normally in the space? How much tinned tuna is safe Although unusual this is not to eat? Am I at risk of mercury unheard of. I am not a dentist poisoning? but my understanding is that

It depends on a lot of this would be a baby tooth factors – so the short answer is and therefore that baby

Unfortunately The Doc can’t directly reply to individual letters. When in doubt speak to your GP

My foot arch has dropped – is there any way to restore it as it’s become quite painful?

If you are having a lot of pain I think you should see either a podiatrist or your GP to diagnose you correctly. Everyone’s arch is a different size and some people are more flat-footed than others. It may be that your arch is needing support or it may be that you have another problem such as a condition called plantar fasciitis. You may need some sort of support for your footwear.