The Doc Replies

Our expert answers your medical questions

What’s the best way to avoid athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s Foot is a common fungal infection that affects your feet. It tends to occur between the toes but it can spread to the sides or sole of the foot if left untreated. You can get antifungal creams, sprays or powders at a pharmacy, but the creams are probably most effective. Continue to use the treatment for a couple of weeks after the athlete’s foot has gone to get rid of the fungus.

Avoid athlete’s foot by washing your feet daily and, importantly, thoroughly drying the skin between the toes. Change your socks every day and wear cotton socks and leather shoes to reduce sweating. People with athlete’s foot can try alternating their shoes to let them dry out properly, particularly ones you exercise in or wear often. You can also pick up fungal infections from places like swimming pools and changing rooms, so wearing flipflops is a good idea.

If you have athlete’s foot try to keep your shoes and socks off as much as possible, so wear sandals at home.

What causes a frozen shoulder?

Often people say they have a frozen shoulder when actually it’s a rotator cuff injury, which causes dull muscle pain in the shoulder joint. Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is where the shoulder joint capsule (the tissue immediately surrounding the ball-and-socket shoulder joint) is inflamed, becomes tight and shrinks, causing pain. It can occur after an injury and is more common in people with diabetes. It has different phases and the main treatment is pain relief, sometimes steroid injections, and then getting movement back once it’s less painful through physiotherapy.

What is Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia is a condition that affects movement and coordination. It can affect the ability to do things requiring coordination, like playing sports, driving a car, writing or using small tools. The cause isn’t clear. It’s more common in men and children born prematurely, and can run in families. There’s no specific treatment but occupational therapy and keeping fit can aid coordination.

The Doc Replies

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