your health

THIS MONTH... Getting enough vitamin D • Deep vein thrombosis on long-haul flights • Preventing insect bites

119 ask dr rosemary leonard

QLast summer I went to Spain and I ended up covered in insect bites, which developed into blisters. No one else was affected, so why me? And what can I do to stop it happening again?

AWe all have a unique odour that’s based on our body secretions, which in turn are influenced by the bacteria that live on our skin, and also on our diet. Chemicals on the skin from perfumes and even detergent residues in clothing all add into the mix, and insects have a powerful sense of smell, and know the ones they like! When an insect bites, it releases saliva into the skin that can cause irritation and inflammation, and though in most this causes a red, itchy mark, if you are very sensitive to the chemicals in the saliva, the reaction may be more severe, with the formation of blisters. This

QI’m flying long-haul for my summer holiday and am concerned about getting a DVT, especially as I’m on HRT. Should I take an aspirin before I fly?

AThough aspirin can help prevent clots in arteries, it does not help prevent clots in veins, so will not prevent deep vein thrombosis. If you are taking the oestrogen part of your HRT in tablet form, then you are at slight increased risk, but don’t be

is more likely to happen with bites from mosquitoes, midges and gnats. Wearing insect repellent and covering up, wearing trousers and long sleeves, especially in the evenings, can help prevent bites, but if you do suspect you have been bitten, take an antihistamine tablet straight away, such as cetirizine, and apply 1% hydrocortisone cream to the affected area. concerned if you are using patches or gel, as these do not affect clotting factors. The best way of preventing a DVT is to stay well hydrated, so drink lots of water, and do regular leg exercises. Aim to bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes every half hour, and every hour or so, take a walk up and down the aisle. If you know you won’t be able to move, or are on an overnight flight and hope to sleep, then graduated compression stockings are also a good idea. The main sign of a DVT is a persistent swollen leg, so if this happens, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

QI’m aware I overdid the sunbathing when I was younger and now am really careful to protect my skin. But recently

I keep hearing that we all need exposure to sunlight to make vitamin D. So what should I do – keep on with sunblock and stay in the shade, or not?

AVitamin D is required for healthy bones and teeth, and is especially important in older women, who often already have low bone density. Though vitamin D is found in some foods, especially oily fish and eggs, it’s difficult to obtain enough, even if you have a good diet. The vitamin is also made by the action of sunlight on the skin, but this only happens in the UK during the summer months. So for this reason, it’s recommended that everyone should take a vitamin D supplement, especially during winter. Vitamin D can be stored in the body, and actually you don’t need a lot of sun exposure to stimulate vitamin D production – just as little as 15 minutes on your arms and legs can be enough. So let your skin see a little sunshine, especially in the mornings and late afternoons, when you are less likely to burn, but always protect your face and slap on the sunblock when you are out in the middle of the day. w&h