Is my sunbed kid in danger?

Apr 27 2008 Dr Gareth

Mum Right To Worry About Cancer Risks

Q MY 14-year-old daughter will not listen when I tell her it is not good for her to use sunbeds. I worry she will get cancer. What can I do?

A YOU are right to worry. A new survey shows that around 170,000 children in Britain are regularly using sunbeds - a very worrying figure because sunbeds damage the DNA in skin cells when used over a long period. These changes can go on to cause cancer.

The situation is so serious that MSPs are expected to ban under-18s from tanning booths.

Sunbed use also prematurely ages the skin so your daughter may look 30 when she is 20. If she insists on looking brown, invest in a good fake tan.

Q I SUFFER from peripheral neuropathy due to type 2 diabetes. Can you recommend any oils or ointment for the symptoms?

A PERIPHERAL neuropathy is a condition where nerve endings become damaged and cause pins and needles or numbness. This can be very uncomfortable and even dangerous because small injuries to the foot could go unnoticed and become infected.

Because the pain is due to nerve damage and not the skin, creams and ointments do not work but there has been some success with low-dose antidepressants, such as amitryptilline, or anti-epileptic medications, such as Gabapentin. Speak to your doctor.

Q I PLAY a lot of sport and over the last few months I have noticed that my lower leg is cold and painful after about 20 minutes exercising. I'm worried this could be down to hardening of the arteries. Do you have any advice?

A ANY change in temperature or feeling in your leg after exercise should be examined.

Intermittent claudication - the condition brought on by hardening of the arteries - can cause the symptoms you describe but I could not say for sure without examining you.

Your GP will feel the pulses in your leg and refer you for an ultrasound. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Q I HAVE been put on tablets for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol - even though my blood pressure and cholesterol were normal. The GP says they are a precaution but I hate taking tablets. What should I do?

A IF your GP feels that you need tablets for your diabetes, you should take them. With regard to the other medication, there is a higher risk of heart disease and strokes with diabetes so some medications can be prescribed preventatively.

Mild type 2 diabetes can be reversed by changes in lifestyle. You should try to lose weight and increase the amount you exercise. This will stimulate the body to use insulin more efficiently.

Do this over the next few months and go back for a check-up. If things have improved ask your GP about coming off some of your pills.

Q MY sister has been diagnosed with dermatomyositis. What does this mean? And is it contagious?

A DERMATOMYOSITIS is a connective tissue disorder and is not contagious.

It causes painful inflammation in the muscle tissue that leaves the sufferer feeling very tired and weak. In some cases there is also a rash on the face and eyelids, or on areas of the body exposed to sunlight.

It is usually treated with steroids but it can take a while for symptoms to resolve. She will need a lot of TLC and rest.

Q MY daughter needs jabs for a holiday to Thailand but they are very expensive. Why can't this be done on the NHS?

A WE are immunised for illnesses that cause health problems in the UK - tetanus, whooping cough, etc. If someone chooses to go to an area where they may be exposed to tropical illnesses, it is their responsibility to protect themselves.