INSTANT appointment
With PharmacistMelanie King at Pharmacy2U (pharmacy2u.co.uk)
Walking woes
Q After wearing new shoes, I have painful blisters on my heels that won’t go away. How can I help them heal faster?
A Blisters should heal naturally on their own over a couple days, but you can put steps in place to ensure that nothing slows down this process.
This includes keeping the blister as clean as possible and covering it with a soft plaster, ideally a hydrocolloid blister plaster.
If the blister has burst, make sure you wash your hands before and after touching it.
Ensure that the fluid from the blister is fully drained too before it is covered with a plaster. This will help to prevent an infection.
When you next break new shoes in, wear thick socks and use a hairdryer to warm them, which helps break them in.
Morning mayhem
Q I’ve been throwing up bile every morning before work. What could be causing this?
A Throwing up bile every day could be a sign of a serious underlying condition, such as gastritis, a hiatal hernia, or other digestive disorders, including acid reflux.
If you’re experiencing symptoms alongside your persistent vomiting such as a burning sensation or tightness in the chest, it’s possible your condition is linked to acid reflux.
If so, it may be worth looking at your dietary habits for possible causes. This can encompass eating foods high in spice, acid or fat, eating late at night and excessive alcohol consumption.
Intestinal blockages can also be the cause of excess bile – this is likely to be accompanied by pain and cramping in your abdomen alongside the vomiting.
It’s important to note that pregnancy is also a common cause of morning nausea so it may be worth taking a test.
Ultimately, persistent vomiting is not something that should be ignored, and I recommend you seek medical advice from your GP as soon as possible.
Stinging sensation
Q I was recently stung by a bee in the garden. But after a few days, the swelling hasn’t gone down. Is this something I should be worried about?
A Bee stings are a painful nuisance and not a cause for concern unless you’re having an allergic reaction.
Swelling around the sting is normal and not necessarily a sign of an allergic re
