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Dr Craig Roberts is a physician in general practice, and is the team doctor for the Natal Sharks.

I have a plantar wart on my foot. How should it be treated?

Plantar warts are caused by the HPV (human papillomavirus). Due to the pressure on your feetâ€™s skin, they usually grow inwards. Treatment options include: 1. Salicylclic acid comes in liquid, gel, pad or ointment form, which is applied daily after soaking the foot in water for five minutes to soften the skin. This isnâ€™t always effective on plantar warts as they are deeply embedded. 2. Cryotherapy involves your GP or podiatrist freezing the effected skin with liquid nitrogen. 3. Laser therapy is very effective, targeting only the effected cells, but itâ€™s expensive and requires a specialist dermatologist. 4. Surgery may be required in resistant cases. Your doctor or podiatrist may need to excise the affected area under local anaesthetic. Warts are caused by direct contact with the virus so unless you want to start a plantar wart club at your gym, steer clear of showering bare feet in communal showers.

Can you suddenly â€œbecomeâ€ allergic?

Most definitely: an allergic reaction occurs when your bodyâ€™s immune system treats a specific trigger as a foreign substance. Generally, allergies tend to be present in childhood and as the immune system develops, an individual may grow out of the allergy. There are more and more cases, however, of adult onset allergies, particularly to peanuts, shellfish, fish and eggs. Itâ€™s estimated that two to three percent of adults have seafood allergies as opposed to one percent of children. Scientists have identified several allergens in seafood, most importantly a protein called tropomyosin, as the culprit. So if you start turning into the Michelin man shortly after that giant seafood platter, go straight to the casualty as it can be potentially lifethreatening. There are also sophisticated blood tests that can identify exactly which triggers you may be allergic to.

Would you recommend getting a flu jab this winter?

It provides immunity to the three flu viruses that have been identified to be the most virulent and debilitating for 2010 (this year theyâ€™re the California, Perth and Brisbane virus strains). Unfortunately, due to the World Cup preparations here, the majority of the vaccines have been snapped up to be given to the staff and officials before the tournament. That means theyâ€™re pretty hard to get hold of. Generally, for a fit, healthy person, itâ€™s not necessary to take the vaccine; they are perscribed for the elderly or immunecompromised where an infection may be life threatening. Also, elite sportsmen and women often take the vaccine as they canâ€™t afford to be off sick for a prolonged period of time as this can significantly affect their fitness and preparation for a race or competition. So, if you are an 80-year-old elite runner training to compete in the world masters, I would try and get a shot, otherwise I think you will be okay without the jab.

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Is aspirin or paracetamol better?
- Whatâ€™s better to treat a headache: aspirin or paracetamol?
  
  Both drugs are usually effective at treating headaches, but paracetamol is probably better as it has fewer potential side effects. Aspirin can cause nasty stomach ulceration, particularly if taken long term. It also reduces the ability of the blood to clot â€“ a positive effect when used to prevent clotting in the coronary arteries (half an aspirin a day). Paracetamol, although relatively safe at prescribed doses, can be very toxic to the liver, resulting in possible liver failure and even death when taken in larger doses. The absolute limit is two every four to six hours and no more than eight tablets over a 24-hour period. So although these over-thecounter medications are easily obtainable, they need to be taken responsibly and not exceed the recommended doses.
What are hiccups?
- What exactly are hiccups and how do I cure them?
  
  Hiccups are a reflex caused by a sudden contraction of your diaphragm. Your glottis (the top of your windpipe) closes immediately after your diaphragm contracts, which makes the typical â€œhicâ€ sound. In most cases they start for no apparent reason, last a short while and then stop. Occassionally they may be due to: sudden excitement or emotional stress; a temporary swollen stomach caused by overeating, eating too fast, drinking fi zzy drinks or swallowing air; a sudden change in temperature; alcohol and excess smoking. In most cases, no treatment is required, but some remedies, though not scientifically tested, include: sipping iced water; biting on a lemon or tasting vinegar. If these (or any of your own remedies) donâ€™t work and they persist for more than 48 hours, consult your doctor. There may be an underlying disease of which over a hundred are known.
What are tick bite fever symptoms?
- I think I might have tick bite fever. What are the symptoms?
  
  Tick bite fever is caused by a bacteria (Rikettsia conorii) found in certain wild and domestic animals. Ticks acquire the organisms through feeding on these animals and, when the tick bites a human, the bacterium is transmitted in their saliva. The incubation period is about five days. Symptoms vary, but the typical triad includes fever, rash and a severe headache. There is often an eschar (a small, black ulcer two to five millimetres in diameter) or scab at the bite site. See a doctor immediately if any of these present. Use insect repellant if you â€˜re walking in the bush and have a good look for any ticks that may have latched on to you. If you do find one, use tweezers to firmly grasp its head, as close to the skin as possible. Pull firmly and steadily on the tick until it lets go of the skin.
Is antiperspirant deodorant harmful?
- Is antiperspirant deodorant harmful?
  
  Antiperspirants are different from deodorants in that in addition to a fragrance, they also contain chemical compounds that block the sweat pores. There have been claims that they prevent your body from sweating out toxins, which then build up in the lymph nodes resulting in breast cancer. Numerous studies have shown no correlation between the two. However, some antiperspirants may contain environmental toxins called phthalates. Phthalate exposure could potentially contribute to several problems, including male reproductive tract abnormalities. Whatâ€™s most disturbing is that no one really knows how phthalates affect humans since it has not been fully investigated. Next time you reach for the underarm charm, choose a toxin-free type.
Do I have an ulcer?
- Iâ€™ve had a lot of bad stomach aches lately. Could it be an ulcer?
  
  A peptic ulcer occurs when the acids that help you digest food damages the lining of the stomach or the duodenum ( the first part of your small intestine) A burning stomach pain is the most common symptom. This pain may come and go for a few days, may bother you more when your stomach is empty and usually goes away when you eat. The most common cause is infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, or the long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Stress and spicy foods do not cause ulcers, but can make them worse. If these symptoms persist you need to see your GP as untreated they will usually get worse. Treatment may include medicines to block stomach acids or antibiotics to kill ulcer-causing bacteria.
What are the benefits of probiotics?
- What are the benefits of probiotics?
  
  Probiotics are dietary supplements of live bacteria or yeasts. Theyâ€™re used to assist the bodyâ€™s naturallyoccurring gut flora to prevent the nasty foreign bacteria from taking hold. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is the most common type of microbe used, converting carbohydrates to lactic acid, lowering the pH and preventing the growth of opportunistic bacteria. Probiotics have been shown to: increase the bioavailability of protein and fats in the diet by breaking down these nutrients in the digestive tract; prevent and treat diarrhoea; improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome; reduce intestinal inflammation and hypersensitivity reactions in infants with food allergies; prevent and treat infections of the urinary tract; prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhoea by maintaining the normal balance of gut bacteria; and can prevent and manage eczema in children.
I have a black toenail from a trail run. How can I speed up my recovery?
- I have a black toenail from a trail run. How can I speed up my recovery?
  
  Black toenails are caused by the constant rubbing of your toe against the front of your shoe, causing bleeding under the nail. Once you have a black toenail, itâ€™s best to leave it alone as long as the pain is manageable. The damaged part of the nail will gradually be pushed off and a new nail will replace it. Donâ€™t force the old nail off â€“ it will fall off on its own. Things you can do to prevent it happening: 1. Wear properly sized shoes. 2. Trim your toenails frequently and correctly (straight across, without digging into the corners). 3. Tighten your laces snugly. This keeps your feet from sliding around. 4. Wear moisture-wicking socks that arenâ€™t too tight, as your feet swell when they get too hot. 5. Stretch your calf muscles. Tight calves can cause the toes to ram the top of the shoe with more force. For more see Cool Running
Does my prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reading vary during the day?
- Does my prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reading vary during the day, and if so, is there anything I shouldnâ€™t eat, drink or do before a reading?
  
  PSA is a tumour marker used to detect and monitor prostate cancer. The upper limit of normal is considered to be 4ng/mL, although a sudden rise is also significant. Serum PSA levels can fluctuate by up to 40 percent in an individual and may be due to infection, rectal examination, antibiotics, medicines such as finasteride for hair growth and even prolonged exercise or recent ejaculation. So if you do have a slightly elevated PSA, especially after a quickie in the morning, wait a day or two, then have another test before submitting for a prostate biopsy. Just donâ€™t ignore it.
I stare at a computer screen all day. How can I look after my eyes?
- I stare at a computer screen all day. How can I look after my eyes?
  
  1. Start focusing: Decreased focusing capability can be corrected by wearing a small plus-powered (+1.00 to +1.50) over-the-counter pair of specs to aid near focusing ability.
  2. Reduce glare: This can come from various sources, not just your computer. Several tools can be used to reduce glare. If you wear spectacles, get an antireflective coating.
  3. Adjust your monitor: Brightness settings should be in line with your work environment. Your monitor shouldnâ€™t be a light source.
  4. Rest your eye muscles: Consciously blink every now and then (this helps replenish the tear film). Focus on a distant object â€“ doing so provides rest to the ciliary muscles. Follow the 20/20 = 20 equation: every 20 minutes, focus your eyes on an object 20 feet (six metres) away for 20 seconds.
  5. Set up your workstation: Position your PC screen at the appropriate distance and level for your eyes.
How much water should really be drunk daily for optimal health?
- How much water should really be drunk daily for optimal health?
  
  This depends on a number of factors, one being how much fluid you are losing in the day. If you go for a run on a hot, humid day, youâ€™ll lose a lot more fluid than playing PlayStation at home. This fluid loss needs to be replaced. So it depends on the ambient temperature or climate and level of activity, but you also lose water through your breath, sweat, urine and bowel. Aim to drink about two to three litres per day. A good rule of thumb: drink enough so you rarely feel thirsty and produce approximately 1.5 litres or more of colourless or palecoloured urine per day.

*Men's Health does not give out contact information for experts featured in our magazine or on our web site, and queries addressed to these individuals cannot be forwarded on your behalf. If you require professional health and lifestyle advice, we strongly recommend that you contact your local service providers.

What do you think crosses the line into stalker territory? She...
	Asks your friends for details about what you like, your favourite food etc
	Checks your Facebook page often
	Drives past your house to see if you’re home
	Pitches up at your local haunt
	Phones you continuously

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