The virus that causes cold sores, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) or human herpes virus 1 (HHV-1) is extremely common. We are probably exposed to it in childhood, usually through oral contact and kissing.  It can also be sexually transmitted from mouth-to-genital contact and as it is highly … [Read more...] about From cold sores to head knocks: unravelling the Alzheimer’s link

We’ve had a good Christmas and we were lucky enough to have a week away after Christmas with the kids which we were very grateful for, despite the 12-13 hour drive as the rest of the continent seemed to have the same idea.  Long travel times, not drinking enough or eating enough fruit or vegetables, … [Read more...] about The cheeky truth about laxative rashes

As we approach Christmas, I do get sad from time to time as it was a time of year my dad really liked.  He loved giving, especially to his grandchildren and he absolutely loved Christmas day and the meal and most importantly the sprouts!  Last year was the first Christmas without him and it was … [Read more...] about Christmas is a time for giving

Acne must be the most common presenting complaint for any teenager seeking dermatological advice and it now also seems to be on the rise. A recent paper in the British Journal of Dermatology looked at trends in the incidence of acne among adolescents and young adults aged 10-24y globally and … [Read more...] about The increasing incidence of acne

Almost a year ago, I wrote about the resurgence of bed bugs due to the boom in travel after the pandemic together with their resistance to the traditional insecticides used to eradicate them.  The outlook was gloomy, with the advice to stringently check any bed before lying on it and get in a … [Read more...] about The ongoing battle with the bedbug

The summer holidays are over, term has restarted for a couple of my kids, one is off to university shortly and we’re back at work.  A huge part of a dermatologist’s work, in the south east of England at least, is in skin cancer management.  The majority of skin cancers we see are directly linked to … [Read more...] about Looking on the bright side

Diabetic medications such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) have become increasingly popular ever since their weight loss potential has been promoted. However, concerns have started to be raised about the link between these weight loss drugs (called GLP-1 inhibitors) and a type … [Read more...] about The perils of trying to lose weight

My kids used to think it was great, usually when I’m in the middle of doing something else, to throw at me the most absurd questions, such as, “Mum, what would you rather do?  Jump into a pit of poisonous snakes or walk through a tunnel of deadly spiders?”  Er, neither, would be my preferred answer … [Read more...] about The mechanisms behind itching – the ultimate puzzle

As a dermatologist, we see problems with the skin day in day out as our job, and we are in the position where we get queries about which products to use on the skin, not necessarily to treat a primary skin condition but more to do with every day use. It is interesting to know that we are commonly … [Read more...] about How ‘clean’ is a ‘clean’ product?

In November of last year, I wrote about the bed bug outbreak which was due to a combination of resurgence in travel after the pandemic together with widespread bed bug resistance to pesticides.   It seems that another mite has also developed resistance to conventional treatment.  I only … [Read more...] about The resistance of the scabies mite