I've recently had an ingrown toenail removed and I don't want it to reoccur. What can I do to prevent it happening again?

Your chances of developing an ingrown toenail are reduced if you cut your nails properly. Nails should not be cut too short, and should be cut in a straight line without rounding the corners. You might find that it helps to cut your toenails after a bath or a shower when they are soft.

You should also wear shoes, socks, and tights that fit properly. Shoes that are too narrow, or too short, can cause your toes to crowd, whereas shoes that are too loose can put pressure on your toes when you walk.

See your GP, or a podiatrist (foot care specialist), for advice and care if you suspect a problem.

What happens if you consume too much Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is known as an ascorbic acid. It has several important functions. For example, it:

• helps protect cells and keeps them healthy

• is necessary for the maintenance of healthy connective tissue, which gives support and structure for other tissue and organs

A lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy. Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. Good sources include:

• peppers

• broccoli

• Brussels sprouts

• sweet potatoes

• oranges

• kiwi fruit

It cannot be stored in the body, so you need it in your diet very regularly. You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need from a normal well varied diet.

What is Japanese Encephalitis?

Japanese encephalitis is a type of viral brain infection that is spread through mosquito bites. It’s common in rural areas throughout Southeast Asia, the Pacific islands and the Far East.

The virus is found in pigs and birds, and is passed to mosquitoes that bite the infected animals. It’s more common in rural areas where there are pig farms and rice fields. It cannot be spread from human to human.

Most people who are infected by the Japanese encephalitis virus do not develop any symptoms, or they get only mild, flu-like symptoms.

However, around one person in 250 infected by the virus has serious and severe symptoms, including:

• being sick

• seizures (fits)

• headache

• mental confusion

The virus can cause swelling inside the brain (encephalitis), leading to increased pressure in the brain. This can cause permanent brain damage. Around one in three cases of encephalitis is fatal.

It’s rare for travellers from outside the region to be affected by Japanese encephalitis. It is estimated that only one in 1 million travellers will develop Japanese encephalitis in any year.

People who live and work in rural areas in parts of the world where the condition is widespread are most at risk. Around 9 out of 10 cases involve children under the age of 15 years.

There are an estimated 70,000 new cases every year, half of which occur in China. Two vaccines are available for Japanese encephalitis. Vaccination is normally recommended if:

• You are planning to spend a month or longer in a high-risk country during the rainy season.

• You are planning to visit any rural areas in high-risk countries, even if only for a short time.

• You will be taking part in any activities that may increase your risk of becoming infected, such as visiting rice fields or pig farms, cycling or camping.

You will normally have to pay for the vaccine.