George Crooks solves your medical problems - what is conjunctivitis?

Your husband is correct - you shouldn't burst a blister. Blisters are small pockets of fluid that usually form in the upper layers of skin after it's been damaged. Fluid collects under the damaged skin, cushioning the tissue underneath. This protects the tissue from further damage and allows it to heal.

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If the blister does burst, don't peel off the dead skin. Instead, allow the fluid inside the blister to drain and cover the area with a dry, sterile dressing to protect it from infection until it heals.

Bursting the blister could lead to an infection or slow down the healing process. An infected blister will be filled with yellow or green pus and may be painful, red and hot and it is important not to ignore an infected blister as it could lead to secondary impetigo (a contagious bacterial infection of the skin) and further complications, such as cellulitis or sepsis. IF you are concerned about the appearance of a blister you could show it to your pharmacist or GP

Wearing well fitting shoes, keeping feet dry with talcum power or thicker socks can help prevent blisters on the feet. For more information on treating blisters, visit www.nhsinform.co.uk

I HAVE given up smoking, sort of. I have relapsed a few times but I am determined to give up. Help!

Well done for sticking with it. Stopping smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health and your bank balance.

If you need additional support, contact the Smokeline service, at www.canstopsmoking.com . You can have a free webchat whenever you feel you need a little extra motivation. You can also call 0800 84 84 84 for free advice or even stay inspired by text message.

The smokeline website has plenty of helpful advice, tips and support for you to give up for good. Your GP and local pharmacy can also help with stop smoking support. Many people relapse but the important thing is to see these moments for what they are and focus on the goal of becoming smoke free. Good luck!

WHAT is conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis is a common condition that causes redness and inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that covers the front of the eye (the conjunctiva).

People often refer to conjunctivitis as red eye.

Symptoms

The symptoms of conjunctivitis will depend on the cause, but generally they include

eye redness which happens as a result of the inflammation and widening of the tiny blood vessels in the conjunctiva (thin layer of cells that covers the front of the eyes) and watering eyes. The conjunctiva contains thousands of cells that produce mucus and tiny glands that produce tears – inflammation causes the glands to become overactive, so that they water more than usual

Although only one eye tends to be affected at first, symptoms usually affect both eyes within a few hours.

There are two types of conjunctivitis, allergic, where the pattern of symptoms will depend on what you are allergic to, for example, some people are allergic to wearing contact lenses, which is known as giant papillary conjunctivitis. The symptoms progress much more slowly and you may also develop small spots on the inside of your upper eyelids. This type of conjunctivitis carries a high risk of complications so you need to get medical advice.

More typically, those allergic to pollen will suffer conjunctivitis over the spring and summer months.

Infective conjunctivitis can give a burning sensation or feeling of grit in your eyes. This is often accompanied by a sticky coating on the eyelashes – usually when you first wake in the morning and an enlarged lymph node in front of the ear.

Diagnosis

In many areas Optometrists in the community can help with eye symptoms and you could seek help there. However if this is not the case then speak to your pharmacist or GP. It can be helpful to describe to a clinician how your conjunctivitis started as this will help them diagnose which type it is and how it needs to be managed.

The most common symptoms of infective conjunctivitis are sticky, red and watery eyes. However, infective conjunctivitis can sometimes be confused with other types of conjunctivitis, which are treated differently.

Your clinician may suggest further tests (such as a swab test) if your conjunctivitis hasn't responded to treatment or to help decide what treatment to use.

A swab looks similar to a small cotton bud. It's used to collect a small sample of mucus from your infected eye, which is sent to a laboratory to find out the cause of your conjunctivitis.

Treatment

Most cases of conjunctivitis clear within one to two weeks, sometimes sooner, without needing any medical treatment. In some cases it can last for longer than two weeks, which is known as persistent infective conjunctivitis.

If you have any unusual symptoms such as severe pain, blurred vision or sensitivity to light, these may mean that you have a more serious condition and you should seek medical advice urgently.

There are several ways that you can treat infective conjunctivitis at home. The following advice should help ease your symptoms:

• Remove your contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, take them out until all the signs and symptoms of the infection have gone. Avoid using contact lenses until 24 hours after you have finished a course of treatment. Do not re-use the lenses after the infection has passed as the old lens could be a potential source of re-infection.

• Use lubricant eye drops. These are available over the counter at pharmacies or they may be prescribed for you. They may help ease any soreness and stickiness in your eyes. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Gently clean away sticky discharge from your eyelids and lashes using cotton wool soaked in water.

• Wash your hands regularly. This is particularly important after you have touched your infected eyes and will stop the infection spreading to other people.