I'M a 50-year-old woman.

Recently the tops of my toes have become very red, painful and sensitive. I've had a 10 day course of antibiotics but it has made no difference. There are also a few very red and shiny areas also on some of my toes. Please help.

l It would be worthwhile returning to your GP and letting them see the areas again.

While infection is one possibility and you have been given an antibiotic for that, there are other conditions that may fit the description given.

Ask your GP or local Pharmacist if the redness could be "chilblains". These are areas of skin which have been subject to cold and have become hyper sensitive. There are some medicines that can help as well as simple measures like wearing leggings or thicker tights.

Please see what more your GP can do for you.

I HAVE had dry eyes for ages. They burn and nip almost all the time. Can you help?

l Dry eyes can be very irritating and uncomfortable.

On occasion, dry eyes can be part of other conditions that affect joints or tissues around joints.

It would be worth describing this to your GP who can take a history from you about your health in general and if there are any other associated symptoms that merit investigation with dry eyes.

If your sight deteriorates suddenly, you become sensitive to light or there is new redness or pain in the eye please see your GP more urgently or contact NHS24 if it is in the Out of Hours period.

WHAT IS...RINGWORM?

THIS is a general term used to refer to a number of different contagious fungal infections of the skin, scalp or nails. The condition is known as ringworm because it can leave a ring-like red rash on the skin. It does not have anything to do with worms.

Ringworm is a very common condition. Symptoms: The symptoms of scalp ringworm include the appearance of small patches of scaly skin on the scalp which may be inflamed and feel tender or painful.

The symptoms of body ringworm include:

l The appearance of a ring-like, red rash on your skin; skin will appear red and inflamed around the rim of the ring, yet appear healthy inside the ring,

l The ring may multiply and grow,

l Rings can also merge together,

l The rings will feel slightly raised to the touch, and

l The skin under the rash may feel itchy.

Diagnosis: Most cases of body ringworm and groin infection can be diagnosed by your GP.Further testing is usually only required if your symptoms are severe, or if they do not respond to treatment.

Treatment: Most cases of skin ringworm and groin infections can be treated using an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal cream. Scalp ringworm is usually treated using antifungal tablets (oral antifungals).