I KEEP getting bad dandruff but I don't understand as I wash my hair every day.

NOT brushing your hair regularly may result in dandruff as you are not allowing for the normal shedding of dead skin cells. The rate of shedding rises if the scalp is inflamed or itchy.

An overgrowth of yeast fungus can lead to dandruff. The condition may improve in summer and get worse in the winter because UVA light from the sun counteracts the fungus.

Dandruff can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin B, or essential fatty acids.

Also, if your diet is high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, it can make the condition worse.

You can reduce the frequency of bouts of dandruff by washing your hair every week or every other week with medicated shampoo.

In troublesome cases a potent scalp moisturiser can be helpful or, in some cases, antifungal or steroid-containing preparations can be tried. Take advice from your local pharmacist.

WHY can't I get my child vaccinated against chickenpox?

CHICKENPOX is usually a mild illness, particularly in children. The chickenpox vaccine is not part of the UK childhood vaccination programme, because experts think that introducing a chickenpox vaccination for children could increase the risk of shingles in older people.

The condition is so common in childhood that 90% of adults who grow up in the UK are immune to the virus because they have had it.

If your child has chickenpox, you should inform your child's school or nursery and keep them at home. The Health Protection Agency recommends that children be kept away from schools, nurseries or childminders for around five days after the start of the rash.

Chickenpox is no longer infectious once all the blisters have crusted over. This is usually about five to six days after the start of the rash. Your child can return to school after the last blister has burst and crusted over. Until then, your child is infectious.

RINGWORM is a common and highly contagious skin infection that causes a ring-like red rash.

The rash can appear almost anywhere on the body, with the scalp, feet and groin being common sites.

The condition, medically known as "tinea", isn't serious and is usually easily treated using creams that you can buy from the pharmacy. However, ringworm is highly contagious.

Despite its name, it doesn't have anything to do with worms. It's an infection of the skin caused by a fungus. You need to see your GP if you or your child have ringworm of the scalp, which is treated with antifungal tablets.