I am thinking of having a facelift. What would happen and how much would it cost?

A facelift (rhytidectomy) is cosmetic surgery to lift up and pull back the skin to make the face tighter and smoother.

The procedure is designed to reduce flabby or sagging skin around the lower half of the face (mainly the jowls) and neck.

If you’re thinking of going ahead, be absolutely sure about your reasons for wanting a facelift and don’t rush into it. The procedure can be expensive, the results can’t be guaranteed, and there are risks to consider.

It’s a good idea to discuss your plans with your GP first. You can also read Is cosmetic surgery right for me?.

In the UK, the cost of a facelift can vary greatly from clinic to clinic and depending on the extent of the procedure.

Expect to pay anything from a few thousand pounds for a mini facelift to £10,000 for a face and neck lift.

I have been filling ill since I came home from a country where Malaria is known to be a problem. How would I know if I had it?

Malaria is a serious tropical disease spread by mosquitoes. If it isn’t diagnosed and treated promptly, it can be fatal.

A single mosquito bite is all it takes for someone to become infected.

Symptoms of malaria

It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of malaria if you’re travelling to areas where there’s a high risk of the disease. Symptoms include:

a high temperature (fever)

sweats and chills

headaches

vomiting

muscle pains

diarrhoea

Symptoms usually appear between seven and 18 days after becoming infected, but in some cases the symptoms may not appear for up to a year, or occasionally even longer.

Seek medical help immediately if you develop symptoms of malaria during or after a visit to an area where the disease is found.

What is Impetigo?

Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection that causes sores and blisters. It’s not usually serious and often improves within a week of treatment or within a few weeks without treatment.

Impetigo is the most common skin infection in young children in the UK, but it can affect people of all ages.

There are two types of impetigo non-bullous impetigo – the most common type and bullous impetigo.

The symptoms of non-bullous impetigo begin with the appearance of red sores – usually around the nose and mouth but other areas of the face and the limbs can also be affected.

Impetigo isn’t usually serious, but it can sometimes have similar symptoms to more serious conditions such as cellulitis (an infection of the deeper layers of skin) so it’s important to get a correct diagnosis.