I HAVE unsightly flat, white patches on my hands and arms. They don’t cause me any pain and they aren’t itchy. Is it because I’ve had too much sun exposure?

It’s difficult to diagnose without seeing you but there is a condition called vitiligo that presents itself like this.

This is when some of your skin cells do not produce enough pigment called melanin, causing white patches to develop on your skin. These patches can be more evident when the surrounding skin tans. Areas most commonly affected by vitiligo include the face, neck and hands. About one in three people who have vitiligo have a relative who is affected by the condition.

The symptoms of vitiligo often appear on both sides of your body as symmetrical white patches. This is sometimes called bilateral, or generalised, vitiligo. Symmetrical patches can appear on the backs of your hands, arms, knees, elbows and feet.

Although its cause is not fully understood, vitiligo is thought to be an autoimmune condition. This means that your immune system does not work properly. Instead of attacking foreign cells, such as bacteria, your immune system produces antibodies that attack your body’s own healthy cells and tissue.

If you notice any changes to your skin that are different from usual, it merits a check up from your doctor to rule out any underlying significant condition that might need medical treatment.

I THINK my husband has OCD. He can’t leave the house until he’s repeatedly checked all the electrical appliances are switched off and plugs are pulled out of the wall. It has almost become like a ritual for him and he seems really anxious.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the most common mental health conditions and symptoms can range from mild to severe. For example, some people will spend around one hour a day engaged in obsessive compulsive thinking and behaviour, while for others, the symptoms completely dominate their life.

Some common types of compulsive behaviour include: Checking that doors are locked, and that gas taps and light switches are turned off, repetitive cleaning and washing, constantly repeating certain words or phrases in your mind,

and hoarding or collecting objects that usually have no value

Many people with obsessive compulsive disorder are reluctant to report their symptoms to a GP because they feel ashamed and embarrassed about their condition. It is also not unusual for a person with OCD to go to great lengths to disguise their symptoms from friends or family.

It is important to remember that there is nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. Like diabetes or asthma, OCD is a chronic health condition, and it is not your fault that you have developed it.

Sometimes, friends and relatives of a person with OCD find themselves ‘playing along’ with their strange behaviour in order not to upset them. This is not recommended because it can reinforce the person’s obsessive compulsive behaviour. It is better you confront your husband with the reality of his unusual behaviour and suggest that he seeks medical advice. It is a condition that usually responds well to treatment.

WHAT is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a chronic (long-term) skin condition that mainly affects the face.

Symptoms of rosacea change on a cases by case basis. Although the condition has a number of common symptoms, not everyone will experience these, common symptoms include flushing of the skin, persistent redness, visible blood vessels, thickened skin, spots and eye irritation.

As there is no clinical test for rosacea, your GP will make a diagnosis upon examining your skin, asking about your symptoms and pinpointing what triggers you may have. Common triggers include exposure to sunlight, stress and certain foods and drinks, ask your GP for more information to try and find out what is triggering your rosacea.

Although there is no cure for rosacea, the symptoms of the condition can be treated and controlled in a variety of ways. Creams and gels can be effective in treating the spots and papules caused by rosacea, while lifestyle changes to avoid common triggers can help prevent facial flushing.

In more serious cases, where spots and papules are more severe, oral antibiotics may be recommended to reduce the inflammation of the skin. Laser treatment is the most common procedure for this, however this isn't available on the NHS, so you may have to pay for it.