What is the best remedy for flaky, itchy scalp? DR MARTIN SCURR answers your health questions –

I’ve had psoriasis on my scalp for years and nothing seems to help. My mother had it, as did my two children and my brother. I know there is no cure, but are there new treatments or studies?

Provided name and address.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes the accumulation of scaly patches on the skin, usually as a result of the acceleration in the production of skin cells. It is thought to be caused by a malfunction in the immune system.

The disease can have implications beyond the skin: for example, one in three people with the disease develops some form of joint arthritis. It can run in the family (as in your case), but smoking, obesity, and alcohol are also associated with an increased risk of developing it.

There is a broad spectrum of disease severity: I have seen patients with a 5-cent scaly plaque hidden in the scalp, but in others most of the body is affected.

I’m assuming you’ve tried shampoos containing coal tar, which slows the growth of new skin cells, and topical steroids like betamethasone to reduce inflammation.

But I wonder if he was given calcipotriol, a derivative of vitamin D. This has been shown to suppress cell growth, leading to the formation of scaly plaques.

It is a prescription treatment that hit the market in the 1990s and can produce surprising results. There is some evidence that it can fix the problem in 80% of scalp psoriasis patients.

Calcipotriol is available in combination with betamethasone as a gel or ointment (like Dovobet).

A more recent development is tacrolimus, a drug commonly used as an immunosuppressant in transplant patients and as an ointment to treat eczema. A liquor store may be prescribed for psoriasis. Evidence has shown that it is significantly better than calcipotriol.

I suggest you consult your doctor and request a tacrolimus test. Hope this helps.

Can you recommend a diet to reverse my weight loss? I have a good appetite but my weight has dropped 28 lbs in the last three years, I don’t know why. I am 5 feet 10 inches and 10 kilos (my BMI is 20). I am 80 years old.

Derrick Woodward

Northwich, Cheshire.

It is important to consult your doctor about such significant weight loss to rule out the possibility of a silent condition such as an overactive thyroid that can be easily checked with a blood test.

If that’s not a problem, my suspicion is that the cause is age-related muscle loss: The “weight” lost is actually muscle weight.

After middle age, we lose about 3% of muscle each year because it is produced more slowly than it is broken down. The way to combat this is a combination of exercise and diet.

When it comes to exercise, aim for three to four sessions of aerobic exercise and resistance training per week, with a minimum of 20 minutes per session.

Resistance training involves lifting weights or the use of resistance bands, while aerobic exercises include cycling, swimming, and even brisk walking.

It is important to consult your doctor about this type of significant weight loss to rule out the possibility of a silent condition such as an overactive thyroid that can be easily checked with a blood test.

It’s important to get enough protein when dieting – it helps build and strengthen muscle tissue, but more is needed as you age to trigger these signals. The building blocks of protein are amino acids (found in foods like meat, fish, and eggs).

Omega-3 fatty acids also play a role in muscle growth. The best source is oily fish, and canned fish is a good and affordable option.

You may also consider taking a vitamin D supplement. This has been shown to increase muscle strength and reduce the incidence of falls in older people. Ask your pharmacist for advice on the best formulation for you.

You can gain weight if you work hard enough, but don’t worry – your BMI of 20 is still in the healthy range.

write to scer

Write to Dr Scurr at Good Health, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT or email drmartin@dailymail.co.uk. Dr. Scurr cannot access personal communications. Answers should be taken in a general context and always consult your doctor if you have any health concerns.

I think it’s a risky crash for heart patients

A while ago a reader asked if an induction hob that had to be installed in his kitchen would interfere with his pacemaker as the hobs cause heating via magnetism.

After researching, I reassured him that there was no danger the distance of his chest from the stove as he stood by the stove.

However, a study recently published in the journal Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology raises concerns about a different technology.

Previous research has shown that the Apple iPhone 12 contains a magnet strong enough to affect the settings of an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator when worn near the front of the chest. But this new research shows that, in theory, the same goes for the Apple AirPods Pro and the charging case and Microsoft Surface Pen.

Therefore, do not carry these devices in your breast pocket – if they are kept away from the front of your chest, this will not be a problem.