A friend's 20-year-old son suffers from acne. The only solution his GP has offered is for him to go on a course of antibiotics for several months. He is reluctant to do this. Do you have any alternative suggestions?
His acne is most likely to be due to hormonal changes, nutritional imbalances, low friendly gut flora and the bacterium P. acne that is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Hormonal changes will cause the sebaceous glands to produce too much sebum, so the skin pores become blocked, causing bacteria to flourish. The following supplements are recommended: Methonine by Solgar, 500mg daily, to remove hormonal waste; 7,500IU (Solgar) Vitamin A a day, to heal the connective tissue and reduce inflammation; 30mg Lifetime Zinc Picolinate a day with meals, to help fight infection. The probiotic Nutrition Now PB 8 has eight strains of beneficial gut bacteria; one capsule to be taken daily with food. Advise your friend's son to reduce salt, saturated fats (meat and dairy), fried foods and sugars and to have plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially apricots, grapes and green leafy vegetables. Supplements are available from Victoria Health on 0800 389 8195.
I developed some patches of what seems to be eczema on one hand about six months ago. This coincided with a period of great stress. Over the past month or so, it has spread to the other hand. It is characterised by intensely itchy blisters, which erupt, leaving painful raw patches. After trying many treatments unsuccessfully, my GP recommended the long-term use of Dermovate, but this, too, has resulted in no improvement, and I am concerned about side-effects. Your help would be deeply appreciated.
If you are concerned about using Dermovate, a potent corticosteroid, ask your GP to advise you on reducing the use very gradually. You may have pompholyx eczema, which causes itchy, weepy blisters on the palm of the hand and is caused by stress and poor diet. Take a good multivitamin and mineral, such as Core Level Health Reserve, and blackcurrant seed oil, which can be applied to the skin to relieve eczema (call Nutri on 0800 212742). SK cream is a natural blend of ingredients, including camomile - known for its calming, antiseptic and antibacterial properties - and almond oil, which relieves itching and inflammation (01526 832491, or www.healingproduct.co.uk). For long-term relief, you need to find a way to reduce stress.
I am 63 and have had a rough chest cough for about two years, which is at its worst when I lie back, at various times during the day and when I first go to bed. I have had an x-ray, which was clear. My doctors say it is a nasal drip and I must live with it or use a nasal spray for ever. Can you suggest any alternatives?
N-acetyl cysteine, an amino acid, has been found to help with many respiratory problems. Take three 500mg capsules with meals with three 1,000mg vitamin C (Solgar; 01442 890355 for local supplier). The nasal drip may be due to an allergy; try avoiding dairy products, and if this doesn't make a difference ask your doctor to refer you for testing. Reduce salt intake and drink eight glasses of filtered water a day. Vaporise pine, eucalyptus, lavender and thyme essential oils in a vaporiser when you lie down (Tisserand aromatherapy products, 01273 325666).
· Emma Mitchell is a natural health therapist. Her recommendations are to be followed in conjunction with advice from your own healthcare provider. Send your questions to Wellbeing, Guardian Weekend, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER. Email: ask.emma@theguardian.com.
