Q. The area between my toes itches and is red.

Please check with a dermatologist if you are developing a fungal infection of the feet. If so, follow all the doctor’s instructions about medications. Inthe meanwhile:

• Keep your feet dry. After bathing, dry the area between the toes;

• Change and wash socks daily. Use cotton socks. Do not roll up used socks and store in your shoes;

• Try to alternate footwear;

• Apply henna paste to the area between the toes once a week. Henna is a potent traditional anti-fungal agent.

Workout fuel

Q. I go for a brisk 40-minute walk in the morning. Sometimes, I feel faint before I enter the house. Should I eat before leaving?

It is good to eat something (but not too much). Digestion requires blood flow to the intestines and muscles also require increased blood during the walk. So eat an hour before your workout. Try a banana and a cup of coffee, a handful of mixed nuts or a cup of cooked oats or ragi. You also need to eat or drink within an hour of finishing your workout.

Balance basics

Q. I am 54 years old and feel that my balance is not good. I suddenly experience a momentary loss of balance but I can correct myself before I actually fall.

Check your Vitamin D, calcium, blood sugar, lipid profile and ears. If all these are normal, you probably need to do a few balance exercises. Yoga has excellent core strengthening and balance exercises. You could also try heel-to-toe walking forwards and backwards, standing on one leg for five seconds and then on the other leg, and squatting.

When you do these exercises, remember to stand near a table or chair so that the momentary imbalance does not cause you to fall.

Stepstool help

Q. I have severe backache. I am on medication, wear a lumbosacral belt and have regular physiotherapy. I cannot stand to wash dishes and do my regular housework.

It will help if you purchase a four-inch wooden or plastic stool and stand with one leg on the stool and the other on the ground whenever you need to stand for prolonged periods. After 10 minutes, alternate the legs.

Insect bite

Q. My daughter gets bitten by insects when she cycles or plays outside. The area becomes red, swollen and itchy. She feels sleepy if given antihistamines.

First, wash the area with soap and water. Apply an ice cube for two minutes. Then apply a paste of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) for two hours. This usually relieves itching without medication.

Water wise

Q. Everyone says we should drink 2-3 litres of water a day. What is the best time to do this?

There is no hard and fast rule about how much water should be drunk. The urine should be light yellow in colour, and you should drink water before you feel thirsty. It also makes sense to start your day with a glass of water and to drink fluids before, during and after exercise.

Meals must

Q. In an effort to lose weight, I started skipping breakfast. It worked for some time but now I am gaining weight.

Skipping meals is a quick fix to maintain weight but it makes your body go into starvation mode. It thinks there is a famine and slows down metabolism to conserve calories. This can lead to hunger and overeating later. It may be a better idea to eat small meals at regular intervals.

The writer has a family practice at Vellore and is the author of Staying Healthy in Modern India. If you have any questions on health issues please write to yourhealthgm@yahoo.co.in