OUR resident specialist and NHS GP, Dr Zoe Williams, shares her expert advice.
Today, Dr Zoe helps a reader who has noticed marks on their skin.
Q) I HAVE some skin marks that I first noticed last year. I tried to see my doctor but could only get a phone consultation which, as you can imagine, was useless.
They wanted me to email a picture, but I couldn’t access the site.
I’ve used a steroid cream, which I had for a different issue, and found it makes the marks go, but after a while, more appear elsewhere.
They aren’t sore or itchy, but this is really getting me down. Can you help?
A) Thank you for sending the images of the rash, which appear to show oval salmon-pink-coloured patches on your torso.
While seeing images of skin is helpful, we doctors usually need to get a history from the patient in order to make a diagnosis.
I would like to know if, prior to the rash appearing, there was a single larger patch that came up first.
If this was the case, then that would likely be the herald patch – a sign of the harmless skin condition pityriasis rosea.
It usually gets better on its own over the course of around four to ten weeks.
You say you first noticed skin marks a year ago, but I’m unsure if there was a period in between where it cleared. This could be a second episode of it.
If this sounds likely, it will resolve on its own and a mild steroid cream can alleviate any discomfort if there is any. If you do not think it is this, then you need a consultation with a GP.
TIP: As we enjoy the summer, try to refrain from wearing sandals and flip-flops too often.
Their lack of support can lead to calluses, corns and issues like plantar fasciitis, which causes heel pain.
LYDIA Bright has admitted it’s been a “whirlwind week” after James Argent’s ex Nicoline slammed the Towie star and her family.
Yesterday James’ ex-girlfriend Nicoline Artursson hit out at his “controlling ex” for causing major issues with their ill-fated relationship.
In an 800-word statement, Nicoline finally spoke in depth about the domestic abuse she suffered at the hands of James, 37, last month.
The Swedish beauty. 32, queen was injured after being pushed down steps outside the home they shared in Spain.
He was arrested and spent several hours in police cells before admitting a charge of domestic violence in court.
Nicoline has claimed former Towie star Lydia – who dated Arg on/off between 2007 to 2016 – was an unwelcome, interfering presence during their year together.
Earlier today, Lydia, 34, took to Instagram to share a card that she received from her parents Debbie Douglas and Dave Bright.
The message read: “We are so proud of you. Keep your face to the sun and keep shining. Mummy and Daddy.”
In front of the card, it said: “Keep shining bright.”
Lydia captioned it: “After a whirlwind week, this is exactly what I needed, a slow morning.
“Banana pancakes, Disney on the sofa and a catch up with mum and dad.”
She also shared a photo of a sunflower that her mum bought her and said it’s “a burst of sunshine, positivity and happiness.”
Lydia’s supportive message from her parents comes just hours after James’ ex Nicoline issued a social media statement.
The model said: “I felt there were too many people in our relationship: me, my boyfriend and his ex. ‘Three’s a crowd’, they say.
“I asked so many times if we could be just the two of us, but the answer was a strong NO.
“I experienced what I can only describe as targeted emotional distress which he allowed to continue.”
Nicoline continued: “After being together for one year my boyfriend finally promised me that he would have boundaries.
“He would put a stop to all that had been going on for months.
“But he didn’t. Instead he broke the promise and her controlling behaviour continued. The rest is history.”
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
Argent and Lydia’s love story started off screen nearly two decades ago when they were teens and their drama-filled romance made legendary TV on the ITVBe show – gripping viewers with its constant twists and turns.
They split in 2012, and Argent was accused of calling her a “sl*t” in text messages after learning she’d slept with someone else following their separation.
Despite this, they have maintained a close friendship and Lydia views Argent as an uncle to her daughter, Loretta, five.
She has stuck by her ex and close friend following his arrest and insists he’s not a violent man.
A friend who knows both Lydia and Arg very well tells The Sun: “When it comes to what happened with Arg and Nicoline, Lydia would never condone violence and has made that very clear to James, but she doesn’t think that he is a violent man and she knows he deeply regrets the events of that night.
“She has stuck by him, even though she doesn’t agree with his actions – just as his other mates like Mark Wright have.”
Lydia was also there for Argent when his weight ballooned to nearly 30 stone amid drug and food addiction.
It’s now been a month. I still can’t believe it.
My fractures on my body have finally healed but I’m wounded inside. I’ve been quiet long enough. Silence protects no one – and it almost destroyed me.
What started as a love story sadly turned into something else. Behind the pictures, promises and the plans for a life together – the beautiful days – changed into something into sadness with emotional manipulation and eventually physical harm.
I loved deeply, believed in our future and stood by someone I thought would protect me and instead I was left alone and harmed in ways I never imagined.
I was not only failed by him but deeply affected by the presence of unresolved ties to his past.
Yes I posted an Instagram story with a simple yes or no question about if your ex should be a part of your present relationship. I felt there were too many people in our relationship: me, my boyfriend and his ex. ‘Three’s a crowd’, they say.
I asked so many times if we could be just the two of us, but the answer was a strong NO. I experienced what I can only describe as targeted emotional distress which he allowed to continue.
The ex and her family put us through so much misery and false accusations, I won’t go into details. They had no reason whatsoever to do what they did to us, but for some reason they wouldn’t let go and let us enjoy our love.
Everybody knows that real friends support you and want to see you happy.
So I posted a story on Instagram.
After being together for one year my boyfriend finally promised me that he would have boundaries.
He would put a stop to all that had been going on for months.
But he didn’t. Instead he broke the promise and her controlling behaviour continued. The rest is history.
I was brutally thrown out of our new home in the middle of the night wearing only my pyjamas. I opened the door to let him in and only minutes after I found myself laying down on the stairs outside our house.
My clothes and belongings were being thrown out from the balcony down on me. I was injured.
Thanks to incredible neighbours who heard and saw what happened and acted, I got help. They called police, brought me to safety and ensured the incident was taken seriously.
A gentleman does not abuse you and end up in jail and call you the love of his life. A gentleman does not blame you for his actions. A gentleman will confide in his partner, family and close circle of friends, keeping them close and safe. A gentleman chooses you always and leaves the past in the past – including exes.
Life is to be lived together and not to please people who want to take advantage of you. At the end of the day, fame can only do so much – it’s all about being strong and growing together.
Life is simply not a reality TV show, life is real.
I have tried to understand why. I have cried so many tears thinking about the way he chose to hurt me. He said he loved me and I believed him and here we are.
There is now a legal record of what happened. Violence has no excuse – no matter how much love preceded it.
To those who questioned me for staying as long as I did: I stayed because I believed in love. I believed he and we could grow, could heal, could choose peace. But love doesn’t survive in chaos. And it cannot survive where violence lives.
To every woman reading this: if you’ve ever questioned your worth, your safety or your sanity in a relationship – this is your sign. You deserved to be loved with care and integrity. And you are not alone.
To the men: real strength is protection. Real love is safe. Be the kind of man who lifts women up – not one who breaks them down, neither by violence or silence.
To the future: never say never. I will get the little family I’ve always dreamed of and have my dream wedding to symbolise and celebrate true love in front of my dear family and friends.
I’m healing now. Slowly, bravely and unapologetically. I will rise and I will use my voice – not for vengeance but for truth. For every woman who’s been silenced by someone who said ‘I love you’ and then proved otherwise.
This is not just my story. It’s a reminder: abuse – whether emotional, psychological or physical – has no place in love.
ENGLAND UNDER-21 star Hayden Hackney is on managerless Tottenham’s transfer radar.
The Middlesbrough midfielder, 22, looks set to leave his boyhood club after their failure to win Championship promotion.
The £20m-rated ace has already proven he can cut it against the big boys of the Premier League with stand-out cup displays against both Chelsea and Aston Villa last season.
Now he hopes to catch the eye at this month’s U21 European Championship in Slovakia.
A host of clubs have been monitoring Hackney for several months, including Portuguese giants Porto who had a measly £9m bid rejected in January.
German side Stuttgart are also keen as are Crystal Palace, but Sun Sport understands that Spurs’ scouts have also been running the rule over Hackney.
Tottenham talent spotters will also be out in Slovakia to watch the action closely and, if Hackney shines for Lee Carsley’s side, they could give the green light for the club move despite not yet appointing a replacement for axed Ange Postecoglou.
Middlesbrough are in no rush to sell their home-grown star and could even squeeze a couple more million onto his price tag depending on how he performs at the Euros.
They are also searching for a new manager in their own right following the decision to axe Michael Carrick on Wednesday.
And despite still having some money in the bank from selling Emmanuel Latte Lath in January, cashing in on Hackney would help them add to any incoming coach’s transfer kitty.
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England kick-off their Euro campaign against the Czech Republic on Thursday.
They then face Slovenia three days later and finish the group stage against Germany on Wednesday 18 June.
All of England’s matches are being broadcast live on Channel 4.
NEWCASTLE will try to rescue Jack Grealish from his Manchester City hell – but only on loan.
The Toon are keen on Grealish, 29, who is on his way out of the Etihad.
The £100million man was snubbed when City named their Fifa Club World Cup squad.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe will turn his interest into an approach if City look at sending Grealish and his £300,000-a-week wages elsewhere for the season.
And that will become even more of a Newcastle priority if offers come in for Anthony Gordon over the summer.
Grealish will have a few clubs after him.
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But it is unlikely that any will pay a fee and take on his monster salary.
Even a straight loan is a challenge for most.
So City may have to sponsor a deal and pay part of his wage for a year.
As previously reported by SunSport, the Citizens face taking a £60m hit on their record transfer.
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Grealish – who managed just one Prem goal and one assist in 2024-25 – has been told there is no way back for him under Pep Guardiola.
And the playmaker appeared to take a swipe at his boss on social.
He responded to comments from ex-Aston Villa team-mate Gabriel Agbonlahor regarding the gaffer’s decision to give Claudio Echeverri his City debut in the FA Cup final – and leave Grealish on the bench.
Agbonhalor said: “I think towards the end of the season, it felt to me like it got a bit personal.
“Bringing on a young kid for his debut in an FA Cup final when you’re chasing a goal, when you’ve got someone who’s had the career Jack’s had just seemed a bit odd.
“That seemed a bit personal to me, like a last little dig to get you out, to upset you, to (make) you want to move. But we’ve seen this before from Pep.
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“Pep can be ruthless at times. If he feels that you’re not part of his future plans, he will get rid of you.”
When talkSPORT posted the clip to Instagram, Grealish commented, appearing to point to how many sub appearances he’s made: “What u want me to do score a hatty in 20?”
Kevin De Bruyne suffered a similar fate by being pushed out by the Spanish manager – with Kyle Walker and John Stones likely to follow suit.
AC Milan playmaker Tijjani Reijnders is on his way for £46.2m and City are understood to have agreed a £30m deal for Lyon ace Rayan Cherki.
Rayan Ait-Nouri’s £34m move from Wolves should also be finalised in time for him to fly out with City next week.
I PRIDE myself on being a great gift giver, and with Father’s Day fast approaching, I’ve scoured the shelves to find the best grooming gifts out there – so you’re guaranteed to be in the good books.
Next The Well Groomed Essentials box, £20, next.co.uk: If you’re on a budget, but want to spoil your dad, this is the best bet.
The seven products work out at less than £3 a pop, but would cost £77 if bought separately.
There are cult brands such as Emma Hardie, Dr Paw Paw and This Works, alongside grooming heroes such as Hawkins & Brimble daily energising moisturiser 100ml(worth £15 alone) and Percy Nobleman caffeine shampoo & body wash 200ml (worth £13).
With its range of products, it’s a real beginner’s starter kit – so you don’t need to be into grooming to enjoy it.
LookFantastic The Father’s Day Edit, £45, lookfantastic.com: Worth £180, this gift set undoubtedly gives you the best bang for your buck.
There are nine grooming products – six of which are full-sized, including REN Clean Skincare Everhydrate marine moisture serum, which has an RRP of £40, almost paying for the entire box itself.
Among the miniatures, is a deluxe-size Elemis pro-collagen energising marine cleanser, and even a travel-friendly Jo Malone cypress and grapevine intense cologne, which is a rare find.
The edit is slightly more skincare-focused than Next’s box, so one for dads into self-care.
Dior Sauvage Skincare Ritual Kit, £103, dior.com: Dior Sauvage seems to be the go-to fragrance for pretty much every man in London, and when I gifted my brother skincare from the franchise for Christmas, he was over the moon.
The three-step routine is suitable for all skin types.
It features a charcoal-based cleanser to balance oil production; a soothing toner that contains cactus water to reduce redness; and a nourishing serum that promises to keep skin moisturised for 100 hours – although, you really should be washing and reapplying in that time.
IF your dad is more into fragrance than skincare, there are two new limited-edition scents to sniff out.
Armani Stronger With You Sandalwood, £122 for 100ml, is rich and leathery with notes of spicy saffron, creamy chestnut and smokey wood.
It feels like pure luxury.
Hugo Boss – Boss Bottled Bold Citrus, £52.99 for 50ml, is lighter, with notes of lemon, bergamot and patchouli. See theperfumeshop.com.
Герцогиня Сассекська у своєму подкасті Confessions of a Female Founder розкрила незвичайні подробиці своїх вагітностей. Меган Маркл зізналася, що дотримувалася принципів аюрведичної медицини. Під час виношування доньки Лілібет колишня актриса вживала напої, збагачені куркумою та адаптогенами, — не всі лікарі впевнені у їхній користі. Також Меган зізналася, що у неї в планах було народжувати вдома […]