Ask the doctor: Water retention and vitamin C

Dear doctor, I have swelling under my eyes. Is this water retention?

Yes, water retention can present as swelling under the eyes. The causes can be localised like infections, inflammations and allergies.

But there could also be more serious causes like kidney disease, hypertension or diabetes. Please visit your doctor so you can get a full examination and diagnosis.

Dear doctor, what are the benefits of vitamin C?

Vitamin C has really great health benefits. And you can get it from citrus fruit or bright coloured vegetables so you don’t need to take supplements.

It’s an antioxidant so it might help protect against many chronic illnesses like high blood pressure and decrease risk of heart disease. It boosts your immune system. It also prevents colds and flu.

Dear doctor, my son keeps getting grey, scratchy, patchy skin on his head. What could this be?

It could be a fungal infection, or allergic reaction. Scratching and touching this can lead to secondary bacterial infections. Please see a doctor so they can examine the patch and treat it accordingly

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