Q: My little girl, aged six, has an irritable bladder. She dribbles before she can get to the loo in time, despite medication from the consultant. Is it OK to let her use a panty liner to help stop getting sore?

A; It is a good idea to use a liner to mop up leaks and prevent smells and soreness. Rather than using a normal panty liner, however, use one designed specially for the job.

Tena have recently launched a small liner called Mini Magic which helps you stay eight times dried than a normal panty liner, and locks away odours so no-one need know she has a problem. Its small size makes it ideal for children and teens, as well as adults.

You can order a free sample on line from www.tenazestforlife.co.uk for by calling 0845 30808030 which is also an advice line.

Cotton socks can reduce sweating in smelly feet

Q: My husband suffers from smelly feet which is starting to get worse now the warmer weather is appearing. Can you suggest anything to help?

A: Good hygiene should always come first - encourage him to wash his feet at least once a day, as well as after exercise.

Buy him all-cotton socks rather than nylon mixtures that encourage sweating.

Keep toenails trimmed straight across and clean under them regularly with a nail file to remove the build-up of dead skin that harbours bacteria.

A spray called Peditech (from Boots and independent pharmacies) helps by both killing bacteria and reducing odours (www.peditech.com). It can also be sprayed inside shoes and trainers.

Alternatively, use an odour control system such as Profoot's Odour Max insoles that kill bugs using silver nanotechnology, and absorb odours via a carbon layer (www.profoot.co.uk).

Chiropractic is gentle enough for children

Q: My son complains of back and neck pain in the mornings after waking up.

Should he see a chiropractor?

A: Chiropractic can help relieve musculoskeletal pains and is gentle enough for use in children. Using a pillow that supports the neck is also worthwhile.

Cuski's Orthopaedic Pillow is designed for use by growing children (aged two or above) to both prevent and relieve neck/back pains and promote a more restful night's sleep.

Made from heat responsive, visco-elastic memory foam, it is anatomically designed to support the cervical bones and relieve pressure points (£35 including pillow case and draw-string carry bag) www.cuski.co.uk, Tel 01829 771825.

For teens and adults, try the JML Memory Foam Pillow that is contoured to support your head and neck (£24.99 from Boots).

Magnesium supplements can reduce breast pain

Q: I GET bad PMS with very tender breasts. I currently take 4g Evening Primrose Oil per day, and all tests by my doctor are normal.

I'm going through a lot of stress at work.

Is there a link between breast tenderness and stress?

A: Cyclical breast pain (mastalgia) is thought to result from hormone imbalances that make breast tissue tender, swollen and lumpy.

Two out of three women with mastalgia are helped by evening primrose oil supplements which are usually taken at a dose of 3g daily (equivalent to 240mg GLA).

The dose you are on is a little high, but is unlikely to cause serious side effects.

It also helps to increase your dietary intake of dark green, leafy vegetables, oily fish, nuts, seeds and wholegrains, and to cut back on caffeine, salt, saturated fats and processed foods.

Magnesium supplements can reduce premenstrual breast tenderness in around seven out of 10 women by maintaining sodium and potassium balance in and out of body cells.

Among the herbal remedies, Agnus Castus seems to be most effective and is often combined with other extracts such as St John's Wort (antidepressant), Black Cohosh (hormone balancing), and Dandelion (diuretic).

Stress can affect hormone balance through effects on the adrenal glands.

An adaptogen such as Siberian ginseng, which also helps sex hormone balance, is well worth trying.