I spend just over an hour a day on a bike as I cycle to and from work. I used to have eczema when I was younger, but it wasn't all that serious. Since I've started cycling every day, I've been getting a rash all over my torso, particularly on my back. It's getting worse as the weather gets hotter, and it's really sore and itchy whenever I get sweaty. It doesn't help that there's no shower at work so I can't wash properly after cycling there. When I go to the doctor they just tell me to use Eumovate and anti-histamines - the Eumovate clears my skin temporarily but as soon as I stop using it, the rashes come back. I also can't carry on using it indefinitely as it damages your skin, but I don't want to have to stop cycling either. Are there any less damaging, and more long term, solutions?

Ah, lovely heat rash. It seems to run in my family, and me, my sister and my dad suffer horribly. My sister and I are both fair skinned and we both flake out at any sign of hot weather.

I used to get it really badly, with someone once describing my skin as looking like raw meat. Very unpleasant, especially when it happened every year. I couldn’t go outside on hot days as it would flare up with only 15 minutes exposure. In 2000 I planned a trip to Africa for a couple of months and I was determined that my holiday wouldn’t be ruined by the stupid rash.

My mum happened to come across an article in a magazine about a woman who had discovered a treatment for it. I took a copy of the article to my GP, having had no luck with him before, and he made an appointment for me at the local hospital.

The treatment was amazing, and worked incredibly well. I now only get the odd spot here and there and have had no problems since. The treatment is the same as they use for psoriasis and is called PUVA.

Basically you take a tablet that sensitises your skin to UVA. You’re then given very controlled doses of UVA in a tanning whatnot. This is gradually built up over a period of time and protects you from the sun. No idea how it works, but it’s magic. Only problem is you have to be committed - I had to go into the hospital twice a week for 8 weeks, and it was a real drag, but worth it in the end.

I’d say that this treatment should really be a last resort if you can’t find anything else. It's a little extreme and prolonged treatment is known to increase the risk of skin cancer and there can be some less serious side effects (nausea, headaches, sunburn etc.). As I only needed one round of treatment, it shouldn’t be harmful, but I do keep an eye on moles etc (suppose we should all do that anyway!). On the plus side, you get a great tan – something very novel for me! I know it’s the only thing that’s worked for me, but I suspect I’m quite a severe case.

Hope this is useful. The only other relief seems to keep as cool as you can and stay out of the sun. Can’t you talk nicely to your boss and get a shower installed? I’m on that campaign myself at the mo.

Sorry for the essay!