DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a woman of 80 years, small and rather thin (110 pounds). I have noticed in the past few months that I awaken with bruises on my arms and legs. Their size varies from small to one inch around. This occurs several times in a week. I sleep alone. Do you have any thoughts on why this occurs?

DEAR REA:<$> As we age, our skin changes. It becomes thinner, less smooth and more susceptible to trauma. Also, tiny veins in the skin’s surface become more fragile, leading to bruising that occurs without trauma. Called “spontaneous ecchymosis,” the condition is harmless but cosmetically troublesome. I believe you can safely disregard your spontaneous bruising.

Having said this, I would hate to be caught missing a coagulation defect. I urge you to ask your primary care physician to authorise a blood count and clotting tests to make certain your blood cells and clotting factors are normal.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Blood: Donations and Disorders.”

Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR DR. T:<$> When I was in World War II, in Europe, my feet froze. For the last few months, my feet have had a numb feeling, and the doctor told me he could give me medicine for this, but I would have to take it for the rest of my life. I am 90 years old. He doesn’t discuss any side effects. He just says the numbness was from my frozen feet. I now take blood pressure pills and am in pretty good shape.

DEAR DR,TT:<$> Frostbite is a form of vascular trauma. Tiny arteries in the feet and hands freeze and are damaged permanently. This leads to numbness and other symptoms.

Although frost injury may be your problem, I’m surprised that you have been free of symptoms for decades. A more likely culprit is the normal ageing process in an elderly gentleman, accentuated by the frostbite.

You need testing of the arteries in your legs and pelvis to make sure your basic problem is not arteriosclerotic blockages in the arteries. I am not familiar with any medicine that will treat frostbite, but arterial blockage can be helped in a variety of ways.

If I were you, I’d continue being feisty, inquisitive and physically active. Forget any medicine for frostbite.

DEAR DROTT:<$> My son, a young adult, uses Nasonex for his allergies. Is there something better or different he could be doing to help himself? Please advise.

DEARADER:<$> Your son may fare better if he were to use the prescription Zyrtec or non-prescription Claritin. Neither of these drugs will cause drowsiness or other side effects and do not affect the nose or sinus openings.