Dear Dr. Gott: I'm a 62-year-old female and have had tinnitus for more than 20 years. You once wrote about something that would help a person with ringing in the ears.

I did construction work for 10 years and had to work in a room with very loud noises all that time. I guess that's where the problem originated.

Dea reader: Tinnitus affects more than 12 million Americans. It is recognised as a ringing, roaring, clicking or hissing in the ear. Causes vary but are often the result of hearing impairment, such as through the noise exposure at your workplace. It can also be a common side effect of many medications.

Your first step is to see an audiologist or otolaryngologist to determine the cause of the tinnitus. Perhaps hearing aids will solve your problem.

They are well-advanced in comparison to the large units of a few years ago and provide great relief for many people.

Maskers might also be recommended to override the ringing you are hearing. If the problem is medication-induced, simply discontinuing the offending drug should solve the problem.

If it is the result of other health issues, these issues should be addressed. Lipo-Flavonoid is an over-the-counter dietary supplement I have referred to in past columns.

The supplement was developed to relieve the symptoms of Meniere's disease, including tinnitus, dizziness and hearing loss. It should be available at your local pharmacy or department store. To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Ear Infections and Disorders".

Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, No. 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: I have another home remedy for you to add to your list. I had an experience more than 60 years ago with ringworm. I suffered for months and months with it.

I had seen several dermatologists and tried several medications, but nothing seemed to work. It continued to itch and grow. An acquaintance then told me of an old remedy she knew of after seeing the growing rash on my arm. She told me to apply sap from the brittle stem of a common nasturtium flower.

Simply break the stem and dab the "goo" onto the entire affected area. It burned like the dickens, but I stuck with it. After a few applications and less than a week, the whole thing dried up perfectly. No more itching! It was wonderful.

Dear reader: This truly is a natural remedy! I had not heard of this before and therefore have printed your letter for my readers to try.

Ringworm isn't really a worm at all. Rather, it is a fungus that affects the skin. It can cause itching, scaling and, rarely, painful tumours.

As for the nasturtium flower (also sometimes known as the Tropaeolum), it is a common flower. It is easy to grow in most gardens and is often grown by children because it can tolerate a little neglect.

I have also heard it can be used a flavouring for butters and vinegars or even stuffed and eaten. This sounds like a safe and lovely remedy. Thanks for writing.

Doctor Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet," available at most chain and independent bookstores, and the recently published "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook." Write directly to Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th fl., New York, NY 10016.