Hello, again, dear readers. We’re back with the second of our two bonus letters columns. Let’s dive right in.

-- After a column that referenced magnesium, we heard from a reader from Deltaville, Virginia, whose wife had been diagnosed with very low levels of the essential mineral. “What actually causes low magnesium levels?” he asked. “What can be done about it other than the four-hour infusion sessions she is going through?” Magnesium plays a role in hundreds of chemical reactions throughout the body and is crucial to heart, muscle, nerve and kidney function. Low levels arise from poor absorption, or excessive excretion, of the nutrient. Conditions such as chronic diarrhea; kidney disorders; and high levels of certain hormones, including thyroid hormones, can all increase magnesium excretion. So can the overuse of certain types of antacids. People with gastrointestinal issues, such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, are often unable to adequately absorb magnesium. Some medications can also interfere with absorption. Infusions are used when deficiencies are quite severe. As levels stabilize, a switch to oral magnesium supplements may be adequate.

-- Speaking of magnesium, a reader from Rye Beach, New Hampshire, wrote in response to a column about restless leg syndrome, or RLS, a condition that causes an irresistible urge to move the legs. “Please suggest a simple and inexpensive mineral that’s important to the whole body -- magnesium,” she wrote. Although it doesn’t work for everyone, some people with RLS do find that increasing magnesium in the diet can help ease symptoms. As with all supplements, check with your health care provider for guidance. Taken in large amounts, magnesium supplements can be unsafe and can lead to side effects such as heart arrhythmias, low blood pressure and impaired breathing.

-- In response to a column about persistent hiccups that last for weeks, or even months, a reader from Spokane Valley, Washington, shared an unexpected avenue of relief. “My mother had those hiccups,” she wrote. “A friend of the family suggested she go to a chiropractor. She did, and the hiccups went away and never came back.” Persistent hiccups, while rare, interfere with quality of life. We aren’t aware of any studies that back up a chiropractic approach to dealing with hiccups. However, there is anecdotal evidence from patients who say that visiting a licensed chiropractor has offered relief.

-- A reader from Fresno, California, asked for help with compression stockings. “I’m 89 years old, have poor circulation and am allergic to compression stockings,” she wrote. “I walk a mile every day, and the stockings would be helpful.” It’s possible that you’re allergic to latex, which gives many brands of compression stockings their stretch. The good news is that some brands of compression stockings are latex-free. We think it would be a good idea to give them a try and see if you have better results. Meanwhile, congratulations on your impressive fitness regimen -- you’re an example to us all.

Thank you to everyone who writes to us. We look forward to hearing from more of you, and will be back with our regular letters column next month.

(Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA, 90024. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.)

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to an extension of our monthly letters column. Our main letters column this month was devoted to your questions about the new coronavirus vaccine -- an important topic that needed immediate attention. So we’re back with parts one and two of a bonus edition to help catch up with your more general questions. Onward to part one!

-- A reader from Cleveland asked if eating carrots helps with prostate health. “Have you ever heard of this?” he asked. “How many carrots do you have to eat?” While a potential link between eating carrots and prostate health has been a subject of interest for a number of years, the research remains inconclusive. Some studies have found a link between alpha-carotene, a nutrient in carrots, and a decrease in prostate cancer risk. The studies found eating a medium-sized carrot each day, or drinking freshly pressed carrot juice, to be helpful. However, those results haven’t been universally duplicated. If you’re going to try it, we recommend eating your carrots, because the crude fiber they contain is beneficial to the gut.

-- In a column about why falling is a serious health risk for older adults, a reader from Fresno, California, asked for a clarification. “You wrote that just a sprain or a bruise can interfere with quality of life,” she wrote. “Can you elaborate?” Although a big concern with falls is breaking a bone, even a mild injury can alter someone’s routine. A sprained ankle makes it difficult to get around. Small tasks like going to the mailbox, or even walking from room to room, can become daunting. The aches and pain of a bruise can limit movement, so basic actions like reaching up to a kitchen shelf or dressing oneself become more difficult. These limits are temporary, of course, since sprains and bruises heal. But, in the meantime, daily life is adversely affected.

-- A reader near Austin, Texas, who recently cared for her father and two aunts at the ends of their lives, noticed that dentists would sometimes suggest procedures that were out of step with the needs and abilities of an older adult. “Do keep up with cleanings and care for cavities, but get a second opinion for things like tooth extractions and implants,” she wrote. “Some older senior citizens may not be healthy enough for these procedures, which the dentist may not know, or they may not have the money to afford them.” We think that’s very good advice. A second opinion can clarify a medical or dental issue and help ensure that only necessary care is performed. Thank you for sharing.

-- A reader from Tulsa, Oklahoma, got right to the point with his question: “Is it possible for mosquitoes to pass on COVID-19?” So far, there are no known cases of the new coronavirus being transmitted via a mosquito bite. It’s a respiratory virus, and its main form of transmission is through the droplets from a cough or sneeze and the smaller particles released when we speak or exhale.

See you in a few days with bonus questions in part two.

(Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA, 90024. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.)

Dear Doctor: I’m a 60-year-old woman with naturally fair skin. I’ve worked outdoors all of my life -- and now I have the age spots on my face to prove it. Why do they happen? Are there any creams from the drugstore that might help to fade them?

Dear Reader: Age spots are the darkened areas of skin that develop on parts of the body that have been regularly exposed to sunlight. They often appear on the shoulders, backs of the hands, arms, back and face. People who are balding and don’t regularly wear head coverings while outside may develop them on their scalps.

Age spots often look like freckles of varying sizes, and they range in color from light tan to dark brown. While it’s true that age spots, which are sometimes referred to as sun spots or liver spots, become more common as we get older, they can appear on any skin that has had chronic overexposure to sunlight.

When you develop age spots, it’s your skin’s way of letting you know you’ve gotten too much sun. They form in response to UV light, which accelerates pigment production. Unlike cancerous and pre-cancerous growths, which they can resemble, age spots don’t require medical treatment. However, for cosmetic reasons, many people prefer that they be removed, or at least lightened.

Treatments vary. Fade creams and lotions typically use hydroquinone, glycolic acid or kojic acid. Nonprescription versions of these products are available at your local drugstore. More powerful fade creams, with higher concentrations of the active ingredients, are available by prescription. While they tend to lighten the spots, they may not completely remove them. Plus, you have to be patient. It can take weeks, or even a few months, of consistent use to see an improvement. Even when using nonprescription fade creams, it’s a good idea to get guidance from your health care provider, since the active agents can cause side effects.

For more complete results, there’s laser therapy, which targets and destroys specific pigments. Cryotherapy, which involves freezing the skin, and acid peels, to exfoliate the skin, are also sometimes used. Each of these can cause side effects, such as pain, excessive dryness, blistering, redness and swelling.

Whichever approach you take, it’s crucial to also stop exposing your skin to sunlight. Use a full-spectrum sunscreen, stay in the shade and cover your skin. That means wearing long sleeves, long pants, hats, scarves or gloves as needed. Some of our patients have invested in SPF clothing, which they find quite helpful. Others use an umbrella to block the sun while outdoors.

Unless you take steps to minimize sun exposure, age spots will return, and new ones may form. It’s also important to note that some cancerous and pre-cancerous growths can start out looking like age spots. We recommend that all adults regularly monitor the moles, marks and birthmarks on their skin for changes in size, color, shape and texture. This should be in addition to an annual skin cancer screening by a health care professional, which is a visual exam that is often covered by insurance.

(Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA, 90024. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.)