I was a little worried about focusing on embarrassing health issues for a whole month. Cystitis, constipation and bad breath are oddly fascinating subjects, but I'm aware that a lot of you read the paper over breakfast. I just wasn't sure that burning wee, two-tone poos and morning breath would go down well as you were eating your cornflakes.

I was wrong! It seems that most of you have an insatiable curiosity for embarrassing information. My in-box became full of messages about the state of your bowels ? one of you even signing off with a poo identity - "Always Bunged Up" ? although not for much longer I hope!

But for those of you who've been choking on your toast as you've read about various bodily functions, breathe a sigh of relief ? this is the last in this series and it's not nearly as grim anyway.

This week I wanted to take a quick look at a skin condition called "Tinea Versicolor." It's so common here that we have our own terminology for it ? Bermuda rot. Bermuda rot is caused by an overgrowth of a normal skin fungus (yeast) called Pityrosporum orbiculare, which rapidly colonises the surface of the skin in scattered patches.

The yeast then "leaks" an acid which bleaches skin and causes it to change colour, resulting in a mottled rash effect. It is also common for light, crusty scales to cover the surface of the rash.

The scattered patches of Bermuda rot can be anything from white or pink, to tan, to dark ? depending on skin colour. It is most common on the chest, neck, upper arms and upper back.

Fortunately, despite the fact that it thrives on oily skin, the face is rarely affected. Bermuda rot also thrives in warm moist environments, which would explain why it's so common here.

Now about six months after I moved to Bermuda, I discovered a few dusty, white patches around my neck and on the top of my arms.

I also had some pinkish patches on my shoulders and my back was itchy when I was hot. I went to see my doctor who told me I had Bermuda rot ? which I thought was pretty upsetting.

Here I was, living the dream in the tropics, but life was getting more and more unglamorous ? roaches, ant invasions, frizzy hair, mouldy shoes and now I was rotting!

Never mind, I only had a mild rash and I was given body shampoo to kill off the yeast. Apart from feeling like a total lemon for five minutes in the shower every day ? water off, waiting for the shampoo to "work" ? nuking my scaly patches was a very painless procedure.

However (there's always a however!), I hadn't realised that I was also covered in patches that were so mild, I couldn't yet see them. The shampoo removed these patches as well and my mild case of Bermuda rot became fully-fledged leprosy within 72 hours. My neck and shoulders were covered in odd-looking white patches ? embarrassing!

I was told that the white patches could take between six months and one year to disappear, the reason being that the patches don't tan well in the sun at all ? instead, you have to wait for skin cells to regenerate.

I was really lucky though and it actually only took about three months to disappear completely.

With this in mind, although the medical profession does not give any dietary recommendations to those with Bermuda rot, I would suggest that a healthy diet and lifestyle does improve the speed at which skin recovers, and also helps to prevent any recurrences.

Whilst it's perfectly normal to have some skin fungus, some people get Bermuda rot and some people don't, even under the same climatic conditions.

My thoughts are that lifestyle and diet can certainly influence (if not dictate) who gets Bermuda rot and who doesn't ? and also, the speed at which it clears up.Once you've had Bermuda rot, it's easy for it to recur. Your doctor or dermatologist may advise doing prevent re-treatments via creams or shampoo. Alternatively buy a natural shower gel (such as the Jason's Natural Cosmetics pumps from Down to Earth or Harrington Hundreds) and add 5ml tea tree oil - shake well to mix in properly. Tea tree oil is a natural anti-fungal agent that works really well preventively. It actually works best when diluted, so don't be tempted to apply it neat!This is obvious, but as the fungus thrives on oily skin, make sure you shower as soon as possible after exercising or being very hot.

Don't be tempted to go to bed with your hair wet; the fungus also loves damp conditions!

Keep your home and work environment as free from damp as possible.

Try to wear loose, cool, cotton or other "breathable" fabrics, rather that clothes that keep sweat close to the body.

Remember, some yeast on the skin is normal but we want to prevent it from becoming prolific. Refined sugars (sugar, candy, chocolate, ice cream, fruit juice, sugary sodas, fruit punch, cakes, and cookies) all feed and encourage the growth of yeast in and on the body. Yeast seasoning (for example on popcorn), vinegar and alcohol also encourage the proliferation of yeast.

Both garlic and oregano are naturally antifungal, so use them liberally in your cooking. However, if you have a sensitive or irritable bowel, be careful when eating garlic as it can upset delicate stomachs.

Friendly bacteria, such as l.acidophilus and b.bacterium, help to rebalance gut flora and combat excessive yeast in the body. The KyoDophillus and Solgar brands at Down to Earth are good. Rock On also stocks good quality formulas.

Bear in mind that the contraceptive pill, alcohol, stress, sugar and spicy foods, all deplete friendly bacteria.

A healthy immune system helps to boost the health of your whole body - including your skin! Fresh fruit & vegetables, wholegrains, unroasted nuts & seeds and green tea are all rich in naturally occurring antioxidants. Blueberries, pomegranate juice (diluted), red berries, broccoli, spinach, yellow and orange peppers, sprouts and avocados are all antioxidant rich. They are also especially rich in vitamins A, C and E which are all crucial for skin health.

Follow the preventive steps above

Your doctor may prescribe a fungal cream, body shampoo or tablets (in severe, extensive or recurrent cases) - follow directions accordingly. Although tea tree oil and other anti-fungals may be strong enough to treat Bermuda rot, I suggest you use them as preventive measures, rather than relying on them as treatments in this instance.