Many common aches and pains can be simply treated at home without the need to consult a doctor.
Many of you treat your own minor illnesses - coughs, colds, diarrhoea, aches and pains - by going to the chemist for medicines. We think this is correct and by doing this you will leave the practice team free to cope with more serious problems.
Many minor illnesses get better on their own. All you often need is some reassurance that what you have got is indeed truly minor and advice about your routine until it gets better. A prescription may not always be necessary.
Back Pain
Most back pain after an injury is simply bruising or strained soft tissue such as ligament or muscle and can be helped with paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines.
If the pain is only at one point in your back, you have probably strained a ligament or muscle. Paracetamol and anti-inflammatory medicines such as Ibuprofen will help. Do not confine yourself to bed but rather take gentle exercise until the pain subsides.
Burns and scalds
Remove any jewellery etc.
Do place burnt area under cold running water for at least 10 minutes.
Do cover the area with a clean dry towel.
Do
not pull clothes off burnt area.
Do
not put oil or cream on burn.
Do
not prick blisters.
Do seek medical advice if the burn is severe or covers a large area.
Sore Throats
A virus causes the majority. They are tiny germs that CANNOT be killed by antibiotics. Most get better on their own in a few days, A hoarse voice suggests viral laryngitis. You should gargle with soluble Aspirin 4 times a day for adults, take plenty of voice rest and steamy inhalations.
In children use Paracetamol and fluids. If you are getting worse after 3 days, seek medical advice.
Colds
These are always caused by a virus: antibiotics are quite useless for colds. You will have a sore throat and a clear thin yellow discharge from the nose. Treatment is with steam inhalations, fluids and rest. Take paracetamol to relieve the symptoms and bring down the temperature.
Children and especially babies get a lot of colds as they develop their immunity. Elevating the mattress, eg with a telephone directory underneath the head end may help.
Coughs
Steam inhalations are excellent, as are some linctuses you can buy from the local chemist. See the doctor if the cough lasts more than a week after a cold, or if there is breathlessness, pain or if you are coughing up blood.
Diarrhoea and Vomiting
Usually due to food poisoning or a virus especially in children. Both usually settle in 24-36 hours. Drink small quantities of glucose water frequently (or Dioralyte sachets made with cool boiled water). Avoid food for 24 hours and then reintroduce dried toast/rice. Avoid dairy products for a few days afterwards.
See the doctor if vomiting is accompanied by severe pain, lasts more than 24 hours or if there is a high fever. Children can become rapidly dehydrated if fluids cannot be kept down - always seek medical advice early, especially if there is a fever. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice.
Headlice
These creatures, contrary to popular belief, prefer clean, short hair and are, therefore, not a sign of poor personal hygiene. The safest and most effective treatment is daily combing with a nit comb. Use only conditioner and a nit comb. All members of the household should be treated. Ask the Pharmacist for the above advice.
Cystitis
Frequently passing urine which stings or burns suggests cystitis, which is sometimes caused by infection. If drinking plenty of fluids, does not relieve symptoms, see your doctor. Remember to bring a fresh (not necessarily the first of the day) sample of urine in a clean container to be tested.
Sprains and Strains
Remember RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
Rest the affected area especially if it is a weight bearing part such as the knee or ankle. Apply ice immediately. A bag of frozen peas moulds well to the injured part. Apply a firm but not tight supporting bandage. Elevate the injured part, especially for leg injuries. When the injury is over 24 hours old, warmth is better than cold. As the injury improves, gentle non-weight bearing, loosening exercises will help. Allow full recovery before gradually returning to normal activities.
Cuts
Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth until the bleeding stops. Do not use a tourniquet. Raise the area if possible and, if the cut is deep or will not stop bleeding, seek medical advice either from NHS direct, our Practice Nurse or the Accident and Emergency Centre at the hospital.
Tell the doctor or nurse when you last had a tetanus injection.
Nose Bleeds
Sit in a chair leaning forward with your mouth open and pinch the nose just below the bone for 10 minutes. Avoid hot drinks or foods for 24 hours. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
Sunburn
Everyone should AVOID getting sunburnt and, if prone to sunburn, wear loose fitting, light clothing and a hat in the sun - this is particularly important in relation to babies and children. If sunbathing, ALWAYS use a sunscreen of the correct sun protection factor, reapply at least every 2 hours and always after swimming.
Be careful to pay attention to sensitive areas like lips, nose, eyelids, shoulders, nipples, ears and legs. Avoid sunbathing when the sun is particularly intense e.g. late morning, early afternoon. Tan gradually - don't rush it and NEVER stay in the sun until your skin goes red.
Insect Bites and Stings
Antihistamine tablets may be obtained from the chemist without prescription and will usually relieve most symptoms.
Note: Bee stings should be scraped away rather than "plucked" in order to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom sac into the wound. Soak a bee sting in bicarbonate solution and soak a wasp sting in vinegar.
The Child with A Temperature
We are aware of how worrying it can be to have a sick child. If you are concerned about your child we will always see the child the same day at the surgery. We do ask that when-ever possible you bring your child to the surgery rather than requesting a home visit. If wrapped up well, a child will come to no harm being brought to the surgery and can usually be seen sooner. Your co-operation in this matter is greatly appreciated. It is always wise to keep a supply of children's Paracetamol (Calpol or Disprol) at home.
Paracetamol reduces a child's temperature. In most minor illness in childhood this is the only treatment required. However, if you are worried about the child or if the child fails to improve in 2 or 3 days, it is worth brining him/her to the surgery for a check. Never give Aspirin to children under the age of 12.
Chickenpox
On the 1
st day a rash appears as small red patches about 3-4mm across. Within a few hours of these developing, small blisters appear in the centre of these patches. During the next 3 or 4 days, further patches will appear and the earlier ones will turn "crusty" and fall off. Treat fever with Calpol and keep the child cool. Oily Calamine Lotion may be applied to soothe the often severe itching. Cool baths may also help. The most infectious period is from 2 or 3 days before the rash appears and up to 5 days after this date. Children may return to school as soon as the last "crusts" have dropped off.
German Measles (Rubella)
The rash appears during the 1
st day and usually covers the body, arms and legs in small pink patches about 2-4mm and doesn't itch. No other symptoms are usually present apart from occasional aching joints. Treat fever with Calpol and keep the child cool.
It is infectious from 2 days before the rash appears, until the rash disappears in about 4 or 5 days from that date. The only danger is to unborn babies and, therefore, it is important that all contacts are informed in order that anyone who may be pregnant can contact their doctor.
Immunisation can prevent this disease.
Measles
The rash is blotchy and red and appears on the face and body around the 4
th day of illness. It is at its most infectious from 2 or 3 days before the rash appears until 8 or 10 days after that date. Treat fever with Calpol and keep the child cool.
Immunisation can prevent this disease.
Mumps
Symptoms are swelling of the glands in front of one ear often followed, after a couple of days, by swelling in front of the other ear. It is infectious from 2 or 3 days before the swelling appears until 8 or 10 days after that date. If the pain is severe you should consult your doctor.
Immunisation can prevent this disease.
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You can use the NHS Direct website to get an Online Self Diagnosis