Treatment for Minor Ailments

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BACK PAIN

Sudden back pain is very common and not always caused by lifting something heavy, sometimes it comes out of the blue. It often gets better on its own in a few days with rest and simple painkillers like aspirin or paracetamol. If it is persistent or unusually severe then contact the doctor.

BURNS AND SCALDS

Run cold water over the burnt area until the pain subsides (this may take fifteen minutes). If the area becomes blistered, keep it clean and dry and do not burst the blisters. If the burn is more than a few centimetres across or if the skin is broken, consult your doctor or the Accident & Emergency Department at the Hospital as soon as possible.

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CHICKEN POX

On the first day a rash appears as small red patches about 3-4mm across. Within a few hours of these developing, small blisters will appear and the earlier ones will turn “crusty” and fall off. Oily calamine lotion may be applied to soothe the often severe itching. The most infectious period is from two to three days before the rash appears and up to five days after this date. Children may return to school as soon as the last “crusts” have dropped off.

COLDS

There is still no cure for the common cold which is caused by a virus. Paracetamol is helpful if you have a headache, sore throat or are feverish. Antibiotics have no effect on viral illnesses.

CONJUNCTIVITIS

Makes the eyes red and sore and often makes them “mattery”. It often settles without treatment if you bathe the eyes with boiled water and wipe away the “matter” with cotton wool or tissue. If it does not settle, consult the doctor. It is often very infectious so patients should never share towels or flannels and should wash their hands immediately after touching their eyes.

COUGHS

Coughs are very common and usually caused by a viral infection. Cough linctus from the chemist can sometimes soothe an irritating cough. You should see a doctor if your cough is accompanied by pain in the chest, wheeziness or shortness of breath or if you cough up lots of green or yellow phlegm or blood or if your cough lasts for more than three to four weeks.

CRAMP

Cramp is caused by painful muscle spasm usually in the legs. It may occur after unaccustomed exercise. The pain and cramp may be relieved by vigorous rubbing or stretching of the muscles. Quinine can help adults when the cramps occur regularly at night.

CUTS

Bleeding can usually be stopped by applying pressure to the cut with a clean handkerchief for several minutes. Apply a plaster dressing firmly, bringing the edges of the cut together so that it heals quickly. Keep it dry for one or two days. If the cut is deep and the edges cannot be pulled together with a dressing, consult a doctor or nurse at the Accident and Emergency Department. A tetanus injection may also be needed.

CYSTITIS

Cystitis is an inflammation inside the bladder. Over half the women in this country suffer from it at some time during their lives, often repeatedly. It makes you want to pass urine frequently and when you do pass water it causes a burning sensation. When you first get the symptoms, drink a pint of water immediately. A teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in the water can relieve some of the pain. Paracetamol tablets are useful. It is important to carry on drinking plenty of fluids to wash the gems out of your bladder. If your symptoms do not settle in a day, or two if you are pregnant, consult your doctor and bring in a specimen of urine in a clean container.

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DIARRHOEA AND VOMITING

In adults and older children, diarrhoea and vomiting will usually get better on its own. Treatment consists of replacing the fluid that you have lost and resting the digestive system by having nothing to eat for twenty-four hours and drink clear fluids little and often. If the diarrhoea contains blood or there is severe pain or high fever, you should discuss it with your doctor. Diarrhoea and vomiting in small babies and young children should be treated with caution and the doctor will be happy to advise you about this over the phone and arrange to see you if necessary.

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EARACHE

Earache can be caused by excess ear wax, catarrh or infection. If a child gets earache, regular doses of paracetamol medicine eg Calpol will ease the discomfort. If the earache does not settle within twelve to twenty-four hours, consult a doctor.

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FLU

Influenza is another viral infection. It causes aching, fever, shivering or coughing. Usually it subsides in a few days but may leave the sufferer feeling washed out for a while. Treatment of symptoms with paracetamol and a cough linctus is usually all that is possible. If you are concerned, consult your doctor as complications are possible particularly in the elderly or infirm or those suffering from chronic disease such as diabetes or asthma. For these groups a yearly vaccination is advisable.

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GRAZES

Any dirt must be cleaned out carefully with soap and water or an antiseptic solution. After cleaning, leave the graze uncovered. Dressing should only be applied if the graze might become dirty or to prevent it being rubbed by clothing.

GERMAN MEASLES (Rubella)

A rash appears during the first day and usually covers the body, arms and legs in small pink patches about 2mm to 4mm in diameter. It does not itch. Often no other symptoms are present apart from occasional aching in the joints. It is infectious from two days before the rash appears until a week afterwards. The only danger is to unborn babies and it is, therefore, important that any contacts who might be pregnant are informed so that they can consult their doctor. Immunisation can prevent this disease.

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HAYFEVER

Hayfever affects many people and is worse when the pollen count is high. Watering, itchy eyes, sneezing and runny nose are some of the distressing symptoms. Antihistamines are effective at giving some relief against hayfever. These can be bought without prescription at the chemist.

HEAD LICE

These creatures, contrary to popular belief, prefer clean hair and are therefore not a sign of poor personal hygiene. Medicated head lotion, shampoos and creams are available from chemists without prescription. Special ‘nit’ combs help to eradicate and identify head lice and regular combing and brushing protects the hair from reinfection.

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INSECT BITES AND STINGS

Antihistamine tablets can 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.

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MEASLES

The rash is blotchy and red and appears on the face and body on about the fourth day of feeling unwell and is often accompanied by a cough. It is most infectious from two or three days before the rash appears until eight or ten days afterwards. Immunisation can prevent this potentially life-threatening disease.

MIGRAINE

Migraine headaches are severe and often affect only one side of the head. They may be caused by certain foods, alcohol, stress or tiredness. They are often accompanied by nausea or vomiting and visual disturbances such as flashing lights. Sometimes they can be relieved by simple pain killing tablets as soon as you feel a migraine coming on. Rest in a dark room until the headache stops. If these remedies do not help, your doctor may be able to prescribe other forms of treatment.

MOLES

It is normal to have moles and freckles on our bodies. Many are present from childhood and are brown. Sometimes moles and freckles change and if you notice that they itch, enlarge suddenly, change colour, bleed or scab over, consult your doctor. Most changes are innocent but may indicate the start of a skin tumour.

MUMPS

Symptoms are swelling of the glands in front of one or other ear often followed, after a couple of days, by swelling front of the other ear. It is infections from two or three days before the swelling appears until eight or ten days after that date. If the pain is severe you should consult your doctor. Immunisation can prevent this disease.

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NAPPY RASH

Nearly all babies have nappy rash at some stage. Liberal use of barrier creams such as zinc and castor oil or Drapolene withy ever change of nappy will help to prevent soreness. Frequent nappy changing so that the sore bottom is not in contact with a wet or soiled nappy for long is important and taking the nappy off to allow the air to get to the skin wherever possible also helps. If the rash does not heal quickly, seek advice from the health visitor or practice nurse.

NOSE BLEEDS

Sit in a chair leaning forward with your mouth open and pinch the soft part of your nose for ten minutes without letting go. This should stop the bleeding. Do not try to blow your nose or clean the blood from inside your nose once the bleeding has stopped. If symptoms persist consult your doctor or attend Accident and Emergency.

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SORE THROATS

Most sore throats are caused by a virus infection which antibiotics cannot cure. They normally get better in four to five days.

Treatment for adults: aspirin to help relieve the pain on swallowing and if there is a temperature. Use soluble aspirin dissolved in water so that the patient can gargle before swallowing. Repeat the treatment every four hours. If aspirin causes discomfort, use paracetamol. Encourage the patient to drink plenty. Throat sprays and lozenges from the chemist can also help to relieve the symptoms.

Treatment for children: paracetamol every four hours. Children below the age of twelve should not be given aspirin.

SPRAINS

Apply a cold compress, containing ice if possible, for fifteen to thirty minutes to reduce the swelling and discomfort (a packet of frozen peas works well). Apply a firm bandage to the ankle and elevate the leg. Rest in the early stages is important but once the pain has subsided, early mobilisation and gentle exercise ensures a quicker return to normality.

STOMACH ACHE

Most attacks are not serious and are usually caused by indigestion and wind. A hot water bottle will often relieve the symptoms and, in the case of indigestion, a teaspoon of an antacid such as milk of magnesia will help. If the pain becomes increasingly severe, you should consult your doctor.

SUNBURN

Treat as for other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotion will relieve the irritation and paracetamol will also help. Children are particularly susceptible to sunburn. There is increasing evidence that too much sun on the skin can greatly increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Great care should be taken, therefore, to avoid over exposure to the harmful effects of the sun.

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TEMPERATURE

A temperature occurs commonly even with mild infections. In small children it is important to stop the temperature rising too quickly and children should be given paracetamol syrup which may be bought from the chemist. If they still appear hot, they should be gently sponged with tepid water in order to cool them. If a temperature is very high and does not come down with the above treatment or the child appears very unwell with the temperature, you should consult your doctor. A child or adult with a temperature will not come to any harm being brought by car or pram to the surgery.

THREADWORMS

Threadworms are tiny, white worms about 1cm long that live in the bowel. They can be a nuisance but are not harmful. Sometimes they cause itching around the back passage in children, especially at night. Your doctor or chemist can give you tablets or medicine to clear the worms. It is best that the whole family are treated at the same time because if one person has worms, the rest of the family may have them too. Make sure that everyone in the family uses their own towel and flannel and cleans their hands properly after going to the toilet.

THRUSH

Thrush is an infection which affects many women at some time in their lives. It is commoner in women who are pregnant, on the pill, diabetic or on antibiotics. Some women are prone to repeated attacks. In women, thrush usually affects the vulva and vagina, causing itching and a thigh, white vaginal discharge. There may be associated soreness and pain on passing urine. Thrush is caused by a yeast infection and usually requires an antifungal cream to quickly clear up the infection. There are a number of ways to reduce the risk of further attacks. Avoid tights, nylon pants and tight jeans. Wear loose, airy undergarments and keep some antifungal cream for emergencies.

TOOTHACHE

A common problem that may affect any of us. Take regular painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen) and consult your dentist. If you are not registered with a dentist, contact the Dental Helpline on 0845 7697691

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WARTS

Warts are roughened growths of skin caused by a virus. The body will eventually reject warts but they can be removed more quickly by using wart paints regularly. These take an average of six weeks to get rid of the warts, sometimes longer.

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