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A
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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.
C
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 germs 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.
D
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.
E
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.
F
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.
G
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.
H
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.
I
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.
J
K
L
M
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.
N
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.
O
P
Q
R
S
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.
T
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
U
V
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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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