Self-Treatment Advice for Common Illnesses

Many common aches and pains can be simply treated at home without the need to consult a doctor.

CUTS: If the cut bled freely the blood will normally have washed any germs away. Pressing firmly over the cut for 3 or 4 minutes can usually stop bleeding. The cut can then be carefully inspected. Apply a plaster dressing firmly bringing the edges of the cut together so that it heals quickly. Keep dry for 1 or 2 days.

A tetanus injection in this situation may be needed if you are not up-to-date with your immunisations. See your Practice Nurse to ensure you are adequately protected. Remember that a tetanus injection lasts for 10 years. If the cut is deep and the edges cannot be pulled together with a dressing, you should visit your GP or minor injuries unit.

GRAZES: Dirt will often enter a graze caused by falling on a hard or rough surface. Clean carefully with water or a diluted antiseptic solution. Exposure to the air will allow the graze to gradually dry and cause a scab to form.

BRUISES: Bruises are very common and normally get better in 7 to 10 days. Parents sometimes worry that a bone may be broken. If a child gets up at once after a fall and moves about normally, it is unlikely that a bone has been broken. If you are in doubt, telephone your surgery for advice your GP can organise a ‘fast track’ x-ray. A cold compress may ease a bad bruise if applied at once. This can be done by soaking some material in water and applying to the bruise or by wrapping ice cubes in a tea towel. A wrapped bag of frozen peas is a particularly effective cold compress. Stiffness the next day is usual after bruising.

SPRAINS: Apply a cold compress containing ice if possible for 15-30 minutes to reduce the swelling. If the wrist or ankle is sprained, raise the limb, for example by putting the arm in a sling.

HEAD INJURIES: If the patient was not ‘knocked out’ and can remember the accident, it is unlikely that any serious injury has resulted. But if the patient was knocked unconscious and cannot remember what happened, he or she should be taken to the local casualty unit without delay. Care should be taken with children who have received a head injury, especially the very young. If symptoms develop, such as vomiting, headache, drowsiness and excessive crying, contact your doctor or Emergency unit.

HAY FEVER: In summer, hay fever caused by pollen in the air may create similar symptoms to those of a cold, with the addition of sneezing and sore, itchy eyes. Ask your pharmacist for advice on treating hay fever. Remember some antihistamines can be purchased cheaply from supermarkets and your local pharmacist.

BURNS AND SCALDS: Minor burns and scalds cause redness of the skin. Apply a large quantity of cold water to the affected areas as soon as possible. Maintain until the pain subsides, this may take as long as 15 minutes! Remove any rings or watches before the area starts to swell.

THE COMMON COLD: The common cold usually starts with a hot feeling in the back of the nose and sometimes a dry throat. The patient feels generally unwell and achy and then develops a stuffy runny nose. There may be a slight temperature of 37.5-38C or 99-100F and the whole illness lasts 7 to 10 days. There is still no cure for the common cold. Take plenty of non-alcoholic drinks. If you have a headache or are feverish take Paracetamol. Never take any previously prescribed antibiotics you may have in the house – they will not work and they may make matters worse.

FLU: A lot of people confuse flu with a heavy cold. But flu can start suddenly and has symptoms that you do not get with a cold, such a high fever, shivery feeling, headache, aching limbs and no energy. You may feel ill and have a temperature for up to a week. You could then feel weak and in low spirits for several weeks longer. Take a painkiller such as Paracetamol or Aspirin to help relieve the headache and muscle pains and reduce your temperature. The best way to treat flu is to stay at home, keep warm and rest, drink plenty of non-alcoholic drinks to replace the fluid lost in sweating and eat what you can.

SUNBURN: Always try to avoid sunburn. Repeated over-exposure to the harmful effects of the sun can lead to skin cancer later in life. Children are particularly susceptible to sunburn. Remember; sunrays reflect off concrete, water, snow and sand, you may even get sunburn when in the shade so take care! Keep vulnerable areas such as shoulders and necks covered by wearing hats and T-shirts. Do not use oily or greasy ointments on burns as this cooks them and makes them worse. If the skin is unbroken but blistered apply a loose, dry dressing.

SORE THROAT: Most sore throats start with a common cold or flu. These are caused by a virus, an infection that antibiotics cannot cure. There maybe dryness of the throat, pain on coughing and loss of voice. With simple treatment the patient will normally get better in 4 or 5 days. Try Paracetamol and drink plenty of fluids.

COUGHS: A cough is the most common symptom presented to doctors. Treatment: A cough can be eased with steam inhalations, but this is not recommended for children because of the dangers of scalding water. A cough suppressant can be bought from a pharmacy. Make an appointment to see your doctor if: 1. Coughing continues for more that a week or two after a common cold has cleared up. 2. Breathing is accompanied by a pain in the chest, shortness of breath, or wheezing. 3. Coughing produces blood.

NOSE BLEEDS: Sit in a chair, lean forward and pinch your nose continuously just below the bone for at least 10 minutes. The bleeding should then stop. Avoid blowing your nose for 12 hours. If the symptoms persist attend your local casualty unit.

INSECT BITES: These are common in the summer. They look like spots, are about 1cm across and are very itchy. They usually appear on exposed parts, such as arms and legs. Occasionally they progress to a hard red area. The soreness and itching can be relieved by Calamine lotion or antihistamine tablets which can be obtained from a pharmacy without prescription. Bee stings should be scraped away, rather that plucked, to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom sac into the wound.

TOOTHACHE AND DENTAL PAIN: Your first point of contact should always be your dentist. If you are not registered and you get toothache out of hours (every day between 7.00pm and 11.30pm and additionally on Saturday, Sunday and Bank holidays between 9.30am and 12noon) phone the DentaLine emergency dental service who may be able to solve your problem on the phone, if not they may advise you to attend the Centre where temporary treatment will be provided to get you out of trouble.

HEADLICE: Contrary to popular belief, these creatures prefer clean hair, so are not a sign of poor personal hygiene. Often medicated head lotions bought at a pharmacy are not effective in getting rid of head lice. These lotions are also toxic and can irritate the skin. The safest method is to wash the hair with shampoo, add a conditioner and then comb from the roots to the end with a “nit comb”. Repeat this every two or three days until the head lice have disappeared.

VOMITING AND DIARRHOEA: Vomiting and diarrhoea may be caused by a virus infection. It usually stops within 24 hours but in some cases recovery may take longer. Diarrhoea following a holiday is common. Some children vomit when they have a temperature. If your child is vomiting, a way to check on dehydration is to make sure your child is passing enough urine e.g. by checking for wet nappies. Treatment: Stop eating for 24-48 hours, but drink plenty of water or water-flavoured drinks. Rehydration sachets such as Rehidrat or Dioralyte may be helpful for young children and can be brought from a pharmacy. Avoid milk and milk products for 24 hours. Babies may be continued to be breastfed safely. As the stomach settles, take foods such as dried biscuits, bread or breakfast cereals, but without milk, before gradually returning to a normal diet. If the vomiting or diarrhoea does not settle within 48 hours or there is cause for concern, advice should be obtained from your doctor.

MENINGITIS: Meningitis is not common but it does need to be treated quickly. A person with meningitis usually looks and feels unwell. They may also slowly develop a temperature. If a person with these symptoms develops a stiff neck and a reddish blue or violet rash, which does not disappear if you press on it, then you should contact your doctor immediately. Children may become floppy and sleepy and not react to their surroundings. Adults may become drowsy and confused. Meningitis can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages because the symptoms are similar to many common ailments. Not all of these symptoms appear with meningitis. If you are concerned, contact your doctor so that he/she can assess the situation. If the person’s condition suddenly gets worse, then get help immediately.

BACK PAIN: If the pain has been caused by simple strain, for example by lifting weights that are too heavy, be sensible to take things easily. At night rest your back by lying on a mattress, which is supportive but not too firm. It may be helpful to use an ice pack over the painful area. You can take Paracetamol for pain relief. If you do not suffer from indigestion or asthma, take Ibuprofen. This will not only relieve the pain but will help to relieve inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe stronger drugs if necessary.

WHEN TO CALL AN AMBULANCE: If someone has collapsed or is choking and you are unable to help, then call an ambulance straightaway. In particular, if you experience chest pain for more than 10-15 minutes, which may be accompanied by nausea and sweating, dial 999 and let the ambulance service know that you think you may be having a heart attack, then take an Aspirin (it must be an Aspirin). Research shows that Aspirin reduces complications following a heart attack.

What to keep in the medicine cabinet:

  • Paracetamol and Aspirin (children under 16 and people with asthma should not take Aspirin)
  • Mild laxatives
  • Anti-diarrhoeal medicines
  • Rehydration mixture
  • Indigestion remedy (eg antacids)
  • Travel Sickness tablets
  • Sunscreen – SPF 15 or higher
  • Sunburn treatment (eg Calamine)
  • Tweezers and sharp scissors
  • Thermometer
  • Selection of plasters, non absorbent cotton wool, elastic bandages and dressings

REMEMBER:

  • Keep medicine chest in a secure, locked place out of reach of small children
  • Always read the instructions and use the suggested dose
  • Watch expiry dates – don’t keep or use medicines past their use by date
  • Take all unwanted and out of date medicines back to the pharmacy

YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU FREE HEALTH ADVICE AT ANY TIME

YOU DON’T NEED AN APPOINTMENT!

Remember: Patients can telephone the surgery at anytime during the day and ask to speak to a doctor or nurse who is happy to give advice and assess your need to be seen. Your GP can also arrange for a ‘fast track’ x-ray if necessary.