Many common aches and pains can be simply treated at home without the need to contact a doctor. Click on the NHS Choices link below for further information or follow our own guidelines on this page.
Anti-histamines are available over the counter from the chemist, who will always advise. Older anti-histamines (eg Piriton) tend to cause drowsiness so that many people find modern preparations (eg Loratadine) more acceptable. Warning: Anti-histamine tablets are generally very safe but, rarely, can cause serious reactions eg abnormality of the heartbeat. To reduce risk of any reaction please observe the following:
1. Read the information leaflet in the packet.
2. Do not exceed the recommended dose under any circumstances
3. Discontinue if you feel faint or develop palpitations, and consult your doctor.
4. Do not take at the same time certain other drugs eg anti-fungal tablets (Ketoconazole,
Itraconazole) and certain antibiotics (erythromycin and related tablets).
The following drugs should also be avoided - water tablets (diuretics), tablets for palpitations (anti-arrhythmics), antidepressants and tablets used in psychotic illness. If in doubt please consult your chemist (pharmacist) or doctor. All ant-histamines may cause drowsiness and should be used with caution if driving or operating machinery. Excess alcohol should be avoided. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or have a history of liver illness, epilepsy, prostate trouble or glaucoma (eye disease).
Low back pain is sometimes caused by lifting heavy weights but can come on spontaneously. Rest, either lying flat or in a comfortable position, and take two aspirin or paracetamol or ibuprofen (eg Nurofen) tablets every six hours with food or as per packet instructions. Heat and gentle massage can help. If the pain persists for more than a few days, or if it shoots down the leg to the foot (sciatica), consult your doctor.
Blandford Fly bites can only be treated in the same way as other insect bites. Keeping covered up and using insect repellant creams and sprays may be helpful but does not guarantee not being bitten. The vast majority of bites are treated by simple measures such as frequent application of calamine lotion, and anti-histamine (see above). Blistered or weeping areas should be covered with a dry dressing and the practice nurse is always available to give advice. Unfortunately, no other treatment has been proven to be effective and there is little more that your doctor can offer other than antibiotics if there is good evidence of infection eg red lines appearing up the infected limb and enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit or groin.
Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as possible and maintain this until the pain subsides. This may take as long as 15 minutes! If the skin is unbroken but blistered, apply a loose, dry dressing. If the burn is larger than four or five inches in diameter or if the skin is broken, consult your doctor or attend the Accident and Emergency Department at the hospital as soon as possible. Never apply butter, lotion or creams. Clingfilm can be used as an emergency dressing.
Chickenpox is often more severe in adults than children. Adults with chickenpox should contact a doctor as soon as possible. Children can be treated as below. On the first day a rash appears as small red patches, about 3-4mm across. Within a few days of these developing, small blisters appear in the centre of these patches. During the next three or four days further patches will appear and the earlier ones will turn 'crusty' and fall off. Calamine lotion may be applied to soothe the often severe itching. Cool baths may also help. Infection may take up to three weeks to develop after the initial contact. The most infectious period is from two or three days after 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.
A cough is the most common symptom presented to the doctor. If food enters the air passages in the throat, coughing acts as a protector. In the same way during a cold it can also prevent mucus from entering the air passages causing infection. To suppress this reflex action with cough medicine can cause more harm than good. The best treatment is steam inhalation. Add a teaspoon of vapour rub or menthol crystals to a pint of steaming water in a bowl. Trap the steam with a towel over the head and bowl. Inhale for ten minutes three times a day. Be careful not to scald yourself.
For a 'cold': swallow two soluble aspirin or paracetamol every six hours, gargling them in warm water first if the throat is sore. Aspirin should not be given to children. The paracetamol dose for children should be reduced to that advised on the package. If there is a temperature, drink plenty of (non alcoholic) fluids to avoid dehydration.
See your doctor if coughing continues more than a week or two after the cold has cleared up, if coughing produces a green or yellow spit or blood, or coughing is accompanied by chest pain. Also, if a sore throat develops into earache or if temperature rises above 39.5 degrees C or 103 degrees F despite taking aspirin or paracetamol. During an infection the body's temperature regulation is disturbed.
Wearing too many clothes / bed clothes can aggravate a high temperature.
| Cystitis in Women |
Frequently passing urine which stings or burns suggests cystitis, which is sometimes caused by infection. If drinking plenty of fluids and taking Cymalon, which can be bought from the chemist, does not relieve symptoms see your doctor. It is sometimes helpful to bring a fresh (not necessarily the first of the day) sample of urine in a clean container as the doctor may wish to test it.
Unpleasant but rarely dangerous. Most usually caused by a virus, but also a sudden change of diet, over-drinking or foreign travel. It is accompanied by a colicky (cramp-like) pain in the stomach. An attack may be accompanied by vomiting and usually begins to get better within 48 hours. To treat: eat little, drink plenty of fluids, avoid alcohol. See a doctor if symptoms do not settle after 24 hours, if there is continuous pain rather than bouts of cramp, if repeated attacks occur or if attack occurs shortly after foreign travel. Babies under 6 months old should see a doctor if diarrhoea occurs in more than one nappy a day. The use of anti-diarrhoea medicine is seldom recommended.
All children should be immunised against this as part of the MMR vaccine. The rash appears during the first day and usually covers the body, arms and legs in small pink patches about 2-4mm across and doesn't itch. No other symptoms are present apart from occasional aching joints or glands (lumps) at the back of the neck. It is infectious from two days before the rash appears, until the rash disappears in about four or five 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 the doctor.
Hayfever causes itchy eyes, runny noses, sneezing and tends to aggarvate asthma. It may occur at any age. Treatment: General measures include reducing exposure to pollen, eg bedroom window closed, and taking note of pollen count, avoiding early evening walks etc. However, many people require medication eg anti-histamines (see above).
These creatures, contrary to popular belief, prefer clean hair and are, therefore, not a sign of poor personal hygiene. Medicated head lotion can be obtained from the chemist without prescription. For further information please contact the health visitor at the Practice.
Antihistamine tablets can be obtained from the chemist without prescription and will usually relieve most symtoms. Unexplained itchy spots appearing on the lower legs in summer are often insect bites. Don't forget that cat fleas often attack humans. If you have any problems with breathing after a sting then contact a doctor urgently.
| Looking after your Child with a High Temperature |
A child usually develops a fever in response to an infection. Usually the child will get over the infection without antibiotics. A few children, usually under three years old, may have a convulsion with a temperature. It is therefore important to bring the temperature down, to make your child comfortable and to avoid convulsions.
If your child has a temperature or feels hot:
Give paracetamol or Ibuprofen (Nurofen for Children) at the higher recommended dose.
Undress your child and avoid thick bed covers.
Give plenty of cool drinks, as fluid is lost with a fever.
Sponging with a tepid flannel will make them feel better and reduce the temperature.
Repeat the dose of paracetamol every six hours if necessary.
If your child does not improve ask your doctor for advice.
You will not make matters worse if you bring your child to the surgery to see the doctor.
Sometimes the fresh air makes feverish children feel better.
If your child does have a convulsion, cool them and it should subside within five minutes.
Lie the child on their side, stay with them while it lasts and contact your doctor as soon
as possible.
If you develop a fever and/or headache during or after travel to a malaria-affected area you should contact your doctor at the earliest opportunity. Anti-malaria tablets do not guarantee protection and you should still seek medical advice even if you have taken your tablets.
All children should be immunised against this as part of MMR vaccine. The rash is blotchy and red and appears on the face and body around the fourth day of illness. It is at its most infectious from two or three days before the rash appears until eight or ten days after that date.
| Minor Cuts and Grazes |
Wash the wound thoroughly with water and a little soap. To stop bleeding apply a clean handkerchief or dressing firmly to the wound continuously for at least five minutes. Cover with a clean dry dressing.
All children should be immunised against this as part of the MMR vaccine. Symptoms are swelling of the gland in front of one ear often followed after a couple of days, by swelling in front of the other ear. It is infectious from two or three days before the swelling appears until eight or ten days after that date. If the pain is severe you should contact your doctor. Infection may develop up to three weeks after the initial contact. Immunisation can prevent this disease.
Sit in a chair leaning forward with your mouth open and pinch the soft part of your nose just below the bone for approximately 10 minutes continuously (without stopping to check if it has stopped bleeding), by which time the bleeding should have stopped. If symptoms persist consult your doctor. Avoid blowing your nose / cleaning the nostrils for 12 hours after bleeding has settled.
Apply a cold compress, for example a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel, for one or two hours to reduce the swelling. Firmly apply a crepe bandage or tubigrip and elevate the limb, resting it until the discomfort has subsided. As the pain resolves, move the limb in all directions to prevent stiffness.
Treat as for other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotion will relieve the irritation whilst paracetamol will also help. Children are particulary susceptible to sunburn and great care should be taken to avoid over-exposure to the harmful effects of the sun. Excess sun exposure is associated with some forms of skin cancer and premature ageing of the skin. Excessive sunbathing and use of sun lamps is not encouraged. Anyone with a sensitive skin should use a sun blocking cream and cover up.
Small white worms may be seen in the stool or around the back passage (anus) especially at night. Cause intense itching. Spread by scratching and eggs getting under the nails or on fingers and then into the mouth. Treat all family members with medicine - available from the chemist. Ensure good handwashing practices after using the toilet and before eating (including sweets, fruit etc.) For further information please contact the health visitor.
Many women have experienced this irritating complaint which is characterised by a white itchy discharge. It can be treated with Canesten cream and vaginal tablets (available from the chemist without a prescription). Avoidance of nylon underwear, bubble bath and soap can also reduce the chance of recurrence. If symptoms persist consult your doctor. Remember that there are many other causes of discharge and you should consult your doctor if you have any doubts or ant other symptoms.
May be caused by a virus, food poisoning, eating or drinking too much. Some children vomit when they have a temperature. To treat: eat nothing and drink small quantities of water every ¼ hour. Small children respond to special hydration mixtures, like Dioralyte or Rehidrat. He greatest danger is from dehydration. Continue to give fluids even if vomiting persists. If babies are breast fed, continue to give milk. If bottle fed, replace with rehydration fluids for a day and then, if vomiting stops, give half strength feeds for another 24 hours. See a doctor if vomiting is accompanied by constant stomach pain, if vomiting lasts for more than 24 hours or if a vomiting child has a temperature over 38C or 100F or becomes abnormally drowsy or lethargic.