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Self Treatment
Please note:
This is general advice only and NOT a substitute for seeing your doctor.
If you have any further concerns please seek attention from your GP.
Click on the links below for more information:
Back Pain
Back pain causes 13 million working days to be lost in Britain each
year. The spine, made up of 24 bones and associated cartilage and
tendons, supports the whole weight of the upper body and therefore it is
understandable that it sometimes goes wrong. Because of the complex
nature of the spine, it is advisable to contact your doctor if severe
back pain persists for more than a few days. It is important to keep
moving and avoid prolonged sitting. Take care to sit as upright as
possible with a support for the small of the back. Take paracetamol or
other painkillers as recommended by your pharmacist, which will help to
relieve the pain.
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Burns
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 you are worried, consult your doctor or attend
casualty.
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Colds
Even in this day and age there is still no magic cure for the common
cold. Decongestants may help and these can be bought at the chemists.
Steam inhalations with menthol are soothing.
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Chickenpox
On the first 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 three to four days further
patches will appear and the earlier ones will turn ‘crusty’ and fall
off. Oily calamine lotion may be soothing. You do not develop shingles
from contact with someone who has chickenpox. In general this is not a
serious illness. However, pregnant women who have never had chickenpox
and people taking immuno-suppressant drugs should seek medical advice if
they have come into close contact with a case of chickenpox.
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Minor Cuts and Grazes
Wash the wound thoroughly with water. To stop bleeding apply a clean
handkerchief or dressing firmly to the wound for about five minutes.
Cover with a clean dry dressing.
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Vomiting And Diarrhoea
This is usually caused by a viral infection and occasionally by food
poisoning. It normally lasts about 24-48 hours.
The mainstay of treatment is to drink clear fluids to prevent
dehydration (eg water, diluted fruit juice or rehydration mixtures from
your pharmacist).
Drugs to stop diarrhoea or vomiting are generally not needed and in any
case should always be avoided in children as they can be dangerous. If
vomiting occurs then give small amounts of liquid frequently and no
solid food until appetite returns.
Contact your doctor if vomiting is persistent or if diarrhoea lasts for
more than a few days. Babies and young children are most at risk of
dehydration, so call your doctor earlier than you would for an adult.
If your child has a high temperature, then paracetamol (Disprol or
Calpol) may be given.
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Head Lice
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, but unfortunately
these are not 100% effective and often need to be combined with
intensive combing and use of hair conditioner.
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Influenza (Flu)
This is a viral illness characterised by fever, severe fatigue, headache
and aching all over. The symptoms may include those of a cold, cough or
sore throat (it can last for seven to ten days). Antibiotics have no
effect except if there is a complication. Go to bed and take plenty of
fluids and paracetamol or aspirin. We offer influenza vaccines each
Autumn to those patients 65 years and over and other patients who have
any of the following:
- Chronic lung disease, including asthma
- Chronic heart disease
- Chronic renal disease
- Diabetes
- Weak immune system
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Insect Bites
These usually require no treatment. 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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Fever
What to do if your child has a high temperature:
- Paracetamol (Calpol, Disprol) - can be taken whether or not the patient
is on antibiotics.
- Cold fluids - clear fluids, small sips, frequently.
- Light clothing - vest and pants/nappy, no duvet.
- Cool room - open windows if necessary, fire off.
- Tepid sponge - cool bath or sponge all over, use moderately cool water.
- Contact a doctor if this does not help or if you are worried.
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Nosebleeds
Sit in a chair, leaning forward with your mouth open and pinch your nose
just below the bone for approximately 10 minutes, by which time the
bleeding should have stopped. Avoid blowing your nose if possible to
prevent a recurrence.
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Sprains
Firstly, apply a cold compress, containing ice if possible, for 15 to 30
minutes to reduce the swelling. Apply, firmly, a crepe bandage and rest
the sprain for about a day, then gradually get back to normal.
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Sunburn
Treat as for other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Paracetamol
will help the pain. Children and fair skinned people are particularly
susceptible to sunburn and great care should be taken to avoid
overexposure to the harmful effects of the sun. Repeated sunburn is
known to increase the risk of skin cancer.
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Choking
The commonest causes of choking are things such as food or other objects
put into the mouth which become accidentally inhaled, causing blockage
to the upper airways.
Such objects are best removed by the ‘Heimlich Manoeuvre’. This is
performed by standing behind the patient, grasping one’s hands together
around the patient and pulling forcefully back, compressing the patient
just below the ribs and breast bone. This forcefully expels air from the
chest and hopefully the obstructing object.
In babies and toddlers, it is best to check that the mouth and throat
are clear and to turn the infant upside down, slapping the back of the
chest forcefully once or twice, repeating if necessary.
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General
Information about Medications
Paracetamol, Disprol, Calpol. Choose a mixture that is sugar-free for
children to help avoid tooth decay. Paracetamol (or Calpol/Disprol) can
be given when antibiotics are being used and are indicated for reducing
a high temperature (fever), or for relieving pain (eg sore throat or
earache).
Aspirin should not be given to children below 16 years old.
Remember, always keep medicines and tablets out of reach of children,
preferably in a locked cupboard.
Take any old or unnecessary medicines or tablets back to the pharmacist.
If you are pregnant, check with your pharmacist or doctor before taking
any drugs. The exception is paracetamol which may be taken.
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