Minor Ilnesses

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

Back Pain

This causes 13 million working days to be lost in Britain each year. The spine, being made up fo 24 fragile 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 consult your doctor if back pain persists for more than a few days. If, as usual, the pain has been caused by abuse i.e. lifting too heavy weights etc. be sensible and take things easy. Take care to sit as upright as possible with a support for the small of the back. Take Aspirin, Brufen or Paracetamol which will not only relieve the pain but will help to settle the inflammation. Your doctor may well prescribe stronger drugs, heat treatment, gentle exercise and some kind of supportive corset.

Burns

Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as possible and maintain this until the pain subsides (could be as long as 15 mins). If the skin is unbroken but blistered apply a loose dry dressing. If the burn is larger than 4 inches in diameter or if the skin is broken go to A&E, consult your doctor or practice nurse.

Colds

Even in this day and age there is still no magic cure for the common cold. Go to bed, take plenty of drinks. If you have a headache or are feverish take Aspirin or Paracetamol. Do not bother to take antibiotics you may have in the house - these will have no effect.

Gastroenteritis

This describes a group of diseases affecting the stomach or part of the intestine. Symptoms are often diarrhoea, sickness and stomach ache. Because the lining of the stomach is likely to be inflamed, medicines are often immediately vomited up. Large quantities of water, weak diluted juice or thin soup should be taken to avoid dehydration. Consult your doctor if symptoms persist for more than a day or in the case of babies and young children 6 hours. Diarrhoea in very young children and babies needs careful attention. Most babies have a loose bowel action during their first six months due to their predominantly liquid diet. Sudden bouts of unusually watery diarrhoea should be treated by taking the baby off solids and feeding it a solution of boiled water. If symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or are accompanied by vomiting and weakness consult your doctor.

Sprains

First apply a cold compress containing ice if possible ( a bag of peas from the freezer wrapped in a thin towel will do) for 15 to 30 minutes to reduce the swelling. Apply firmly a crepe bandage and give the sprain plenty of rest, keeping it elevated until the discomfort has subsided.

Nose Bleeds

Sit in a chair, leaning forward with your mouth open and pinch your nose just below the bone for 10 minutes, by which time the bleeding should have stopped. Avoid hot drinks or food for 24 hours. If symptoms persist consult your doctor.

Minor Cuts and Grazes

Wash the wound with water and cotton wool. To stop the bleeding apply a clean handkerchief or dressing firmly to the wound for about 5 minutes. Cover with a clean dry dressing.

Sunburn

Treat as for other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotions will relieve the irritation and Paracetamol will also help. It is better to avoid sunburn with the sun protection creams suitable for your skin.

Insect bites and stings

Antihistamine tablets can be otained from the chemist without prescription and will usually relieve most symptoms. Bee stings should be scraped away rather than ’plucked out’ in order to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom sac into the wound.

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 a prescription or washing the hair as usual, rinsing in vinegar and rigorous brushing every day for 4 or 5 days usually works.

Chickenpox

On the first day a rash appears as small red patches. Within a few hours small blisters start developing in the centre of these patches. During the next 3-4 days further patches will appear and the earlies ones will ’crust’ and fall off. Oily calamine lotion may be applied to soothe itching. Cool baths may also help. The most infectious period is from 2 or 3 days before the rash appears and up to 5 days after this date. Children may return to school as soon as the last ’crusts’ have dropped off.

German Measles (Rubella)

The rash appears during the first day and usually covers the body, arms and legs in small pink patches about 2-4mm and doesn’t itch.No other symptoms are usually present apart from occasional aching joints. It is infectious from 2 days before the rash appears until the rash disappears, usually 4 to 5 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 their doctor.

Measles

The rash is blotchy and red and appears on the face and body around the 4th day of illness. It is at its most infectious from 2-3 days before the rash appears until 8 or 10 days after that date. Immunisation can prevent this disease.

Mumps

Symptoms are swelling of the glands in front of one or other ear followed after a couple of days by swelling in front of the other ear. It is infectious from 2 to 3 days before the swelling appears until 8 to 10 days after that date. If the pain is severe you should consult your doctor. As the practice consistently achieves greater than 90% MMR vaccines uptake Measles, Mumps and Rubella are very rarely seen.