COMMON AILMENTS

Many conditions get better on their own and can be treated successfully at home. Your pharmacist may be able to help and give you advice about medicines that you can buy ‘over the counter’.

*  Colds and Flu *  Diarrhoea and Vomiting *  Backaches, Sprains and Strains *  Head Lice *  Insect Bites and Stings *  Nosebleeds *  Sunburn *  Burns and Scalds *  Fever *  Chickenpox

Colds and Flu 

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These usually start with a sore throat, runny nose and / or cough. You may well develop a temperature and aches in your body. These illnesses are caused by viruses and antibiotics will have no effect. Treatment consists of taking the recommended doses of paracetamol and drinking plenty of fluids. Your chemist may suggest other symptom relieving remedies. Do not worry if you do not feel like eating for a few days, you will come to no harm so long as you keep up you intake of fluids.

Diarrhoea and Vomiting 

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In adults and older children these will usually get better on their own. Drinking clear liquids is the treatment required to replace the fluid that is lost. Rest the digestive system by avoiding milk and solids until the symptoms ease. Sachets of Dioralyte or Rehidrat powder may be bought from the chemist and made into drinks. Taken with other fluids these help to minimise dehydration and actually reduce the diarrhoea.  Imodium is also available from the chemist, but this is only suitable for older children and adults. It slows the bowel’s contractions, thereby reducing colic as well as the diarrhoea. If there is blood in the diarrhoea, severe pain or high fever, then the problem should be discussed with your doctor.

Diarrhoea and vomiting in small babies and young children should be treated with caution and the doctor will be happy to give advice over the telephone and arrange a visit if necessary.

Backaches, Sprains and Strains 

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These will often respond to a few days rest with pain relieving medicines such as paracetamol and Ibuprofen. Gentle movement and local warmth may also help with backache. If symptoms continue you should consult your doctor. With an acute sprain, of an ankle for example, apply a cold compress for 15 to 30 minutes (a pack of frozen peas makes a good compress). Then apply a crepe bandage and elevate the affected limb above the level of the heart to further reduce the swelling. This may be the only treatment required, but if in doubt, contact you doctor to do to the casualty department of the local hospital.

Head Lice 

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They prefer clean hair and are not a sign of poor hygiene. Special shampoos can be purchased from a chemist without a prescription. It is important to treat all members of the family.

Insect Bites and Stings 

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Most require not treatment. Calamine lotion, mild hydrocortisone cream and antihistamine creams and tablets can be bought from a local chemist and will settle most symptoms.

Nosebleeds 

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These should be treated by sitting in a chair, leaning slightly forward and breathing with your mouth open. Firmly pinch the soft part of the nose below the bone. Wait a full 10 minutes, during which time the bleeding will usually stop. Do not try to blow your nose to clear a clot. Contact you doctor if bleeding continues.

Sunburn 

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This is avoidable - prevention is the best cure.

You should minimise your exposure to the harmful effects of strong sunlight. This is not just because of the unpleasantness of sunburn but because of the relationship between long term exposure to ultra violet light and increased skin ageing and some skin cancers. Children are particularly susceptible to sunburn and should be kept in the shade as much as possible, using clothing, hats and high factor sun cream for protection as appropriate. If you are in the sun, protect yourself with a suitable sun cream. The chemist will advise you on the correct factor for you skin type. Should sunburn occur, treat with cold water, calamine lotion and take paracetamol.

Burns and Scalds

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These should be treated immediately by applying plenty of cold water to reduce the temperature of the burnt area and continuing until the pain settles. If the skin is unbroken but blistered, cover with a clean light dressing. Do not attempt to burst the blisters. Usually no further tratment is needed. If the burn is larger than three to four centimetres across or if the skin is broken, consult a nurse or doctor. With skin loss or a large burn, it is important to seek advice on the day of the injury.

Fever

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Fever, or a ‘temperature’ is common with many mild infections in childhood. It is most important always to have paracetamol, of a type suitable for the ages of your children in the house. This is the only medicine that is effective in lowering fevers in children. A child or an adult with a fever will not come to any harm by being wrapped up and brough to the surgery. If you are in doubt or a child seems particulalry unwell, contact you doctor for further advice.

Chickenpox

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This usually starts witha fever and a headache. There is a rash of small red spots about 4mm across, which, as the days pass, decelope a central blister. This later dries to a crust and eventually falls off. The rash can be very itchy and with each rise in the fever, a new crop of spots will appear. The most infectious time is from two to three days before the rash appears until the last crust has dried. Calamine lotion and antihistamine medicines are helpful in relieving the itching. Remember, the hotter the skin, the more it itches, so keep it cool and use paracetamol for the fever. Children may return to school as soon as the last crust has fallen off.