Self Treatment for Common Conditions
Please note that this advice is only general and if you have any concerns or in doubt please contact us or NHS Direct.
- Back Pain in Adults
- Burns and Sunburn
- Chickenpox
- Colds and Sore Throats
- Diarrhoea and Vomiting
- Head Lice
- Insect Bites
- Nosebleeds
- Small Cuts and Grazes
- Sprains
- 24-hour Advice from NHS Direct
If you have back pain because of heavy lifting or staying in an
awkward position for a while, be sensible and take things easy. Take
up any position that is comfortable for you. If you find you do need
to lie down for relief, do not stay in bed for more than two days.
Ibuprofen or paracetamol can be bought over the counter from a
pharmacy and help to relieve pain and inflammation. If pain persists
for more than a few days, consult the surgery. If you developed back
pain because of something that you did at work, make sure that you
let your employer know about it.
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Burns and Sunburn
Apply cold water from a tap to the affected area
as soon as possible and continue until there is less pain, sometimes
for up to 15 minutes. Paracetamol may help with the pain. The skin
may blister or burn. If the skin is broken, apply clingfilm or a
loose dry dressing and consult the surgery.
Prevention is the best management for burns. Make sure that any
source of heat is used carefully and kept out of reach of children.
Use a high sun protection factor sun cream and sun hat and spend
only small amounts of time each day in the sun. This is especially
important for children. This will also help to reduce the chance of
developing skin cancer such as melanoma in the future.
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Chickenpox
This viral infection is common in children. Small red
patches 3-4 millimetres across appear on the first day, and within a
few hours blisters appear in the centre of them. As older blisters
turn crusty, crops of newer ones appear. After about five days, no
more new blisters appear. The rash may be very itchy, and cool baths
and calamine lotion can help. Infectiousness is highest from 2 days
before to 5 days after the rash appears. Children may return to
school after new blisters stop appearing and the older crusts have
fallen off.
Adults may have a more severe form of chickenpox and should consult
the surgery if they think they have caught this infection. If you
are pregnant and have been in contact with someone who has chicken
pox, please consult the surgery.
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Colds and Sore Throats
Colds are caused by viruses. There is still no
cure for colds and antibiotics will not affect them If you have
caught a cold, drink plenty of fluids. If you have fever or a
headache with the cold, you may try ibuprofen or paracetamol if you
are not allergic to them.
Most sore throats are caused by viruses and antibiotics will not cure
them. There is no need to see a doctor if your only symptom is a
sore throat. Children should be given paracetamol and fluids. Adults
may find gargling with soluble aspirin helpful if there is no
history of aspirin allergy. If you are hot, shivery and unwell in
yourself, you may have a bacterial infection and need
antibiotics--in this case, please consult the surgery.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and dispose of
used tissues carefully to prevent the virus from spreading to other
people.
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Diarrhoea and Vomiting
This usually caused by a virus, and
antibiotics
will not cure the condition. If you are an adult, you may use over
the counter anti-diarrhoeal medication on the advice of your
pharmacist. Drink small amounts of fluids every half an hour whether
or not you vomit shortly afterwards. If you pass blood or mucus in
the motions or the diarrhoea continues for more than 5-6 days,
please speak to the Duty Doctor or Nurse Practitioner.
Most babies have loose motions while they are on a mainly liquid
diet in the first six months of life. If babies or young children
have sudden bouts of unusually watery diarrhoea, offer them small
amounts of any liquids every half an hour. If a rash develops or
blood is passed or your child becomes unwell in himself/herself,
please consult the surgery.
Make sure that you wash your hands carefully after dealing with any
body fluids to prevent the spread of infection.
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Head Lice
These creatures like to live on clean heads and lay their
eggs on hair. They spread from other people and cause itching. Apply
ordinary hair conditoner for 1 hour, then rinse it out. Then comb
the hair every 2 to 3 days with a nit comb, which you can buy from
your Pharmacy, to remove dead lice and eggs. After a week, if you
can see live lice, which have hatched from the eggs, you will need
to reapply the lotion and then comb again for a week.
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Insect Bites
These may look like small pimples, bumps or large
blisters. They are usually itchy and are commonly found on the lower
legs, arms and other uncovered areas. Do not try to pluck out bee
stings--these should be scraped away. Do not pop the blisters. If a
blister has popped, cover the area with a clean, dry dressing. Do
not scratch the affected area. You may take over the counter
antihistamines for the next 10 to 14 days to reduce the reaction.
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Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds usually come from a fragile blood vessel just
inside the nostril on the ridge of gristle down the middle. Pinch
the fleshy parts of the nostrils together hard between your thumb
and middle finger for about 10 minutes, breathing through your mouth
instead. This should stop the bleeding. If the bleeding comes back
and persists in spite of doing this, please contact the surgery.
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Small Cuts and Grazes
Wash the wound thoroughly with running water.
Apply a clean handkerchief or dressing firmly to the wound for about
five minutes to stop bleeding. Cover with a clean, dry dressing.
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Sprains
Rest the affected part for 48 hours, keeping affected ankles
level with your hips, for example by lying on a sofa with your feet
up. You my apply ice for 15 to 30 minutes at a time to the injured
part unless you have a poor circulation or problems with sensation
in it. Remember to wrap the ice in a towel first to avoid giving
yourself an ice burn. You may take over the counter paracetamol or
ibuprofen on the advice of your Pharmacist.
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24-hour Advice from NHS Direct
You may ring NHS Direct for nurse-led,
confidential help at any time on 0845 4647.
NHS Direct will be able to give you advice on what to do if you are
feeling ill, health concerns, local health services and self-help
and support groups.
They are also online at
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
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