Self Treatment of Common Illnesses and Accidents

Advice is available from your pharmacists or calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or your doctor.

Many common illnesses and accidents can be treated at home without needing to see a doctor. We hope that you will find the following advice helpful. If you are uncertain as to what to do or are worried please ask us for advice. We do have standard advice leaflets available for the conditions mentioned below. If you would like a copy of one of these please ask the receptionists for the relevant patient information leaflet.

Back pain
Most episodes of back pain are caused by twisting, lifting injuries or bad posture. This pain can come on suddenly or can come on after a fall or lifting a heavy weight. Paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines such as Ibuprofen can help. These are available from your pharmacist. Do not confine yourself to bed but take gentle exercises until the pain subsides. Heat packs or ice packs applied to the area for no more than 30 minutes at a time can help. This can be repeated every few hours. Ice packs should be wrapped in a tea towel to avoid direct contact with the skin. You should seek advice if the pain is travelling down into your leg or that it affects control, or that you have lost control of your water or bowels.

Burns and scalds
If there is any shortness of breath or the burn is following electric shock dial 999. If the burn or scald area is larger than the size of the patient’s own hand, face or mouth contact NHS Direct. If none of the above apply and you are happy to treat this yourself any burn or scald can be treated by applying large quantities of cold water for 15 minutes. Any blisters that develop should not be burst and may be covered with a loose dry, none fluffy dressing. Paracetamol can be used for the pain.

Chicken pox
Chicken pox is caused by a virus. A rash develops of small red spots, which then develop into tiny clear blisters. Calamine lotion can be used to ease the itching. The child should be kept cool by taking cool baths every 3-4 hours this helps reduce the itch. Anti-histamines are available from your pharmacists, these help reduce itching and promote sleep and may help at night. Children may return to school as soon as the scabs are fully dry. If the child is in contact with anybody who is pregnant you can either contact NHS Direct or contact the midwife.

Colds and runny noses
Colds are caused by viruses and cannot be cured by antibiotics. Adults can take 2 Paracetamol or 2 soluble Aspirin every 4 hours up to a maximum of 8 in 24 hours. This will help lower temperature and ease aching muscles. Gargling with soluble Aspirin will help a sore throat. Take plenty of drinks. Children under 12 should not take Aspirin but the appropriate dose of Paracetamol mixture (Calpol) can be given. Steam inhalations are helpful as are Vick, Menthol and Karvol but do not use these in babies under 3 months old. The illness can last a total of 7-10 days. Children often have repeated colds and this allows them to build up a resistance to infection. If this condition gets worse or other symptoms develop seek further advice from NHS Direct.

Coughs
Coughs are usually due to virus infections and can often persist for up to 2 weeks following a cold. They can be eased by inhaling steam with Vicks Menthol Crystals or Karvol added to the water. A dry cough may be helped by a cough suppressant from your pharmacist. Cigarette smoke in the house will make your cough worse even if you do not smoke in the same room. If a cough persists or is associated with blood, chest pain or breathlessness; see your doctor.

Cuts
Wash the wound thoroughly. Apply a clean dressing and put on pressure until the bleeding stops. If the wound is gaping or you are worried seek medical advice, usually at your local casualty department. This is especially important if the cuts are dirty. If you are not up to date with your tetanus a booster should be given within 24 hours. A tetanus booster is required every 10 years for full cover.

Cystitis
If you are passing water more often than usual and it stings each time, you may have a bladder infection (cystitis).
Adult males, children and pregnant women should seek advice from their doctor. Bringing a water sample with you will help us make a diagnosis.
Adult females should drink plenty of fluids and take Paracetamol. If there is no improvement after two days or is associated with backache or passing blood seek medical advice. There are cystitis preparations available from the pharmacist for e.g. Cymalon.

Constipation
This is a common problem, as we get older as we do not eat as much nor do we take as much exercise. Often medications such as water tablets and painkillers can lead to constipation. It does not matter if you don’t go to the toilet every day or even only once or twice a week. It is more important the motions are not hard. By drinking plenty of fluids and eating fibre (brown bread, bran, vegetables and fruit) most people can manage comfortably. Laxatives such as Senokot can help but do not take these on a regular basis. If your bowel habit changes suddenly and persists for more than 3 weeks make an appointment with your doctor.

Diarrhoea
Babies with diarrhoea can get dehydrated. This is more likely if your baby has had watery or very loose bowel motions more than 3 times in the past 24 hours. You should contact NHS Direct if you are worried, if your baby is feeling hot and sweaty or has vomiting and diarrhoea. If other members of the family or friends who have eaten the same food in the past three days are affected consider food poisoning. If it is very mild follow the self-care advice below otherwise seek further medical advice. You should also seek advice if you have had persistent diarrhoea for more than a few weeks or the diarrhoea is associated with red blood or tar like material.
Other cases are suitable for self care:-
Drink clear, non-fizzy fluids for 24 hours. Several re-hydration fluids such as Dioralyte are available from your pharmacist and they help. Introduce soft bland foods such as potatoes, bread and dry biscuits in small amounts and once your bowel motions are more solid you can start eating your usual diet. Avoid fruit and high fibre food until your diarrhoea is ceased.

Earache
Earache often occurs with a cold as a result of catarrh. Paracetamol or Aspirin (only in adults) may be all that is required. Earache that persists for longer than 24 hours may need advice from your doctor.

Fever
This is a feature of many infections such as a cold or the flu. Remove excess clothing, this allows the skin to radiate its heat. Fluid loss is increased with fever so take plenty of cool drinks. Use Paracetamol, Aspirin or Ibuprofen to reduce fever. Children under 12 should not take Aspirin. If the fever persists for more than 48 hours, especially in the very young, old or frail ask for further advice either from NHS Direct or your doctor.

Head injury
It is unlikely that serious injury will result if the person can remember what has happened or was not knocked out. You should seek further advice if any of the following occur or have occurred: loss of consciousness, vomiting, blurred or double vision, drowsiness, difficulty in walking or severe headache. It is usually better if you attend the local casualty department.

Insect bites and stings
A cold compress is soothing. Calamine or anti-histamine cream eases the soreness and itching. Anti-histamine tablets may be helpful and can be obtained from your local pharmacist. Do not remove bee stings by squeezing the sting, try to scrape it away.

Nose bleeds
Sit in a chair leaning forward with your mouth open and pinch the end of your nose. Sucking ice cubes can help. If the bleeding has not stopped after 20 minutes or you feel faint or unwell contact your local hospital casualty department.

Rashes
If the rash does not fade when a tumbler glass or finger is pressed against the rash dial 999 for immediate help. Other rashes, particularly those associated with a cough or runny nose or swellings in the neck are usually due to a viral rash. A child should be kept cool. Paracetamol can be used for fever or aches and pains. Avoid dehydration. If you are unsure or are worried about the rash phone NHS Direct. If the rash develops into blisters this could be chicken pox.

Sore throats
Most sore throats are caused by viral infections, which do not respond to antibiotics. Sip iced water regularly and use Paracetamol (or soluble Aspirin in adults). A sore throat that persists for longer than a week may require further treatment and you should seek medical advice.

Sprains and strains
Immediately apply a cold compress e.g. pack of frozen peas or crushed ice wrapped in a tea towel to take down the swelling. A firm bandage will give support. Rest the affected area, if it is your leg that is affected raise it above hip level to reduce swelling. If you can walk on the affected leg it is unlikely to be a fracture.

Sunburn
Prevention is better than cure, sun block creams, factor 15 and above should be used to prevent sunburn. This may reduce the risk of skin cancer later in life. If sunburn occurs treat with cold water as for other burns to try and reduce the heat using Calamine lotion and Paracetamol if required. If the patient feels ill seek medical advice.

Thrush
Is a very common cause of an itchy thick creamy white vaginal discharge in women. It can be triggered by antibiotic treatment and sometimes associated by the pill or pregnancy. The doctor may be able to leave you a prescription, but should it become a recurrent problem you should make an appointment with the doctor as there may be an underlying cause which when treated would prevent recurrence.

Vomiting

• Babies
  If baby is well and is just vomiting small amounts after each feed this is called posseting and is not a matter of concern. If baby has a cold and vomits after coughing you should follow the advice given under colds and flu. If baby is crying continuously obviously in pain, floppy, refusing to drink or not passing water you should seek further advice. Otherwise you may wish to treat it yourself. If breast-feeding continue as normal unless vomiting has occurred more than twice in which case seek further advice. If bottle-feeding switch to re-hydration fluids such as Dioralyte in small quantities as per the instructions. Do not gives large volumes of fluid in one go. Babies will often tolerate slightly warm fluids better than cold.

• Children
  Vomiting is common in children with temperatures and lowering their temperature with Paracetamol will help. If vomiting continues for more than one day stop all solid food and just give clear, flat, lukewarm fluids. Children in severe pain or who are unable to keep their fluids down should seek further advice. Give only sips of water for the first two hours and then increasing the amount of clear fluids every two hours. When re-starting solid food start with a bland diet such as bread, dry biscuits etc.

• Adults
  Repeated attacks of vomiting, vomiting associated with severe abdominal pain, vomiting associated with blood or unusual severe headache can be due to many causes and you should seek medical advice. Vomiting for 24 hours without any of the other symptoms is usually due to viral infections of food poisoning. Stop all solid foods. Try sips of clear, flat, lukewarm fluids building up to a cup full at a time over 12 hours. Twelve hours after the last bout of vomiting re-introduce solid food (bland e.g. Dry biscuits, toast or crackers). Avoid fatty foods including milk until the vomiting has completely settled.