Minor Ailments
 Anilmal Bites
Clean the wound immediately with water and apply antiseptic cream. You may need a tetanus booster and a course of antibiotics
Back Pain
Many acute strains will respond to a few limited days of rest and taking paracetamol. Also, many conditions are amenable to treatment by a registered osteopath. If your symptoms persist, please consult your doctor. When sitting, sit upright and support the small of your back.
Burns
Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area immediately and continue until the pain eases and the skin cools. Any blisters that are present should not be burst and may be covered with a loose dressing. Take paracetamol for the pain. If the skin is broken or a large area is affected, consult your doctor.
Colds
These are caused by viruses and cannot be cured by antibiotics. Adults should take two paracetamol four times a day to lower the temperature and ease aching muscles. If a sore throat is present, gargling soluble aspirin will help. Children under 12 should take the appropriate dose of paracetamol and should not take aspirin, until over 16. Steam inhalations with menthol may be helpful.
Coughs
These are usually caused by viruses. A dry cough may be helped with a cough linctus. It may be made worse by cigarette smoke. If a cough persists, produces blood or is associated with chest pain or shortness of breath, consult your doctor.
Cuts
Wash the wound thoroughly. Apply a clean dressing and put pressure on until the bleeding stops. A tetanus booster is needed if your last immunisation was more than 10 years ago. If a wound needs suturing, please go to the accident and emergency department.
Cystitis
This is due to an inflammation of the bladder, causing pain on passing urine and urgency. Simple preparations from the chemist can help make the urine less acid and ease the burning. Take paracetamol; drink plenty of fluids (at least two litres a day) and rest. If your symptoms do not improve or you develop a fever, backache or pass blood, please consult your doctor. Remember to take a urine sample (in a sterilised bottle) when you attend.
Diarrhoea and/or vomiting
It is important for the stomach and bowel to rest completely. Therefore, rest and do not eat, or drink milk, until you have been symptom-free for 12 hours.
Take Dioralyte, water flavoured with cordial or flat coke. If the vomiting is a problem, take small sips every 15 minutes. After 12 hours with no vomiting or diarrhoea, start with lightly toasted bread or biscuits and drink plenty of fluids.
Normal food should not be resumed for another 12 hours. If there is no improvement in two days, or if water is not being tolerated, please consult your doctor. If you have blood in the stools, fever or have travelled recently, please consult your doctor to discuss stool samples. If you work in the food industry, please consult your doctor.
Earache
This often occurs with a cold, as a result of catarrh. Paracetamol is usually all that is required. If repeated doses are required, please consult your doctor.
Earwax
This can sometimes give considerable pain and deafness. It can usually be removed by applying olive oil to each ear for 20 minutes twice a day for five days. If this fails, syringing can be considered.
Fever
Children under the age of five run the risk of febrile convulsions if they become too hot. They should be given regular paracetamol and if the temperature remains high remove clothes, sponge with lukewarm water and use a fan.
Head injuries
Please consult the doctor if there is a loss of consciousness, vomiting, blurred or double vision, drowsiness, difficulty walking, severe headache or if you are worried.
Head Lice
These creatures prefer clean hair and are therefore not an indication of poor hygiene. Medicated head lotion can be obtained from the chemist without prescription.
Indigestion
Eat regular meals. Avoid smoking and reduce alcohol intake. For mild discomfort, try Gaviscon or Milk of Magnesia. Ranitidine or Omeprazole is useful for recurrent symptoms. Please consult your doctor if the pain is severe or persists, you pass dark motions, you have noticed recent weight loss or you have difficulty swallowing.
Insect bites or stings
A cold compress is soothing. Calamine or antihistamine cream eases the soreness and itching. Antihistamine tablets can be obtained from the chemist. Bee stings should be scraped, rather than plucked, in order to avoid squeezing the venom sac into the wound.
Nosebleeds
Sit in a chair, leaning forward with your mouth open and squeeze the soft tissue below the bridge of the nose. If the bleeding has not stopped after 20 minutes, or if you feel faint or unwell, attend the casualty department.
Sprains
Immediately apply a cold compress, for example a pack of frozen peas or crushed ice wrapped in a towel, for 20 minutes and repeat three times a day. A firm bandage will give support. Rest the affected area and elevate it. Use simple analgesics such as paracetamol or Brufen.
Sunburn
Avoid overexposure, especially in children who are more susceptible. Sunburn can predispose to melanoma, the fastest growing malignancy in the UK. Treat as for other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotion will relieve the irritation. Paracetamol will also help.
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