Self Treatment of Common illnesses & Accidents

Back Pain

90% of bad backs get better in two weeks anyway. If, as is usual, the pain has been caused by simple abuse, (eg lifting weights that are too heavy) be sensible and take things easy. Paracetamol may be taken. Ibuprofen is also useful if this does not give you indigestion and if you are not asthmatic. This will not only relieve the pain but will help to relieve inflammation. It may also help to use an ice pack over the painful area. Your doctor may well prescribe stronger drugs if necessary. At the onset of symptoms, rest is essential. At night rest your back by lying on a firm mattress.

When to see the doctor :-

if the pain fails to respond to pain killers or lasts for more than 2 weeks.

Insect bites

These are common in the summer. They look like spots about 1/4" in width. They are very itchy and usually appear on exposed parts of the body, eg arms and legs. The itching can be relieved by calamine lotion or 1% hydrocortisone cream. These can be bought at the chemists without prescription. Antihistamine tablets can be obtained from chemists without prescription and will usually relieve most symptoms. Antihistamine creams are not recommended. Note: Bee stings should be scraped away rather than plucked in order to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom sac into the wound.

Bruises

If a child gets up at once after a fall and moves about normally, it is unlikely that a bone has been broken. However, the child may be stiff the next day because of the bruising which has occurred. A cold compress may ease a bad bruise if applied at once after the fall. This is made by soaking some material in water and applying it to the bruise or, preferably, by wrapping ice cubes in a tea towel. A bag of frozen peas makes an equally effective cold compress. Bruises on the head may cause anxiety. If the patient was not "knocked out" and can remember the accident it is unlikely that serious illness has resulted. However, if the patient was knocked unconscious and cannot remember what happened, he or she should be taken to the hospital casualty (A&E) department without delay.

Burns and Scalds

Minor burns and scalds cause redness of the skin. Pour a large quantity of cold water over the affected areas as soon as possible. This may take as long as 15 minutes. Do not use oily or greasy ointments on burns as this "cooks" them and makes them worse. If the skin is unbroken but blistered apply a loose, dry dressing. If the burn is larger than 4" to 5" in diameter, or the skin is broken, consult your doctor or practice nurse as soon as possible. They may suggest that you go to Casualty (A&E).

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis or inflammation of the white of the eye can be quite infectious but is rarely serious. Both eyes are usually affected. Older children will often complain of slightly sore eyes with a gritty feeling. They will sometimes wake up in the morning with yellowy-white matter in the corner of their eyes and this may well re-accumulate after cleaning during the day. Clean your child's eyes frequently (every 3 or 4 hours) with plenty of water. Use pieces of cotton wool which you should then throw away. Conjunctivitis will often get better by itself within two or three days. Because it is quite infectious it may be necessary to keep your child away from playgroup or school for a day or two until the problem has started to clear up.

Coughs

A cough is the most common symptom presented to the doctor. The best treatments are steam inhalations. A decongestant linctus which can be bought from a chemist should be used sparingly.

When to see the doctor :-

	if breathing is accompanied by a pain in the chest or shortness of breath.
	if coughing produces blood.
	if coughing continues long after the cold has gone.

Sometimes as the common cold clears up and you feel better you may produce yellow or green spit. This usually stops after a few days. If at this stage you feel more ill the lower air passages may be infected and you should see a doctor.

Croup

Croup is a particular type of cough which sometimes affects young children up to the age of 4 or 5 years old. The child will frequently go to bed with a slight cold and awake during the night with a cough that sounds very much like a dog's bark. You should take them at once into a steamy atmosphere such as the bathroom with a hot shower running or the kitchen with a couple of saucepan's of water boiling on the stove. With this treatment the croupy cough should settle within 10 to 15 minutes. When putting the child back to bed, you should prop the head or top of the bed with either telephone directories under the legs of the bed at the head end of the bed or a folded blanket or cushion under the top part of the mattress. Avoid exposing your child to cigarette smoke. Croup is often worse at night and will generally last only a day or two.

When to see the doctor :-

	if your child seems to be having problems with their breathing.
	if your child is drooling saliva.
	if there is a possibility that your child has swallowed or inhaled an object.

Cuts and Grazes

Most cuts and grazes can be treated at home. The bleeding can usually be stopped by continuous pressure over the cut after 3-4 minutes. Apply plaster firmly, bringing the edges of the cut together. Try to keep dry for 1-2 days. See the doctor or practice nurse if the cut is deep and the edges cannot be pulled together with a plaster or dressing.

Diarrhoea

In adults most diarrhoea is usually caused by a viral infection and cannot be treated directly. However it is very important to stop eating all food stuffs, including milk and to maintain an adequate intake of clear fluids (water or water flavoured with a small amount of fruit juice). If holiday diarrhoea persists for more than 2 days consult your doctor. Diarrhoea in very young children and babies needs very careful attention. Most babies have loose bowel actions (soft poo) during their first 6 months due to their mainly liquid diet. Sudden bouts of unusually water diarrhoea should be treated by taking the baby off solid foods and feeding the baby either boiled water or water mixed with rehydrating sachets such as Dioralyte. These can be bought from the chemist. If symptoms persist for more than 24 hours and are accompanied by vomiting or weakness you should consult your doctor.

Treatment - Drink - encourage the patient to drink plenty of water in frequent, small amounts to avoid retching.

When to seek medical advice :-

	if the diarrhoea or discomfort does not begin to settle within 48 hours
	if there is continuous pain rather than separate bouts of stomach cramp
	if an attack comes shortly after a visit to a foreign country
	if the patient suffers repeated attacks
	if there is blood mixed with the stool
	if a young child is not taking fluids well or has had symptoms more than 24 hours

Earache

Earache occurs most often in children. They often have a cold, a sore throat or teething at the same time. This usually due to a viral infection. Younger children may pull at their ears, whilst older children will complain of discomfort, especially when lying down. Do not give anything that contains aspirin to any child under the age of 12 years. Give your child a medicine or tablet such as paracetamol for their pain and temperature. Raise the head of their bed with either a few books or telephone directories under the legs at the head end of the bed or place a cushion or folded blanket under the top part of the mattress. Ensure they sit in a steamy atmosphere (either a steamy bathroom or steamy kitchen) for about a quarter of an hour, two or three times a day, to help decongest them. Avoid exposing your child to cigarette smoke.

When to see the doctor :-

if the earache does not settle after about 24 hours or is getting worse.

Headlice

Contrary to popular belief these creatures prefer clean hair and are therefore not a sign of poor personal hygiene. Do not use anything except conditioner and comb regularly with a fine tooth comb. Inspect the whole family and treat those infected. If the problem re-occurs treat everybody even if they are not infected. If this does not get rid of the headlice ask for our leaflet on lotions.

Nose Bleeds

Sin in a chair (leaning forward with your mouth open) and pinch your nose continuously just below the bone for at least 10 minutes, by which time the bleeding should have stopped. At the same time you can put an ice pack or frozen peas to your forehead. When going to bed, sleep on two or three pillows. Avoid hot drinks, alcohol or blowing your nose for 12 hours.

When to see the doctor :-

if a nose bleed lasts more than 30 minutes and is still heavy then go to Casualty (A&E) as they have the equipment to stop it/treat it.

Stuffy, running nose

The common cold usually starts with a hot feeling in the back of the nose and sometimes a dry throat. The patient feels generally unwell and achey. After a day or two the nose starts running with a clear liquid and after 3-4 days this changes to a thick, yellow discharge. There may be a slight temperature and the whole illness lasts 7-10 days. There is still no cure for the common cold.

Treatment :-

Take plenty of drinks. If you have a headache or are feverish take paracetamol. Do not take any antibiotics you may have in the house - they may make matters worse.

Sore Throat

Most sore throats are caused by a viral infection which antibiotics cannot cure. With simple treatment, however, the patient normally gets better in 4 or 5 days. The lymph glands on the neck may also swell. These swellings are the normal response to infection. Sometimes a sore throat may occur with the common cold. In cases of influenza there may be dryness of the throat, pain on coughing and loss of voice.

Treatment :-
gargle with half a teaspoon of salt or a soluble aspirin in a glass of warm water three times per day. Take paracetamol for pain and/or temperature. Drink plenty of fluids. Food should not be forced on a patient who does not wish to eat.

Children: Do not give anything that contains aspirin to any child under the age of 12 years. Young children should be given paracetamol for pain and/or temperature.

When to see the doctor :-

if the sore throat is still getting worse after 3 days. If a child cannot swallow foods or particularly fluids. If the temperature rises above 39.5 deg C or 103 deg F. The old adage is that with antibiotics a sore throat will get better in 7 days, without antibiotics it will get better in a week!

Sprains

First apply a cold compress containing ice if possible and elevate the limb for 15-30 minutes, then apply a crepe bandage firmly.

Sunburn

Treat as for other burns, with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotion can relieve any irritations, paracetamol tablets will also help. Children are particularly susceptible to sunburn and great care should be taken to avoid over-exposure to the harmful effects of the sun. Covering up and the use of high factor sun cream is advisable to prevent burning in children. At least factor 15 for everyone, total block for young children. T-shirts, sunglasses and hats should also be worn.

Vomiting

Vomiting may be caused by a viral infection of the stomach, by eating too much, or by drinking too much. It usually stops within 24 hours, but in some cases may be followed by diarrhoea.

Treatment - eat nothing. Drink small quantities of cool, boiled water every hour. Do not drink milk or hot fluids. As the stomach settles take foods such as dry biscuits, bread or breakfast cereals before gradually returning to a normal diet.

When to seek medical advice :-

	If vomiting is accompanied by continuous stomach pain.
	If vomiting lasts for more than 24 hours.
	If a child is unable to take any fluids and is unusually ill, lethargic/drowsy.