Burns
Apply cold water to the burnt area as soon as possible until the pain subsides. Then apply a non-stick dressing to the burn. For advice for larger burns consult your doctor or A&E.
Cold and Influenza
Unfortunately there is no cure for the common cold or influenza. The average person is said to have between four and six colds a year. The best, and cheapest, treatment for these common conditions is paracetamol with rest and plenty of fluids. Your pharmacist is also able to provide you with additional symptomatic relief, ie cough medicine if you require it.
Occasionally, colds are complicated by another infection such as sinusitis or ear infection in which case your doctor may well give you an antibiotic.
People with chronic chest conditions or heart disease should always consult their doctor if they suspect they have a cold or influenza as antibiotics may be required to re prevent complications. In addition, people with these conditions, as well as those with diabetes or impaired immunity, or anyone over the age of 65 years should consider an annual influenza vaccination.
Diarrhoea
If you have acute (short-term) diarrhoea, the symptoms are likely to settle down within a week and tests are usually unnecessary. However, if your diarrhoea becomes more persistent or if you have other symptoms (such as blood in your stools or dehydration) your doctor may ask for a stool sample to investigate for bacteria or parasites.
Diarrhoea often goes away without treatment after a few days because your immune system will automatically fight the infection. In the meantime you can ease your symptoms by following the following steps below:-
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Buy rehydration drinks from your pharmacy if you are becoming dehydrated
- Eat as soon as you can. Salty foods such as soup can help replace salt lost from your system
- Buy anti-diarrhoea medicines from your pharmacy
- Continue breast feeding or bottle feeding your child.
If your child is generally unwell, or you are otherwise worried, please contact the Practice.
Fever
A fever is the body’s response to infection. Fevers in young children should always be taken seriously. If you suspect your child is feverish you must allow them to lose heat by stripping them off down to their nappy if necessary. You must also give them a dose of paracetamol mixture, ie Calpol according to the instructions on the bottle.
Should your child have a febrile convulsion then turn them on their side and call for a doctor. If you are unable to control your child’s temperature or if they are still unwell when it returns to normal then please consult your Doctor.
Headlice
These common creatures, contrary to popular belief, prefer clean to dirty hair and are not a sign of poor personal hygiene. Head lice shampoo can be bought from your chemist without prescription. For a preventative measure try combing conditioner through hair with a fine tooth comb.
Insect bites and stings
1% Hydrocortisone cream available from your pharmacy will give excellent relief and is available without prescription.
Minor cuts and grazes
Wash the affected area in warm water with antiseptic. Apply a clean non-stick dressing.
Sunburn
Prevention is the best cure! For small burns apply calamine lotion. For larger burns please consult your doctor.
Worms
Children are especially prone to infection from cats and dogs. The worms lay eggs around the anus usually at night-time. This makes the area itchy; the child scratches it and transfers the eggs via the fingernails to the mouth so reinfecting them. This cycle can be broken by scrupulous attention to their hygiene by keeping their nails short, and scrubbing their nails with a scrubbing brush after going to the toilet.
Alternatively, one dose of anti-worm tablets can be bought from your pharmacy without prescription.