Please note: this is general advice only and NOT a substitute for seeing your doctor. If you have any further concerns please seek attention from your GP.

Home Treatment of Minor Illnesses and Useful Medicines to Keep at Home

Many minor illnesses can be safely and successfully treated at home. The following information may help you decide whether a visit to the surgery is necessary. If you need further advice you can phone the surgery and speak to a doctor, district or practice nurse or health visitor. A useful rule is whether the patient is otherwise ‘well’ with the illness. Those that become generally unwell should seek advice especially those who are elderly or young.

Coughs, Colds, Sore Throats and Earache
Most of these infections are due to viruses, against which antibiotics are not effective. The treatment normally involves controlling pain and fever which occur commonly with all of the above. You can bring down fever and control pain by regular use of paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen as directed on the bottle (this is available in a mixture for infants and tablet form for older children and adults). It is also important to rest and drink plenty when pain and fever are present, to prevent dehydration and aid recovery.

Diarrhoea and Vomiting
Diarrhoea and vomiting can be serious conditions for babies and elderly people and advice should be sought for these groups. For most people the initial treatment is to ensure that enough fluids are taken. This is best achieved by taking small amounts of clear, non fizzy fluids, such as diluted squash or water frequently. It is best to avoid milk products, fizzy drinks and alcohol as these can make symptoms worse. Bland food, such as dry toast, thin soups and plain biscuits can be taken as tolerated. Gradual return to a normal diet can be expected as symptoms improve. It is important to remember that adequate fluid intake is more important than food at the beginning of the illness.

Medication to stop diarrhoea and vomiting is usually unnecessary and is best avoided in children and the elderly, as side effects of this treatment can make you worse and delay recovery. If you do find your diarrhoea particularly distressing and are normally well, you can get further advice from your local pharmacist, who will advise you on what suitable treatment is available without prescription. A Doctors opinion should be sought if diarrhoea does not settle or if blood/discharge is passed with the stool or if you become very weak.

Urinary Tract Infection/Cystitis
With infections of the urinary tract, it is common to experience pain or a burning feeling when passing urine (water) and urine may be passed more often and in small amounts. It may also be bloodstained. Symptoms can be helped by drinking plenty of liquid to 'flush out' the bladder. It is advisable to seek medical advice early if you think you have urinary tract infection (especially if the patient is a child) and you may save time by bringing a sample of your urine to be checked by the nurse before seeing the doctor.

Warts and Verrucas
These are caused by a virus and almost all disappear in time with no treatment. Discomfort from verrucas can be avoided by keeping them soft and 'pared down' with the use of a pumice stone or a foot scraper. We provide further information sheets on this and recommend over-the-counter wart removing preparations. For the few warts or verrucas that cause persistent problems, we occasionally offer surgical removal or freezing with liquid nitrogen. If you feel this may be needed, you will be required to make an appointment to discuss it with one of the doctors. As a general rule ‘Over The Counter’ preparations should be tried first.

Simple Back Pain
If your back pain is due to an obvious cause, such as heavy gardening and the pain is restricted to the lower back with no other symptoms, this can initially be treated by resting for the first day or so, taking regular painkillers, such as paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen. After this, it is important to start gentle activity to prevent stiffness in the back. If your symptoms fail to improve or you develop weakness/loss of sensation or bowel/bladder control it is important that you make an appointment to see your doctor urgently.

Sprains and Strains
There is usually an obvious cause, such as a twisting injury when playing sports. There may be pain and some swelling. The initial treatment is to rest the affected limb, put ice packs (a bag of frozen peas is just as good) onto the swelling, raise the affected limb, such as resting it on a stool or pillow and take painkillers regularly such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin. If you suspect that you may have a broken bone a trip to the Accident and Emergency Department of the local hospital is more appropriate than visiting your doctor as an x-ray may be needed.

Safety in the Sun
Skin cancer is increasing rapidly and it is thought that the best way to prevent this is to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and sunburn. Information on safety in the sun is available from the surgery and most chemists.
Everyone and especially children should always be protected by a high factor (25+) sunscreen that is applied regularly. They should wear light clothing, a hat, good quality sunglasses and also avoid being outside during the hottest hours (between 11.00am - 3.00pm). If sunburn does occur, stay indoors, treat with calamine lotion and cool baths, ensure that you drink plenty. If you are concerned about changing moles, lumps or odd patches on your skin please make an appointment to see your doctor.

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

If you have had sex without using Contraception or think your contraception may have failed please contact the Surgery as soon as possible.
The emergency contraceptive pill is most effective in the first 24 hours after sex but can be given up to 72 hours after.

If it is more than 72 hours (3 days) after sex you should still contact the
Doctor as we may still be able to help you.

Useful Medicines to Keep at Home

The following medicines are readily available from the local chemist shop and some supermarkets and do not require a prescription.
They should be kept in a secure place where children cannot reach them and contained in bottles with childproof tops.

Always follow the instructions and advice given with the medicine. If in doubt, your pharmacist will be able to advise you.

Paracetamol Tablets or Mixture: - this can be used for pain and fevers. It is particularly effective in viral illnesses such as colds and flu.

Aspirin: - can be used by adults and children over 16 years of age. (It should be avoided in people with asthma and those with a history of indigestion or ulcers.) It can be used as an alternative to paracetamol for pain and fever control. Some people find that gargling with two aspirin dissolved in a small amount of water is particularly good for sore throats.

lbuprofen Tablets or Suspension: - for adults and children over one year of age. (It should be avoided in people with asthma and those with a history of indigestion or ulcers.) It can be used as an alternative to paracetamol for pain and fever control.

Menthol Crystals/Vapour Rub: - added to hot water, these inhalations can be used for treating catarrh and dry painful coughs. Saline drops are suitable for babies.

Calamine Lotion: - for dabbing (not rubbing) on insect bites, stings, sunburn and chickenpox.

Plasters, Simple Dry Dressings, Cotton Wool: - can be used for cleaning and dressing minor cuts and grazes.

Thermometer: - this is useful for checking fevers and monitoring effectiveness of fever-relieving treatments.

Antihistamines: - for any allergic reaction including hayfever, itching and swelling associated with insect bites and stings etc.

Tweezers: - for removing splinters.
Your pharmacist can give useful advice about these and other medicines you may be taking.

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