Management of Common Ailments

Many conditions get better on their own and can be treated successfully at home. Your pharmacist may be able to help you and advise about medicine you can buy over the counter.

Information on treatment of some of the common ailments is available from the following pages in the NHS Direct Site.

Common Health Problems

• Common health problems
• Colds and Flu These usually start with a runny nose, cough, temperature and aches. They are caused by a virus and antibiotics are of no use in their treatment.  Treatment consists of taking recommended doses of painkiller for the aches and drinking plenty of fluids.
• Diarrhoea and Vomiting In adults and older children, diarrhoea and vomiting will usually get better on their own.  Treatment consists of replacing the fluids that you have lost and resting the digestive system by having nothing solid to eat for 24 hours. Sachets of Dioralyte , which can be made into a drink are available from the chemist. If the diarrhoea contains blood or there is severe pain or high fever, you should discuss it with your doctor.  Diarrhoea and vomiting in small babies and young children should be treated with caution and the doctor will be happy to advise you about this over the phone and arrange to see you if necessary.
• Backache, Strains and Sprains Many acute strains and backache will respond to painkillers and a few days of rest.  If the symptoms persist contact the doctor.
• Insect Bites and Stings Most of these need no treatment.  Antihistamine tablets can be obtained from the chemist without prescription and will relieve most symptoms.
• Nosebleeds Sit in a chair (leaning forward with your mouth open) and pinch your nose just below the bone for about 10 minutes by which time the bleeding usually stops.
• Burns and Scalds Taking the heat away for the skin as soon as possible is the most important factor.  Apply large quantities of cold water immediately, for up to 15 minutes if necessary.  If the skin is broken, or the area of the burn is larger then 4-5 inches in diameter, further advice should be sought.
• Childhood Infections:
• Chicken Pox On the first day the rash consists of small red spots 3 or 4mm wide.  Within a few hours these develop into small blisters at the centre.  During the next three or four days further spots will appear and the earlier ones will turn crusty and fall off.  Calamine cream may be applied to help the itching.  The most infectious period is from 2 or 3 days before the rash appears, until the last crusts have formed dry centres.  Patients must be isolated for a minimum of 10 days from the onset rash.
• German Measles   The rash appears during the first day of illness and usually covers the body, arms and legs in small pink spots about 2-4mm in size and does not itch.  There are usually no other symptons, apart from occasional aching joints.  It is infectious from 2 days before the rash appears.  Isolate for 7 days from onset of rash, the only danger is to unborn babies and it is important to avoid women who are pregnant.
• Measles  The rash is blotchy and red and appears on the face and body on about the fourth day of feeling unwell and is ofte accompanied by a cough.  It is most infections from 2 or 3 days before the rash appears until 7 days afterwards.  Immunisations can prevent this disease.
• Mumps The symptons are swelling of the salivary gland in front of one ear often followed a few days later by swelling in front of the other ear.  It i infectious for 2 or 3 days before the swelling starts and until the swelling has subsided.  Immunisations can prevent this disease.