Douglas Grove Surgery

Many common aches and pains can be simply treated at home without the need to consult a doctor. The pharmacist can assist in many common treatments.  Please contact them for advice. This section will help you decide when you need to seek medical help or what you can safely treat yourself.

Back pain
The spine is a complex arrangement of bones separated by gristly discs which act like shock absorbers. Most back pain is caused by injury and by taking painkilling tablets most backaches will resolve in a few days. If it does not, or if your back pain is accompanied by pain down your legs and arms, you should consult your doctor.

Bed sores
Bed sores are far easier to prevent than cure. They are caused by prolonged pressure to certain parts of the body when lying in bed for long periods. They can be prevented by encouraging the patient to shift position as often as possible and taking care to smooth out creases in the bottom sheet which could lead to localised irritation. Keep your eye open for red marks appearing on the pressure points such as heels, elbows, buttocks and hips and, if they begin to appear, inform the doctor before they get worse.

Burns
Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as possible and maintain this until the pain subsides. This may take as long as 15 minutes. If the skin is unbroken but blistered, apply a loose, dry dressing. If the burn is larger than four or five inches in diameter or if the skin is broken, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Colds
Even in this day and age there is still no magic cure for the common cold. Go to bed, take plenty of drinks. If you have a headache or are feverish, take aspirin and paracetamol. Do not take any antibiotics you may have in the house – these will have no effect, and can cause resistances in the future.

Chickenpox
On the first day a rash appears as small red patches about 3-4mm across. Within a few hours of these developing, small blisters appear and the earlier ones will turn ‘crusty’ and fall off. Calamine lotion may be applied to soothe the often severe itching. Cool baths may also help. The most infectious period is from two or three days before the rash appears and up to five days after this day. Children may return to school seven days after the outbreak of the most recent crop of spots.

Mumps
Symptoms are painful swelling of the glands in front of one ear often followed, after a couple of days, by swelling in front of the other ear. It is infectious from two or three days before the swelling appears until eight or ten days after this day. If the pain is severe you should consult your doctor.

Nose bleeds
Sit in a chair, lean forward over a basin or bowl with your mouth open. Pinch your nose firmly with your thumb and first finger. You should pinch the fleshy mobile part just below the bony bridge itself. Keep your nose pinched for approximately ten minutes and breathe through your mouth. Avoid hot drinks for a few hours after that. Try also not to wipe your nose too much, or to sneeze. If the bleeding persists, consult your doctor.

Sprains
First apply a cold compress, containing ice if possible, for 15 to 30 minutes. A bag of frozen peas is ideal for this. This will reduce blood flow to the sprained area and, therefore, minimise bruising and subsequent swelling. Firmly apply a crepe bandage and give the sprain plenty of rest until the discomfort has subsided. If possible, keep the sprained joint raised. This will make it more comfortable and less swollen.

Stomach ache
Most attacks are not serious and are usually caused by indigestion or wind. A hot water bottle will often relive the symptoms and, in the case of indigestion, a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in half a glass of water will help. If the pain lasts longer than eight hours or increases in intensity you should consult your doctor.

Sunburn
Treat as for other burns with cold water to remove heat. Calamine lotion will relieve the irritation whilst paracetamol 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. Always wear a high factor sun cream to prevent sun burn.

Head lice (nits)
These creatures, contrary to popular belief, prefer clean hair and are, therefore, not a sign of poor personal hygiene. Medicated head lotion can be obtained from the chemist without prescription, however doctors advice to thoroughly wash all in the household and condition daily. Your Health Visitor can give advice concerning your children.

Insect bites and stings
Antihistamine tablets can be obtained from the chemist without prescription and will usually relieve most symptoms. Note: Bee stings should be scraped away rather ‘plucked’ in order to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom sac in the wound.

Temperature
A fever can make a child feel uncomfortable and irritable. The following are things that you can do that may bring the temperature down and make your child feel more comfortable.

You can give paracetamol or ibuprofen. Both of these medicines can lower a temperature. You can buy these medicines in liquid form for children. They come in various brand names. An alternative is to give soluble paracetamol in a drink. The dose for each age is given with the medicine packet.

Note: these medicines to not treat the cause of the fever. They merely help to ease discomfort. You do not need to use these medicines if the child is comfortable and not distressed by the fever.
Note: do not give both paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time. However, on occasions, if a fever is difficult to control then for each time a medicine dose is given a doctor or nurse may advise alternating one of these medicines with the other. It is best only to do this ‘alternating’ dose regime after assessment by a doctor or nurse.

Note: do not use ibuprofen for:
* Children know to react (have hypersensitivity) to ibuprofen or to other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
* Children in whom attacks of asthma have been triggered by an NSAID.

Take the clothes off the child if the room is normal room temperature. It is wrong to wrap up a feverish child. The aim is to prevent overheating or shivering.

Give lots to drink. This helps to prevent dehydration. You might find that a child is more willing to have a good drink if they are not so irritable. So, if they are not keen to drink, it may help to give some paracetamol or ibuprofen first. Then, try them with drinks half an hour or so later when their temperature is likely to have come down. If breastfeeding then keep breastfeeding as breast milk is the best fluid. However, you can offer feeds more often to increase the amount of fluid.

Do not cold-sponge a child who has a fever. This used to be popular, but is now not advised. This is because the blood vessels under the skin become narrower (constrict) if the water is too cold. This reduces heat loss, and can trap heat in deeper parts of the body. The child may then get worse. Many children also find cold sponging uncomfortable.

Minor cuts and grazes
Wash the wound thoroughly with water and a little soap. To stop bleeding apply a clean handkerchief or dressing firmly to the wound for about five minutes. Cover with a clean, dry dressing.

Diarrhoea
In adults, diarrhoea is usually caused by a virus infection and is therefore unable to be treated directly. The symptoms can usually be eased by the traditional kaolin and morphine mixture or by medicines containing codeine. Holiday diarrhoea is often due to bacteria. Again, kaolin and morphine mixture can be taken. In both cases, consult your doctor if the symptoms persist for more than a few days. Diarrhoea in very young children and babies needs very careful attention. Most babies have loose bowel actions during their first six months due to their predominately liquid diet. Sudden bouts of unusually watery diarrhoea should be treated by taking baby off solids and feeding it with a cooled solution of boiled water with a teaspoon of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt to the pint. If the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, or are accompanied by vomiting or weakness consult your doctor.

Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis describes a group of diseases affecting the stomach or part of the intestine. Symptoms are often diarrhoea, sickness and stomach ache. Because the lining of the stomach is likely to be inflamed, medicines are often immediately vomited up. To avoid dehydration you should drink large quantities of water, diluted fruit juice or thin soup. If you are still vomiting, stick to water only. Try sipping it, frequently, in small amounts. Consult your doctor if you continue to be sick for more than 24 hours (six hours in the case of babies and infants).

German measles (Rubella)
The rash appears during the first day and usually covers the body, arms and legs in small pink patches about 2-4mm, and doesn’t itch. No other symptoms are usually present apart from occasional aching joints. It is infectious from two days before the rash appears, until the rash disappears in about four or five days from that date. The only danger is to unborn babies and, therefore, it is important that all contact are informed in order than anyone who may be pregnant may contact their doctor.

Measles
The rash is blotchy and red and appears on the face and body around the fourth day of illness. Measles is most infectious from two or three days before the rash appears until eight or ten days after that date. Though the rash is very dramatic, measles is accompanied by more upsetting symptoms. The whites of the eyes and inside the nose become sore, red and watery. A cough develops and many patients also suffer from earache. Paracetamol syrup and a simple cough linctus will help. The patient will also find comfort staying away from bright sunlight in a shaded room. If the symptoms are very distressing your doctor.

Please note: Immunisations can prevent this distressing and sometimes even dangerous disease.