Back Pain
Back pain is very common and is usually caused by spasm or cramping of the muscles. It can occasionally pass into the buttocks or upper leg. Unless the pain passes into your legs you should remain as active as possible. Simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen should be taken and a warm water bottle applied to the painful area will help soothe it.

If your back pain persists for more than a few days it is advisable to contact the doctor who may advise alternative painkillers, exercises or physiotherapy.

Burns
Immediately cool down the area with cold water or ice sealed in a plastic bag. Continue for at least 20 minutes. Burns heal best if left open to the air.

Blisters should not be burst but left intact. Should blisters accidentally burst they should be covered with a dry sterile dressing to help prevent infection.

Medical attention should be sought if the burnt area is bigger than the burnt person’s hand, if there is blistering or if the burn is deep, causing the skin to be white or charred black.

Colds
Unfortunately, there is still no cure for the common cold. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help for fever and general aches and pains, and regular drinks should be taken to replace fluid lost by sweating. Gargling with soluble aspirin or paracetamol can help ease a sore throat, as can various remedies available from the chemist. Inhalation remedies from the chemist may help provide relief from a blocked nose.

The common cold is a viral infection and so antibiotics are not needed and do not help.

Diarrhoea
Most diarrhoea is caused by viral infections and treatment is by replacing lost fluid by taking plenty of non-milky drinks. Rehydration solutions available from the chemist are useful for small children and also in adults with excessive diarrhoea. Milk and milk-based foods are best avoided for 24 hours and babies' formula feed can be diluted to half strength.

If diarrhoea persists for more than 24 hours or if it is red in colour, a sample should be brought to the surgery (suitable containers are available from reception).

The doctor should be consulted if you have a high temperature or if symptoms persist more than two days in children or more than one week in adults.

Vomiting
The most common causes of vomiting are irritation by a viral infection, or eating food that has gone off. Treatment is replacing lost fluids by very frequent sips of water and very diluted fruit juice.

Sprains
Sprains are treated by raising the injured part and applying a cold compress, containing ice if possible. This should be done for 15-30 minutes to reduce swelling as much as possible. A firm bandage such as tubigrip should then be applied (but removed at night) and the affected part kept raised as much as possible. Paracetamol may help for pain and ibuprofen may help speed recovery.

Nosebleeds
Sit upright and breathe evenly through the mouth while holding the nose closed.

Pinch the soft part of the nose just below the bone for a continuous period of 10 minutes. Apply ice in a plastic bag to the bridge of the nose. Avoid blowing your nose for 24 hours. Consult the doctor if you are on blood thinning drugs, if you have high blood pressure, or if children have frequent nosebleeds.

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 five minutes. Cover with a clean dry dressing. See the nurse if your tetanus is not up to date.

Insect Bites and Stings
Antihistamine tablets can be obtained from the chemist without prescription and will usually relieve most symptoms or use topical creams.

Note: bee stings should be scraped away rather than “plucked” in order to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom sac into the wound.

Head Lice
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. To help prevent infection, condition hair once a week and comb through with a fine toothed or special nit comb.

Cystitis
Cystitis is an infection of the urine which makes you need to urinate (pass water) more frequently and can cause stinging on passing urine. If you think you have cystitis bring a urine sample to the surgery in a clean container (available from reception). The sample can then be tested at the surgery and, if necessary, sent away for further testing. You should also drink plenty of fluids - lemon barley and cranberry juice can be particularly effective.

To help prevent cystitis occurring regularly drink plenty of fluids, wear cotton underwear and avoid using bubble bath. If you are prone to cystitis always urinate before going to sleep and after love making.

Chickenpox
On the first day a rash appears as small red patches about three to four mm across. Within a few hours of these developing small blisters appear in the centre of these patches. During the next three or four days further patches will 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.

Antihistamine tablets or suspension can be bought from the chemist. The most infectious period is from two or three days before the rash appears and up to five days after that day. Children may return to school as soon as the last “crusts” have dropped off.

Earache
Earache can be caused by eczema in the ear, by earwax or by infection in the middle ear. Symptoms of a middle ear infection are earache, a feeling of a blockage in the ear and a temperature. Many ear infections are caused by viruses and do not need antibiotics.

Treatment is by taking simple painkillers and laying with the head a little higher in bed. Holding a warm towel against the ear can also help provide pain relief. A doctor should be consulted if symptoms persist for more than 48 hours or if there is any discharge or bleeding from the ear.