Burns and scalds
The priority for burns or scalds is to cool the injury by getting it under cold water as soon as possible. Hold it there for at least ten minutes. For a moderate/severe burn, remove any jewellery, belts or shoes (in case of swelling)
- DO: Cover the burn with a sterile dressing.
- DO NOT: break blisters, apply any creams or touch the burned area.
For a minor burn, ask your pharmacist For a severe burn or severe sunburn, or have a chemical or electrical burn or injury to the eyes contact your local Accident & Emergency department.
Cold sores
One in four people get recurrent cold sores. These painful raised blisters around the mouth can take up to 10 days to form and heal. They're highly contagious and can be passed on by kissing, touching another person’s mouth or other part of their body. As they're caused by the
herpes simplex virus HSV-1, they cannot be treated by antibiotics.
Many people are carriers of the cold sore virus which can be triggered into life by stress, feeling run down or when fighting off another infection.
Cold sore creams (containing antiviral agents) are available from your pharmacist. If used early enough, creams can prevent the blister or help it heal more rapidly. To prevent spread, wash hands carefully and don't share towels.
There is still some concern that cold sores may be linked to genital herpes (caused by HSV-2). If in doubt, use a condom or oral barrier (ask your pharmacist).
Constipation
Often caused by lack of fibre in the diet or not drinking enough fluids.
Sometimes it can also be caused by medicines you are taking (eg, codeine), hormonal changes or stress.
- Make sure your diet includes plenty of wholegrain, and starchy food such as cereal and bread (18 to 30g a day), and at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables.
- Drink plenty of fluids – at least 7 glasses a day not including tea/coffee.
- Keep physically active.
Laxatives that will kick start your bowel movements are available over the counter. Ask your pharmacist for the type to suit you. If these do not work, or you have lower abdominal pain or other symptoms such as persistent vomiting, weight gain or loss and tiredness speak to your GP or call NHS Direct.
Frequent changes in bowel habit such as constipation followed by diarrhoea, or the other way round, also need to be checked out. Bowel cancer is common but very treatable when caught early.
Headaches
The most common remedies for pain relief are ibuprofen, aspirin and paracetamol. These analgesics will also reduce a high temperature. (Aspirin should not be taken by anyone who has suffered from serious stomach problems such as peptic ulcers, or anyone under 16, except after advice from a doctor or pharmacist.)
If you use a computer at work take a break regularly to avoid eye strain. Stress is also a cause of headaches.
Hangover headaches are largely caused by dehydration due to alcohol and insufficient fluid. The most effective cure is prevention by
drinking plenty of water, preferably the same night as you've been drinking perhaps substituting water for some alcoholic drinks while you are out and by ensuring you get plenty of fluids the next day. Drinking water before you go to bed may help.
The recommended pain relief for the ‘classic hangover’ the next day is paracetamol. Other analgesics can irritate what might already be a sensitive stomach. However, you should not mix any alcohol or analgesics on the same night.
There are also products specifically designed for hangovers in an effervescent form which provide headache relief, rehydration and replacement of electrolytes.
If you are suffering from a headache for more than a few days or on a frequent basis speak to your doctor or call NHS Direct for more advice.
Indigestion
A burning pain in the chest which goes into your throat, a bitter taste in the mouth, bloated or gassy stomach, general stomach discomfort, too much wind. Many of us are familiar with overdoing it on the food or drink.
Indigestion (or dyspepsia) is any symptom or collection of symptoms caused by disruption of the body’s digestive system. Almost everyone
will experience it at some time. Techniques to beat it include:
- Avoiding spicy, fatty or large meals, especially just before bedtime
- Putting an extra pillow under your head at night as it is harder for the acid to flow uphill
Your pharmacist can advise you on the range of remedies available, like antacids which treat symptoms. But speak to your GP or call NHS Direct if:
- Symptoms suddenly get worse, are not relieved by medicines, last longer than one week or if they come back when you stop taking your medicine
- There are other symptoms such as weight loss, vomiting, blood in or black stools
- It is difficult to swallow or it feels like food sticks in your throat when you swallow
- There is shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing
- There is a severe pain in your back, throat, ear, chest or neck
- You have ever had surgery on your stomach, a stomach ulcer, bleeding in your stomach or intestine, or you have anaemia.
Mouth Ulcers
These are painful, white blisters in the mouth or on the tongue. Unlike cold sores, mouth ulcers are not caused by the herpes virus. They occur for a wide range of reasons from friction on dentures to stress, bacterial or fungal infection, lack of sleep, feeling run down and/or a lack of vitamins (especially B12).
You can buy a number of gels at your pharmacist that contain antiseptics or antibacterial agents combined with pain relief ingredients that can
help a mouth ulcer.
Ulcers can also be a sign of colitis and oral cancer, so if they keep coming back you should call NHS Direct or see your GP.
Sickness and diarrhoea
Sickness (nausea) and diarrhoea is not usually a sign of anything serious. Usually they are caused by a bug, something you’ve eaten or too much food or alcohol. Some people also suffer sickness while travelling.
There are a range of remedies you can buy to help ease nausea, relieve travel sickness and relieve diarrhoea. Ask your pharmacist for advice.
- Do not eat food or take painkillers until the sickness has stopped
- Drink water little and often, even if it does not stay down for long. Keeping fluid intake up will help stop you getting dehydrated
- If suffering from diarrhoea, don't have rich food or caffeine.
Sickness and diarrhoea should stop in 24 hours and then you can start introducing foods again but try not to overload your stomach too quickly
If it doesn't clear up after a day or keeps coming back, consult your pharmacist, GP or NHS Direct. Also see the GP if:
- There is blood in your vomit or stools or dark brown/black matter in your vomit
- You have had a head injury in the preceding 24 hours and are sick
- Your sickness is accompanied by a very high temperature, severe headache, abdominal, neck or back pain and/or bright light bothers you and you feel drowsy or confused
- You are on medication and regularly feeling sick as this may be a side effect from your medication.
- The material on this page is available in the MHF's mini-manual Self care for minor ailments by Dr Ian Banks with cartoons by Jim Campbell. (Updated 2009)
Page last updated: 06/11/2009
