Burns & Scalds

• Immediately run cold water on the burn and keep it there for 10 minutes (this will help to cool the burn and relieve the pain)

• Do not remove clothing or anything else that sticks to the burn

•Do not burst any blisters that form

•Do not put on any creams

Go to your nearest accident and emergency if:

•The burn is large, covers a joint, is painful to touch, is on a child, or if there is sickness, shivering or a temperature; and

•cover the burn area with ordinary kitchen clingfilm

Back Pain

Back Pain causes 13 million working days to be lost each year.  The symptoms are localised pain in one part of upper or lower back, which may be worse when bending or coughing.

Causes

•Stiffness or Spasm of the spine muscles caused by activities you’re not used to or an uncomfortable sleeping position.
•Obesity
•Pregnancy
•Incorrect lifting
•Dislodgement of spinal disc

Treatment
•Initially rest for a painful back is important.
•Take simple painkillers like paracetamol
•Apply local Heat


Consult your doctor if....
•The pain persists for more than a few days
•The pain extend into one or both legs or arms
•The pain came on with no cause
•Your bottom, arms or legs are numb or tingling
•Its difficult to move any arm or leg
•Coughing or sneezing makes the pain worse
•You do not have normal bladder or bowel control

Colds & Flu

 A cold usually begins gradually, it makes you feel generally unwell and achy, and then produces a runny or blocked nose.  After a day or two your nose runs with a clear liquid which then becomes thick and yellow.  You may also have a sore throat, sneezing, a cough and a slight temperature.  Symptoms may last 7-14 days.  A cold is a viral illness which cannot be treated with antibiotics

What you can do:

•Drink plenty of fluids
•Alternate paracetamol and aspirin every 3 hours; this will ease your sore throat and muscle pains
•Keep warm and rest
•Ask your pharmacist for advice on what over-the-counter medication would best treat your symptoms
•If you have children, ensure you have paracetamol suitable for children under 12 years and do not give children under 12 aspirin.

If you are taking other medicines, always check with your pharmacist.  Many cold and flu products contain paracetamol.  Using several products together is very dangerous.  If you already have cold or flu medicine in the house, check that it has not passed its sell-by-date.

Insect Bites & Stings

 •For wasp stings, bathe the area in vinegar.
•For bee stings, remove the sting and bathe the area in baking soda and water mixture.
•Rub calamine lotion or other soothing creams on the area.

Serious stings are rare.  They happen if you are allergic to bee or wasp stings or you are stung on the tongue or throat.  Some people can be severely allergic to insect bites or stings.

 If you have a severe allergic reaction, call 999 for an ambulance