Self Treatment of Illnesses & Accidents

• Antihistamine tablets for itchy or allergic rashes and hayfever
• Canesten cream for athlete's foot
• Canesten pessary or Diflucan oral capsules for treatment of vaginal thrush
• Chloramphenicol eye drops for conjunctivitis (sticky red eyes)
• Cough mixtures for dry or productive coughs
• Dioralyte or Rehidrat rehydration fluids, very useful for children with diarrhoea or vomiting
• Gaviscon liquid or tablets for hiatus hernia and heartburn
• Hydrocortisone 1% cream for application to allergic rashes and insect bites
• Ibuprofen gel for relief of muscular pains and sprains
• Laxatives for relief of constipation
• Loperamide capsules (Imodium) for control of diarrhoea in adults
• Ovex tablets for treatment of worms
• Paracetamol (Calpol/Junior Disprol) for children's fevers
• Paracetamol or Co-codamol - painkillers
• Sodium bicarbonate ear drops for waxy ears. Please never 'poke' things into your ears or use cotton buds!
• Zovirax cream for cold sores

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• These are caused by viruses and, even in this day and age, there is no cure
• Antibiotics can only kill bacteria, not viruses
• Paracetamol will relieve headache, sore throat and aching muscles as well as bringing down the fever
• The illness will last five to six days but the cough may persist for two or three weeks in all

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• A fever is common with most infections and simple measures to lower the temperature will make you feel much more comfortable
• Keep the room cool
• Leave the body exposed to allow the excess heat to escape from the body, especially children
• Take plenty of cool drinks. Take regular paracetamol or aspirin. (No aspirin for under 16 years of age)
• Sponge down with tepid flannel - leave the patient damp and repeat when dry

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• Prevent dehydration - drink plenty of fluids
• Dioralyte or Rehidrat are available at any chemist and are very useful for young children
• If vomiting is a problem take small sips of fluid every few minutes
• Symptoms should settle in 24-36 hours
• If symptoms persist or if vomiting is very frequent, see your doctor

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• Rash appears as small red patches with itchy blisters
• Rash will dry up and crust over in four to five days
• Child is infectious until no new spots are appearing and existing spots have all crusted over
• Calamine lotion and cool baths will help the itch

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• Found in clean hair as often as dirty hair
• Spread by head-to-head contact
• Cover hair with conditioner and comb through thoroughly with nit comb. Repeat every three or four days for two weeks
• Treat all members of the family and notify the school
• You can buy lotions (permethrin or malathion) from the chemists as additional treatment

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• Small white worms seen in poo
• Suspect if there is itching around the anus especially at night
• Spread by eggs under fingernails put into the mouth
• Medicine is available from the chemist
• All family members should be treated

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• Usually begins as a strain caused by poor lifting technique
• Sleep on firm bed and maintain good posture when walking
• Painkillers and rest for the first 1-2 days is usually all that is required
• Early mobilisation helps back pain resolve

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• Very common in women
• Causes a burning sensation when passing urine
• Drink plenty of fluids
• If your symptoms last more than 24 hours consult your doctor

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• Immediately apply large quantities of cold water
• If skin is unbroken but blistered apply a loose dressing
• If burn is large or skin broken contact the nurse

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• Sunburn is bad for your skin
• Children are especially susceptible
• Cool the skin with cool water and apply calamine lotion
• Paracetamol and an antihistamine will reduce the reaction

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Available From Your Chemist

Colds, Coughs & Stuffy Noses

Fever (Raised Temperature)

Vomiting & Diarrhoea

Chickenpox

Headlice

Threadworms

Back Pain

Cystitis

Burns

Sunburn