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Minor illnesses and injuries can be successfully treated using remedies from your pharmacist. However if you are unsure, or if pain persists, see your doctor |
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A child will develop a temperature because of an infection. Most childhood infections are viral and do not respond to antibiotics. Try to lower your child's temperature by -
- Administering Paracetamol (Panadol) in doses recommended for a child of that weight and age.
- Dress your child in cool clothes i.e. t-shirt and shorts. Leave the child's head uncovered. Open doors and windows.
- Give the child plenty of cool drinks as fluid is lost with a fever. If the child is reluctant to drink, encourage small amounts from a favourite cup or let them use a straw.
- Sponging your child down, particularly the head with a cool flannel, will make your child feel better as well as lowering their temperature.
- If your child does not improve after giving Paracetamol and sponging or appears particularly ill, bring them in to see your doctor.
- Sick children will always be seen as soon as possible.
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Remove the person from the danger. Extinguish flames if the person's clothes are on fire. Cool the burnt area by holding it under cold, running water or immerse the area in cold water until the pain subsides. This should take at least 10 to 15 minutes.
If the skin is unbroken but blistered, apply a cold water soak dressing and seek medical attention. This also applies if the skin is unbroken. (NEVER BREAK BLISTERS CAUSED BY A BURN).
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Drink plenty of fluid and go to bed. If you have a headache, or are feverish, take the recommended dose of Paracetamol. |
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 Sore throats are usually caused by viruses and they generally improve after four or five days. Antibiotics cannot cure the virus, however, gargling with Aspirin (NOT FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12), prior to being swallowed; and sucking throat lozenges will help |
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As well as pain, there will probably be bruising and swelling. Apply a cold compress, containing ice if possible, for 15 to 30 minutes to reduce the swelling. Bandage firmly, and give the sprain plenty of rest until the discomfort has subsided. Further strain will lead to added swelling and a longer recovery period. |
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Sit the patient down with their head tilted forward over a bowl. While the patient breathes through their mouth, pinch their nose just below the bone for about 10 minutes. The bleeding should stop. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. |
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 If the wound is dirty, rinse it under cold running water and clean around it with soap and water, wiping away from the wound
To stop bleeding, apply a clean dressing firmly to the wound for about five minutes. Cover with a clean dry dressing and NEVER put cotton wool directly into an open wound |
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If a young child or baby has a sudden bout of watery diarrhoea and/or vomiting, take them off solids and milk and offer plenty of clear fluids or electrolyte fluid. If your baby is breast fed, continue breast-feeding. If the symptoms are severe, or the child continues to vomit for more than 12-24 hours, see the doctor.
The same principles apply to adults. Offer frequent clear fluids or electrolyte fluid. If you have persistent diarrhoea after a trip abroad, a stool sample may need to be checked by the laboratory and you should contact your doctor. |
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Antihistamine tablets can be bought from the chemist without prescription and will usually relieve most symptoms. If symptoms persist - see your doctor.
Bee stings should be scraped away rather than 'plucked' to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom sac into the wound |
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Contrary to popular belief, headlice prefer clean hair and are, therefore, not a sign of poor personal hygiene. There are a number of options available to treat headlice. Ask your doctor for details. |
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Self Treatment of minor ailments
How to look after a child with a temperature
Burns