Back Pain
Back pain causes 13 million
working days to be lost in Britain each
year. The spine is made of 24 fragile bones
and associated cartilage and tendons, and
supports the whole upper body weight, so
it is unsurprising to find that it sometimes
goes wrong. Most cases of back pain are
self limiting and will get better with rest
and time.
Contact your GP if the
pain persists for more than a few days,
or the pain cannot be controlled with stronger
OTC painkillers. If the pain was caused
by misuse, such as lifting a heavy load,
it is advisable to take things easy and
avoid activities and postures that put further
stress on the back. Paracetamol or ibuprofen
are helpful in controlling the pain and
in reducing inflammation.
Burns
Apply
clean, cold water to the whole burn area
as soon as possible - seconds can count
with burns. keep cold water running over
the burn until pain subsides sufficiently
- up to 15 minutes.
If the skin is unbroken
or blistered then cover with a loose dry
dressing. If the burn exceeds 3-5 inches
(10-12 cm) in diameter or the skin is broken
then consult your doctor or the local A
& E Department as soon as possible.
Treat the associated pain with a strong
painkiller.
Insect Bites & Stings
Most
insect bites and stings are harmless, some however
will provoke a mild reaction to the bitten area
that may lead to a rash and/or swelling. These are
easily treated. Clean the area around the sting/bite
with antiseptic solution & cotton wool. Remove
sting if it is still present in the skin.
Note: Bee stings
should be scraped away rather than 'plucked' in
order to avoid squeezing the contents of the venom
sac into the wound. Apply Hydrocortisone ointment
or Calamine lotion to relieve itching & reduce
any inflammation. An antihistamine tablet at a recommended
dose can be useful in further reducing any allergic
swelling, rash and itchiness. If you have a serious
allergic reaction to an insect sting, e.g. rapid
swelling or difficulty breathing, seek immediate
medical advice and help.
Minor Cuts & Grazes
Clean
the cut or grazed area with cotton wool and an antiseptic
solution diluted in lukewarm water. Dab the area
dry carefully and apply an antiseptic cream. Use
a plaster to cover & protect the cut or grazed
area. If the cut or graze should become infected
seek medical advice as you may need a prescription.
Nosebleeds
Pinch the base of the nose
together, sitting down with the head tilted
forwards for 15 minutes or alternatively
pack the bleeding nostril with soft tissue
for the same time. This should stop the
bleeding. If there is still fresh blood
after 2 hours contact your GP.
If you are taking warfarin and
suffer a nosebleed contact your doctor immediately.
Sprains
Elevate
& rest the sprained joint and use ice
or an alternative such as frozen peas wrapped
in a cloth for around. 15 minutes. Apply
a crepe bandage to the sprained joint, resting
it until pain levels subside sufficiently.
Sprained joints can be painful for periods
of up to and beyond several days.
Follow the
simple advice of RICE for sprains - Rest,
Ice, Compression, Elevation.
Sunburn
Treat
sunburn as any other burn. Use Calamine lotion to
cool the affected area & reduce discomfort. Paracetamol
may also help reduce the pain. Try to avoid sunburn
in the first instance by not staying out under a hot
sun for long periods & using a high factor sun
cream/block (at least factor 15 for babies & young
children). Children are especially susceptible to
sunburn, particularly fair-skinned and red-headed
youngsters.
Over exposure to the sun's ultraviolet
rays and sunburn can greatly increase the
chance of skin cancer, so cover up and use
sunscreen. |
