Health Charities
01 Dec - 28 Feb
Marie Curie
Marie Curie
Marie Curie Cancer Care is a UK charity dedicated to the care of people with terminal cancer and other illnesses. Over the financial year 2010/11, we reached a total of 31,799 patients
01 Dec - 28 Feb
YouthHealthTalk
YouthHealthTalk
Youthhealthtalk enables young people, their family and friends, and professionals such as doctors and teachers to understand young people's experiences of health, illness and life in general. The website feature real-life accounts of issues such as effect on work and education, social life and relationships, consulting health professionals and treatment.
03 Sep - 28 Feb
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support
One in three of us will get cancer and it’s the toughest thing most of us will ever face. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or a loved one has, you’ll want a team of people in your corner supporting you every step of the way. Macmillan provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care.
Minor Illness Advice

Many mild illnesses and conditions are self-limiting; they will get better  teddy
with no treatment; most can be dealt with by yourself with a little help from your pharmacist if need be:-

Antibiotics
These are very useful drugs for treating bacterial infections but they are completely ineffective in treating conditions caused by viruses, for example colds and flu, most tummy upsets and sore throats. Excess use leads to bacterial resistance and they can have serious side effects. Your GP or our Nurse Practitioner will decide when their use is appropriate.

Allergies & Intolerances
The term allergy is used to describe when the immune system overreacts to a substance that is normally harmless. Symptoms of an allergy can include a runny nose, itchy eyes, rash and shortness of breath. The most common substances that can cause an allergic reaction are tree and grass pollen, peanuts and dust mites.

Food intolerance is the term used when the body is unable to fully breakdown or has an inability to digest certain foods. Symptoms of food intolerance include migraines, aches and pains and bloating.

Please contact your local pharmacist or NHS Direct Wales (08454647) for advice, unless your symptoms are severe or protracted, in which case you should either telephone 999 or make an appointment to see your GP or our Nurse Practitioner.

Athlete’s Foot
Athlete's foot is a very common condition. It is caused by a fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet. Athlete's foot is usually mild and often affects the skin in between the toes, causing it to be red, flaky and itchy. Most people can treat athlete's foot at home. Please ask your pharmacist for advice about the most appropriate antifungal creams. If these creams are ineffective or if your Athlete’s Foot is severe, please make an appointment with your GP or with our Nurse Practitioner.

Back pain
Back pain will affect nearly 80% of us during our lives, probably more than once. Back pain is rarely serious and there are lots of things you can do to manage your pain. Staying active means different things to different people, but the simple message is carry on as you normally would. Don't be afraid to walk the dog, walk to work, or go for a swim, even if it hurts. It's the best thing you can do to speed your recovery. Just because you're in pain, it doesn't mean you are doing permanent damage. It's okay to take over the counter pain killers to help you to carry on as normal and speed up your recovery. Please ask for advice from your pharmacist about suitable over the counter pain killers.

If the pain becomes worse, or if the pain persists beyond 4-6 weeks, or if symptoms change, please make an appointment to see your GP.

Burns
Cool the burn with cold water and then cover it with a sterile dressing of non-fluffy material, such as cling film, or a plastic bag. Do not put creams on the burn. Please seek a medical help unless the burn is very minor.

Chickenpox
This is usually easy to diagnose, with red spots forming small blisters, initially on the trunk, in various stages going on to form crusts. Complications are very rare. Calamine lotion can relieve the itch and baths are soothing. Your child should see a GP if not drinking, chesty, drowsy or vomiting.

Cold Sores
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which 80% of the UK population carry. Herpes simplex virus is highly contagious and is usually passed on early in childhood when someone is kissed by a person, usually a family member, with an active cold sore. Cold sores can occur when you are ‘under the weather’ and will usually respond to treatment with a cream called aciclovir that is available over the counter at your pharmacy. You can make an appointment to see your GP if your cold sores fail to respond as expected to aciclovir cream or return frequently.

Common Cold
Adults may experience 2-4, and young children about 3-8 colds a year. Symptoms usually peak after 2-3 days and then ease off over a few days. A cough sometimes lingers for up to three weeks. A common cold is caused by a virus, leading to a sore throat, a blocked or runny nose, coughing and sometimes headaches and aches and pains. Antibiotics are ineffective and will not “nip it in the bud”. Common colds can be managed without the need to visit the surgery in the majority of cases, by using paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin (in those over 16 years), decongestants and cough medicines that are available at your pharmacy. Please speak to your pharmacist to obtain advice. If you become increasingly unwell or your symptoms last longer than expected, please phone our surgery for advice from a GP.

Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is broadly due to either an infection or an allergy.

In infective conjunctivitis one or both of your eyes will become red or pink, may be sticky or watery or feel as if there is an irritation. It will usually clear within in a few days without any treatment. Your pharmacist may recommend antibiotic drops or ointments, or that you see your GP if the infection is severe or does not settle.

In allergic conjunctivitis your eyes will be red, watery, and itchy. The most common cause during the hay fever season is pollen allergy. Less commonly it may be due to allergies to house dust mite, cosmetics, and problems with contact lenses. Antihistamine eye drops or tablets, available from your local pharmacy usually help. Please see your GP if over the counter treatment is ineffective or if you experience eye pain, loss of vision or sensitivity to light.

Earache
The majority of earaches resolve without the need for an antibiotic. Paracetamol or ibuprofen at the appropriate dose should be used to relieve the pain. If your earache lasts more than a few days, or if severe and not relieved by pain killers, please make an appointment with our Nurse Practitioner or with your GP.

Earwax
Earwax provides a protective coating for the skin lining your ear canal and prevents it from drying and cracking. A build-up of earwax is not a serious problem but it can cause discomfort and slight hearing loss. You should never put any object into your ears to try to clean earwax, as this can increase the chances of a blockage occurring. Sometimes ear drops, for example olive oil or sodium bicarbonate ear drops, are required to soften and clear the earwax. Please ask your pharmacist for advice about this. If having used ear drops you still have discomfort or hearing loss, please make an appointment to see the Nurse Practitioner or your GP.

Flu
Flu outbreaks occur most Winters and can be caused by different viruses. Flu-like illnesses typically cause a high temperature, aches and pains in muscles and joints, a cough and various other symptoms. You should rest at home, drink plenty of water and take simple pain killers such as paracetamol. Most people recover fully, but complications such as pneumonia develop in some cases, therefore, it is important that you seek the advice of your pharmacist or GP if you have another chronic condition such as those affecting the chest, heart, kidney or liver; or if you are diabetic or taking drugs that suppress the immune system.

High Temperature
This is a common problem, particularly in young children, and is nearly always caused by infection, most commonly a viral one such as the common cold. Most of these infections will settle with home treatment within a few days. Keep a child cool, and avoid excess clothing/covers and room temperature and give cool drinks. A sponge down with warm water is acceptable. Under the age of 16 years both paracetamol and ibuprofen can be used. Aspirin can only be used over the age of 16 years. If there are any other worrying signs, consult the GP. It does no harm to bring a feverish child to surgery.

Mouth Ulcers
A mouth ulcer is a very common condition, and most people will have at least one in their lifetime. Studies have shown that mouth ulcers are more common in women and people who are under 40 years of age. Most mouth ulcers will often not require specific treatment. Mouth ulcers will normally heal naturally without the need for treatment, or medication. Many of the medicines used to treat mouth ulcers can be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy. Speak to your pharmacist about which medicine would be most suitable for you. If your ulcer is causing you significant pain, or you get mouth ulcers on a recurrent basis, then you should see your GP. You should also see your GP if your mouth ulcer has lasted for more than three weeks.

Nosebleeds
These are rarely due to anything serious. Sit in a chair, leaning forwards with your mouth open, and pinch the tip of your nose firmly. Ice packs can be applied to the nose. Keep the pressure on for 10-15 minutes by which time the bleeding should have stopped. If it does not, phone the surgery for advice from a GP.

Ringworm
Ringworm is a general term that is used to refer to a number of different contagious fungal infections of the skin, scalp, or nails. The condition is known as ringworm because it can leave a ring-like, red rash on the skin and not because it has anything to do with worms. Body ringworm and a groin infection can usually be successfully treated using over the counter antifungal medication. Your pharmacist will be able to advise you about this.You should only need to see your GP if, following treatment, the symptoms of ringworm do not improve within two weeks. You should also see your GP if you have a medical condition, or you are receiving medical treatment, that is known to weaken your immune system, such as chemotherapy, or long-term steroid use.
You should always see your GP if you, or your child, develops scalp ringworm. Anti-fungal creams are ineffective in treating the condition because they cannot penetrate into the entire scalp. Therefore, you will need to see your GP in order to obtain antifungal tablets.

Acute Sinusitis
Acute sinusitis (sinus infection) usually goes away on its own without treatment. Painkillers or decongestant drops, available from your pharmacy, for up to a week may be needed in some cases. The majority of cases are caused by viruses such the common cold or flu viruses, which is why an antibiotic is rarely indicated. Please see your GP or our Nurse Practitioner if your symptoms are severe, if you are very unwell, if you have another illness such as a heart or chest condition or a weakened immune system or if your symptoms have not settled within 7 days or are worsening.

Viral rashes
These are not usually a cause for concern unless the child is ill. Mild rashes occur often with viral infections. If you are concerned about your child being unwell, please make an appointment to see your GP or phone our surgery for some advice. The rash of Meningitis differs from other rashes in that it will not disappear when a glass is pressed on it. Your child should be seen immediately if you suspect meningitis.

Sore throats
Sore throats are normally caused by bacterial, or viral, infections. Sore throats are a common condition, with most people having at least two, or three, every year. They tend to be more common among children and teenagers. This is because young people have not built up immunity against many of the viruses and bacteria that can cause sore throats.
Most sore throats are not serious and pass within 3-7 days without the need for medical treatment. Over the counter painkillers, such as paracetamol, can usually be used to relieve the symptoms of a sore throat. Antibiotics are usually only prescribed for particularly severe cases of sore throat, or may be prescribed if you have a condition or take medicines that weaken your immune system, or if you have heart disease or a history of rheumatic fever or if you experience repeated infections caused by the streptococcus bacteria.
Please see your GP if your symptoms do not improve after two weeks, you have frequent sore throats that do not respond to painkillers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin, or you have lowered immunity due to an illness, such as HIV, or through treatments such as chemotherapy, or steroid medication. Please also see your GP if you are unable to control your fever (temperature higher than 38C (100.4F) despite paracetamol and/or ibuprofen.
You should phone 999 and ask for an ambulance if have difficulty breathing, have difficulty swallowing saliva and fluids, or opening your mouth, or you start drooling.

UTIs
An urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common type of infection that occurs in the urinary tract. The symptoms of an UTI include pain or a burning sensation during urination (dysuria), a frequent need to urinate, cloudy or unusually smelly urine and lower abdominal pain.
UTIs are a very common type of infection in women. UTIs are uncommon in men. The outlook for most cases of UTI is excellent. The infections are usually mild and will usually resolve within four to five days. Antibiotics can be used to help speed up the recovery time. You should see your GP if your symptoms do not improve after five days, or they suddenly get worse. You must also see your GP if you have a high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above, uncontrollable shivering, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.
You should also visit your GP if you have a risk factor that increases the chances of the infection causing more serious complications such as pregnancy, kidney disease, weakened immune system, diabetes or if you are elderly. Men who experience UTIs should see their GP.

Vomiting And Diarrhoea
In most cases this is caused by viral infections, and occasionally by food poisoning. The important part of treatment is to rest the stomach and intestine by witholding food in the initial phase of the illness and drinking plenty of fluid (not tea/coffee/alcohol/fizzy drinks) to prevent dehydration. If the symptoms are severe or prolonged, particularly in babies, the elderly or diabetic patients, phone the surgery for advice or make an appointment to see your GP

Warts
Although warts can be unsightly, in most cases they are harmless. Warts on the feet are called verrucae. Warts and verrucae usually clear in time without treatment, but can take up to two years or longer. Occasionally, they are treated, in an attempt to make them clear sooner. If treatment is required, in most cases it is appropriate to buy over-the-counter salicylic acid cream from your pharmacy. Please ask your pharmacist for advice.
 
For quick medical advice online or on the telephone contact NHS DirectNHS WalesDepartment of HealthMy Surgery Website