Self Help

This self care week we’re taking the self out of self-care. If you want to improve your health and wellbeing there is lots of help and support available to you. Social prescribing link workers are available through your GP practice.

Self-care includes your mental health and getting to the bottom of issues that might be holding you back or affecting your motivation. Some GP practices have access to psychological practitioners that can help you.

You’d be amazed at how much self-care advice you can get from your local pharmacist. They can offer all kinds of advice and support to you are not alone in looking after yourself.

The National Diabetes Prevention Programme #NDPP is a great way to prevent type 2 diabetes and helps with weight loss and lifestyle changes. It’s a way of guiding you through the self-care behaviours you need #selfcaretogether

Athlete’s foot is painful and can last several weeks but over the counter medicines will do the trick so you don’t always need to see a doctor. Making sure you wear fresh socks every day is a good way to help. Here’s what else you need to know #SelfCare
Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

Back pain is common and there are ways to treat the symptoms yourself at home. You only need to see a GP under certain circumstances or if it doesn’t ease off. Try a hot bath or speak to your pharmacist for some advice on rub on painkillers.
See your GP if the pain doesn’t ease after 3 days, if it moves to your chest or if you also have a fever.
Seek urgent advice through NHS 111 you feel numb or get pins and needles or if you lose control of your bowels or urination.

Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

Bites and stings are nothing to worry about usually. Soap and water will help. Just DON’T use vinegar or bicarbonate of soda like those old wives’ tales say.
Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

Chicken pox affects lots of children but the old at home remedies are often the best. Like wearing socks on hands at night to stop them scratching. Your pharmacist will have ointments to help with chicken pox.
Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

It’s the time of year where colds are likely . There’s no need go to the doctor with a cold as you can treat it at home. Make sure you have lots of fluids and take cheap painkillers like paracetamol. Save yourself a long wait for a GP by following this simple advice.

Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

Conjunctivitis affects the eyes and can last up to two weeks but can be treated with warm water. It’s rarely anything too serious
Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

Constipation can be painful but drinking plenty of water and eating more fruits and vegetables should help.
Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

It’s the time of year when coughs and colds are likely, but they will clear up after a few weeks. It’s only if a cough lasts longer that you need to seek medical help.
Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

Cradle cap is perfectly normal and very common. It will clear up on its own with regular washing with baby safe shampoo.
Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

Ear infections are very common and can be treated fairly easily at home.

• Use painkillers and drink plenty of fluids. Check with children for signs of other illnesses
• See the GP if you also have a temperature over 38C or if you have other symptoms
  such as sickness or dizziness
• Seek emergency care if it’s a child and they also have a rash that doesn’t fade with
  pressure.

Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

GPs don’t always see people to clear ear wax. Believe it or not a few drops of olive oil in your ear will help loosen ear wax. Just don’t stick cotton buds in there!

Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

When should you and when shouldn’t you see a doctor when your child has a fever?

Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

A headache is rarely an emergency. Different types of headaches mean different ways to treat them, but it usually boils down to rest, drinking plenty of fluids and cheap painkillers.

Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

It’s easy to mistake heartburn and indigestion with something more serious. Some people rush to emergency services when there’s no need.

Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

Did you know that colder weather can make long-term respiratory conditions worse. If you have asthma or COPD.

Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

Sore throats can be treated really easily at home or with help from a pharmacist.

Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

If you sprain or strain a limb it might hurt but it isn’t an emergency. They can often be treated
yourself without the need for medical help.

• Remember PRICE – Protect, Rest, Ice, Compression bandage, Elevate.
• Seek medical advice if you can’t move the limb at all, it’s deformed or if you notice
  serious bruising.

Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter

If you’re a little unsteady on your feet, falling can be common but it can lead to more serious health issues.

Find more at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter