Warts and Verruca’s
Warts can occur at any site but are common on the hands. Verruca is the name for a viral wart on the sole of the foot. They are a common childhood problem but also occur in adults.
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Wart and Verruca information (PDF)Burns
In the UK, around 175,000 people visit the accident and emergency department of a hospital each year for burn injuries, and 16,100 are admitted to hospital. Burns usually affect your skin, but other parts of your body can be injured, such as your airways and lungs, from inhaling hot fumes and gases.
Treatment for burns depends on their severity. You can treat superficial and minor partial-thickness burns that are caused by heat yourself at home. However, seek urgent medical help from your GP or an accident and emergency department in a hospital for:
– all deep partial-thickness and full-thickness burns
– all chemical and electrical burns
– superficial and partial-thickness burns that cover an area larger than the palm of your hand
– burns that cover a joint or are on your face, hands, feet or groin
– all burns that extend completely around a limb
– all burns where you may have inhaled smoke
You can treat superficial and minor partial-thickness burns yourself at home. Begin by cooling your burn with cool or tepid water for 10 to 30 minutes or until the pain is relieved. Don’t use iced water.
Only apply ointments or creams to very mild sunburn and if in doubt, don’t use creams and ointments. Don’t apply them to any deeper burns that have caused a change in your skin colour or blisters. Always read labels and if in doubt ask your pharmacist for advice.
If you need pain relief, you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always read the patient information that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask your pharmacist for advice. Superficial burns will usually heal within two weeks and you shouldn’t have much of a scar.
If you’re unsure how to treat a burn or have any questions, ask your doctor for advice.
For further information please visit www.nhs.ukChicken pox
What is it and how can I treat it?
Chicken pox is a relatively mild and common illness that most children catch at some point.
Chicken pox causes a red rash with itchy spots that eventually turn into fluid filled blisters. They then crust over to form scabs and drop off.
Some children will only have a few spots but others can have the spots all over their body. They are most likely to appear on the face, arms, scalp, under arms, chest, stomach and arms and legs. Chickenpox in children is considered a mild illness, but expect your child to feel unwell while they have it.
Chicken pox can be very infectious and to prevent the spread of the infection it’s advised to keep children off nursery or school until all the spots have crusted over. It is also best to avoid being in a public place or around people vulnerable to the infection such as pregnant women, newborn babies, and anyone with a weakened immune system (for example someone receiving treatment for cancer or taking steroid tablets.)
Your child is likely to have a fever at least for the first few days of the illness. The spots can be incredibly itchy. There is not a treatment for chicken pox but remedies such as paracetamol and cooling gels can help to relieve symptoms.
For most children, chickenpox is a mild illness that gets better on its own.
Contact your GP straight away if your child develops any abnormal symptoms, for example:
– if the blisters on their skin become infected
– if your child has a pain in their chest or has difficulty breathing
Did you know?
Chickenpox is most common in children under 10. In fact, chickenpox is so common in childhood that 90% of adults are immune to the condition because they’ve had it before.
For further information visit www.nhs.ukMinor cuts and grazes
What is it and how can I treat it?
Cuts and grazes are some of the most common injuries and most cuts and grazes can be easily treated at home.
Minor cuts and grazes (where only the surface layer of skin is cut or scraped off) may bleed and feel slightly painful, but the affected area will normally scab over and heal quickly.
However, if the cut is in an area that is constantly moving, such as your knee joint, it may take longer to heal.
Depending on how deep the cut is and where it is on your body, a scar may remain once the cut has healed.
Most cuts and grazes require cleaning and covering with a dressing or a plaster.
If your cuts or grazes are bleeding heavily or is on a delicate area of skin such as the palm of your hand it is best to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the wound. You can use a towel for this.
To dress the wound make sure it is cleaned with a sterile saline solution or by running under the tap. Make sure the area is dry and then apply a sterile dressing or plaster.
If you are unsure how serious your injury is, or if it has not healed after a few days, see your GP. Always seek medical advice if:
– your injury does not stop bleeding or is on a joint crease (go straight to an accident and emergency department if this is the case)
– your injury is very large or very deep
– your injury was caused by a bite
– there is something in your cut or graze, such as grit
For further information visit www.nhs.ukMoisturisers for dry skin conditions
What is it and how can I treat it?
Moisturisers (your doctor or pharmacist may refer to them as emollients) are lotions, creams, ointments and bath/shower additives which ‘oil’ the skin to keep it supple and moist. They can help prevent the skin from becoming dry and itchy, flaring up into patches of eczema. They are different to steroid creams and ointments which can reduce inflammation and clear flare ups of eczema.
Moisturisers can be purchased fairly cheaply from you pharmacy or supermarket. They are often cheaper to buy than to have on prescriptions so avoid asking your GP for them. There are several types and brands of moisturisers – creams, lotions and ointments. As a general rule the greasier and thicker the moisturiser is, the better and longer it works, but the messier it is to use!
The most effective moisturiser for you will depend on the dryness of your skin, the area of the skin involved, and your preference. Do try to buy in small quantities of different types to find one that suits you.
Some general advice on finding the right one for you is:
– Use a lotion or cream for mild skin dryness and occasional flare ups of eczema
– Use a thicker cream or an ointment for moderate-to-severe dryness
– A lotion is often best for areas of hairy skin
– Use a cream or lotion for areas of weeping eczema
Most people with eczema will be prescribed a steroid cream or ointment to use when eczema flares up. These are very different to moisturisers, and should be used and applied in a different way. If you use two treatments – apply the moisturiser, wait 10-15 minutes and then apply the steroid cream or ointment.
For more information on moisturisers for dry skin visit www.nhs.uk