Groin Strain
A groin strain is a pain in the groin/inner thigh area which occurs as a result of overstretching one of the muscles/tendons on the inside of your thigh.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects your joints and is common in the knee. When a knee joint develops OA, some of the cartilage covering the ends of the bones gradually roughens and becomes thin. Associated features include stiffening and weakening of the surrounding muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Knee Sprains
A knee sprain can occur when you injure or twist your knee awkwardly. This may cause damage to the tissues in and around the knee such as the muscles, ligaments and/or cartilage.
Sexual Health
Many people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) do not get symptoms, so its worth getting tested even if you feel fine. If you think you have an STI, the earlier you’re tested, the sooner treatment can be given if its needed.
An STI can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. You can get or pass on an STI whoever you’re having sex with.
STIs can pass between men and women, and from women to women and men to men.
Left untreated, STIs can affect your health. If you have an of the symptoms listed below, get tested.
In women and men:
– Pain when you pass urine
– Itching, burning or tingling around the genitals
– Blisters, sores, spots or lumps around the genitals or anus
– Black powder or tiny white dots in your underwear – this could be droppings or eggs from pubic lice
In women:
– Yellow or green vaginal discharge
– Discharge that smells
– Bleeding between periods or after sex
– Pain during sex
– Lower abdominal pain
In men:
– Discharge from the penis
– Irritation of the urethra (the tube urine comes out of)
You can get tested at:
A sexual health clinic or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic – find STI services near you
Some community contraceptive clinics – find contraceptive services near you
Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is the greasy, yellow scaly patches that sometimes appear on the scalps of young babies.
It is common, harmless and doesn’t usually itch or cause discomfort. Do not pick at the scales as this can cause an infection. Cradle cap is not contagious and is not caused by poor hygiene or an allergy.
It usually appears in babies in the first two months and clears up without treatment within weeks to a few months.
Most cases of cradle cap clear up on their own without the need for treatment within weeks to a few months.
Tips to help reduce the build-up of scales on the scalp:
- regular washing of the scalp with a baby shampoo, followed by gentle brushing with a soft brush to loosen scales.
- soften the scales with baby oil first, followed by gentle brushing, and then wash off with baby shampoo.
- soak the crusts overnight with white petroleum jelly, or vegetable or olive oil, and shampoo in the morning.
If these methods don’t work, speak to your pharmacist about using a greasy emollient or soap substitute, such as emulsifying ointment.
There is usually no need to see your GP if your baby has cradle cap. However, you may want to ask them for advice if there is swelling to the scalp or if the cradle cap spreads to other parts of the body.
Speak to your GP if your baby’s cradle cap:
- itches
- swells
- bleeds
- spreads to the face or body
Children & Young Peoples Advice Line
If you are worried or concerned about a young persons mental health, you can now access mental health advice and support outside if usual working hours by calling the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trusts advice line.
Children and Young Persons Mental Health Advice Line Information Poster
Children and Young Persons Mental Health Advice Line Information Leaflet
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is common and mostly affects children, although you can get it at any age. It usually gets better by itself within a week without needing to see a GP.
Chickenpox starts with red spots, they can appear anywhere on the body. The spots fill with fluid and the blisters may burst. They might spread or stay in a small area.The spots scab over. More blisters might appear while others scab over.
Other Symptoms
You might get symptoms before or after the spots, including:
- a high temperature above 38C
- aches and pains, and generally feeling unwell
- loss of appetite
Chickenpox is very itchy and can make children feel miserable, even if they don’t have many spots. Chickenpox is usually much worse in adults.
It’s possible to get chickenpox more than once, although it’s unusual.
If you or your child has Chickenpox, you’ll need to stay away from school, nursery or work until all the spots have crusted over. This is usually 5 days after the spots first appeared.
You can help relieve symptoms by:
- drinking plenty of fluid (try ice lollies if your child isn’t drinking) to avoid dehydration
- taking paracetamol to help with pain and discomfort
- putting socks on your child’s hands at night to stop scratching
- cutting your child’s nails
- using cooling creams or gels from your pharmacy
- bathing in cool water and pat the skin dry (don’t rub)
- dressing in loose clothes
Make sure you don’t:
- use ibuprofen unless advised to do so by your doctor, as it may cause serious skin infections
- give aspirin to children under 16
- be around pregnant women, newborn babies and people with a weakened immune system, as it can be dangerous for them
Speak to a GP if:
- you’re not sure it’s chickenpox
- the skin around the blisters is red, hot or painful (signs of infection)
- your child is dehydrated
- you’re concerned about your child or they get worse
Tell the receptionist you think it’s chickenpox before going in. They may recommend a special appointment time if other patients are at risk.
Ask for an urgent GP Appointment if:
- you’re an adult and have chickenpox
- you’re pregnant and haven’t had chickenpox before and have been near someone with it
- you have a weakened immune system and have been near someone with chickenpox
- you think your newborn baby has chickenpox
In these situations, your GP can prescribe medicine to prevent complications. You need to take it within 24 hours of the spots coming out.
Tiredness and Fatigue
Tiredness and Fatigue
Feeling exhausted is so common that it has its own acronym, TATT, which stands for “tired all the time”.
We all feel tired from time to time. The reasons are usually obvious and include:
- too many late nights
- long hours spent at work
- a baby keeping you up at night
But tiredness or exhaustion that goes on for a long time is not normal and can affect your ability to get on and enjoy your life.
Unexplained tiredness is one of the most common reasons for people to see their GP.
Some reasons you could be feeling tired might be:
- Not getting enough exercise.
Sitting in one position for long periods of time can sap your energy, even if you’re watching the TV or using the computer. Your body equates the stillness with going to sleep. - Poor posture
A lot of your energy goes on keeping you upright. Your spine can be put out of alignment by bad posture, such as:
-hunching forwards
-lumping in your seat
-cradling your phone
The more out of balance your spine is, the more your muscles have to work to compensate.
- Constant Worrying
If you’re fretting about something all day long, your heart rate and blood pressure rise, and your muscles tighten, leading to fatigue and aches.
Try: setting aside some time to concentrate on your worries. Try to think of positive solutions, then put the worries out of your mind.
- Exercising too much
Regular exercise is good for you, but working out intensively every day may not be good for your energy levels, especially if you’re a beginner or trying to get back in shape.
Try: taking a day off between strenuous bouts of exercise. However, don’t leave more than 2 or 3 days between sessions, or you might fall out of the regular exercise habit.
If you have difficulty falling asleep, a regular bedtime routine will help you wind down and prepare for bed.
Few people manage to stick to strict bedtime routines. This isn’t much of a problem for most people, but for insomniacs, irregular sleeping hours are unhelpful.
Your routine depends on what works for you, but the most important thing is working out a routine and sticking to it.
- Sleep at regular times
- Make sure you wind down before bed
- Try a warm bath before bed
- Write a ‘to do’ list for the next day to clear your mind of any distractions
- Read a book or listen to music
- Make sure your bedroom is dark and between 18°c and 24°c
- Relaxation exercises such as yoga or light stretches
If you have tried some of the techniques and you still feeling tired or fatigued and are concerned, visit your GP who will ask you questions about your lifestyle and may even decide carry out some simple tests for common issues such as anaemia.
Sunburn
Sunburn
Sunburn is damage caused to the skin by UV rays (sunshine).
The skin becomes red, warm, sore and tender. It may start to flake and peel after a few days, and will usually fully heal within 7 days.
Sunburn is usually mild and short-lived, but it’s important to try to avoid it because it can increase your risk of developing skin problems in later life, such as ageing (wrinkling) and skin cancer.
It can be easy to underestimate the strength of the sun when you’re outside. The wind and getting wet, such as going in and out of the sea, may cool your skin, so you don’t realise you’re getting burnt.
You should always be aware of the risk of sunburn if you’re outside in strong sunshine, and look out for your skin getting hot.
- Apply sunscreen
Apply a good amount of sunscreen of at least factor 15 and four-star UVA rating. You should follow the guidance on the bottle of how often you should reapply.
After swimming or being in water, you should always reapply sunscreen after you’ve got out and dried off, even if you use water-resistant sunscreen. - Spend time in the shade
Stay in the shade between the hottest hours of the day 11am & 3pm. - Cover up
Wear suitable clothing and sunglasses - Drink plenty
Drink plenty of water or juice throughout the day to keep hydrated. - Take extra care
You should take extra care in the sun if you:
– have pale, white or light brown skin
– have freckles or red/fair har
– tend to burn rather than tan
– have many moles
– have a family history of skin cancer
If you do get sunburnt follow these steps to try and ease your discomfort.
- Cool your skin by having a cold bath or shower or by holding a cool flannel or sponge to it
- Use lotions containing Aloe Vera to soothe and moisturise your skin
- Drink plenty of water to cool you down and prevent dehydration
- Take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve pain
Contact your GP or call NHS 111 if you feel unwell or you’re concerned about your sunburn, particularly if you’re burnt over a large area or have any of the more severe symptoms listed below.
You should also see your GP if a young child or baby has sunburn as their skin is particularly sensitive.
Signs of severe sunburn can include:
- blistering or swelling of the skin
- chills
- a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
- dizziness, headaches and feeling sick – symptoms of heat exhaustion
Special burn cream and burn dressings may be needed for severe sunburn. These are available from your GP or nurse at your GP surgery.
Optician Services
Optician Services
If you are having problems with your eyes, visiting an optician is the best place to start.
Optometrists are highly trained to recognise abnormalities and conditions that could be causing your eye problems. They will prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses, and, if necessary, they will refer you to a GP or a hospital eye clinic for further investigations.
If you are having problems with your eyes, visiting you optician is the best place to start.
Optometrists are highly trained to recognise abnormalities and conditions that could be causing your eye problems. They will prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses, and, if necessary, they will refer you to a GP or a hospital eye clinic for further investigations.
You can find your local opticians by visiting NHS Choices.
You’re entitled to a free NHS sight test if you:
- are under 16
- are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education
- are 60 or over
- are registered as partially sighted or blind
- have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
- are 40 or over and your mother, father, sibling or child has been diagnosed with glaucoma
- have been advised by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) that you’re at risk of glaucoma
- are a prisoner on leave from prison
- are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher – your optician can advise you about your entitlement
You also qualify for a free NHS sight test if you:
- get Income Support
- get Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- get Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- get tax credits and meet the criteria
- get Universal Credit and meet the criteria
- have a low income and are named on a valid NHS HC2 certificate for full help with health costs
