Although it’s tempting, don’t insert cotton buds or other devices into your ears as this can compact the wax even more and could perforate the eardrum.
If you suffer regularly from wax blockage you may benefit form using a wax-softening preparation every few months to prevent wax building up.

Once the wax has been softened it can then be removed by your practice nurse using a syringe of warm water. Syringing too often can make the problem worse.

Throbbing in the inner ear; swollen glands.

- Ear drops Ear drops containing analgesics
For OTC products, read Ear Wax/Ear Infections

Severe throbbing in the middle ear; pain; a gradual loss of hearing and sometimes a raised temperature.
Babies may have diarrhoea and vomiting.

- Ear drops containing analgesics
For OTC products, read Ear Wax/Ear Infections

- Ear drops
- Ear drops containing analgesics

Redness; soreness and itching of the outer ear

- Hydrocortisone cream
- Emollient oils, coal tar preparations and steroids may be used according to the severity of the condition

NB: Infection may require antibiotics from the GP

red, sore, scaly patches on the outer ear

- Hydrocortisone cream
- Emollient oils, coal tar preparations and steroids may be used according to the severity of the condition

NB: Infection may require antibiotics from the GP

pain; redness and pus

- Antiseptic cream or ointment

Dryness and irritation

- Soothing eye-drops and lotions that contain astringents and vasoconstrictors.

Some eye drops should not be used if you wear contact lenses, or if you have: glaucoma; high blood pressure; heart disease; diabetes or hyperthyroidism. Ask your pharmacist for advice.

- Anti-allergy eye-drops that contain sodium cromoglycate, antihistamine and a vasoconstrictor.

If your conjunctivitis appears to be caused by an infection rather than an allergy you may need an antibacterial drops or cream from your GP.
Some more serious conditions can cause red eyes. If you have any of the following symptoms you need to see your GP:
- pain inside the eye
- increased sensitivity to light
- blurred vision
- redness only around the centre of the eye
- severe redness in one eye only
- ulceration of the conjunctiva or cornea (visible white spots)
- severe redness with discharge

- Antiseptic eye ointments.

If your symptoms do not clear in a few days, having tried the self-help tips, you may need to visit your GP to get antibiotic drops or ointment.

Styes

- Antiseptic eyewash and cream.

If after self-treatment the stye does not clear up within days, keeps re-appearing, or forms a hard lump (cyst) under the skin of the eyelid, you should see your GP.

- Artificial tears.
For OTC products, read Sore/Tired Eyes

If you wear contact lenses some types of artificial tears to treat dry eyes should be avoided, so check the instructions on the pack.

- Soothing treatments

Occasionally, watery eyes are caused by blockage of the tear ducts. It usually affects new-born babies and the elderly. In babies, the condition often corrects itself. Sometimes, the tear ducts need to be unblocked by simple surgery.

- Soothing eye-bath
- Eye lotion

Tears and the blink reflex of the eye usually remove any foreign bodies, such as dust or grit, from the eye. If this doesn’t work, you should bathe the eye with an eye-bath filled with either eye lotion or sterile saline. If this does not work, you should go to your GP or optometrist.

Sore, red mouth or tongue; white spots on mouth or tongue

- Topical or systemic anti-fungal drugs
- Chlorhexidine gels and mouthwashes
- Miconazole gel.
For OTC products, read Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is most common in: babies; the elderly, especially denture wearers; smokers; people taking antibiotics and those with poor immune defences. People who use steroid inhalers for asthma are also at risk.

Pain, inflammation or swelling in the mouth that do not respond to OTC medications may indicate more serious problems such as oral cancer. Medical advice from a doctor or dentist should be sought. Oral thrush in an adult should be reported to your GP.

- Mouthwashes
- Floss
For OTC products, read Bad Breath and Dental Hygiene

- Antiviral treatments
For OTC products, read Cold Sores

Mouth pain/ulcers

- Gels
- Mouthwashes
- Pastilles
- Sprays
For OTC products, read Mouth Pain/Ulcers

Ulcers can be caused by lots of things, from brushing teeth too hard, to biting the inside of the cheeks or badly fitting dentures. More usually the cause is unknown, although hormonal changes, stress, lack of iron and B vitamins in the diet or gluten sensitivity have all been blamed. Any ulcer lasting for more than two weeks should be reported to your GP or dentist.

- Analgesics and analgesics formulated for young children.
For OTC products, read Teething