Focus on Common Winter Health Problems

Sore throats are very common and caused by viruses. They normally get better by themselves within a week. But here are some tips on how to treat a sore throat:

• Self-manage as soon as you get a scratchy feeling in the throat, as it will worsen soon
• Gargle with warm, salty water (children should not try this), before bedtime and during the day
• Drink plenty of water
• Have paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation, use antihistamine to reduce postnasal drip and phlegm, analgesic sprays are available [Difflam] to help soreness
• Eat cool or soft foods
• Avoid smoking or smoky places
• Suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets – but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking
• Speak to your GP if not better after a week

Dry and Itchy Skin in Winter

Cold air, indoor central heating, low humidity levels and harsh winter wind can all reduce moisture in your skin. Mainly face, hands and legs are affected and cause flaking, scaling, cracking, increasing redness, stinging, itching and worsening of eczema. The cracked skin can cause bacterial infection and cellulitis in extreme cases.

How to Care for Dry Skin

• Moisturize right after washing, with any good moisturiser liberally over back, legs and arms
• Apply sunscreen daily to avoid skin damaging rays of the winter sun
• Use overnight treatments - thicker ointments like Vaseline or Hydromel, keep these in the fridge for cooling effect
• Use a humidifier - reduces dryness of air when central heating is high
• Try adding an occlusive to your routine – shea butter, jojoba oil, rosehip, coconut butter and Vaseline along with emollients help lock moisture in your skin at night
• Use comfortable fabrics – if your skin is dry, try wearing loose, comfortable, natural fabrics to reduce the risk of extra physical irritation
• Wear gloves – wear warm gloves to protect hands when stepping out into the cold and use silicone gloves when washing dishes

A Little Update on the Team at Castle Medical Centre

There have been a number of changes to staff at Castle Medical Centre that we would like to share with you.

Dr Arminder Atwal, our partner, is leaving us after 18 years at the practice and Dr Katie Benge, our salaried GP, is leaving us to work nearer to home. We wish Dr Atwal and Dr Benge all the best in their future endeavours.

We welcome Mrs Dodd, Dr O’Connor and Dr Wynn to Castle Medical Centre.

Mrs Kim Dodd has joined the partnership as a managerial partner. Kim has been our manager for more than 30 years.

Dr Tom O’Connor has joined us as a partner.

Dr Pam Wynn has joined us as our new salaried GP.

Mrs Mel Lawrence, our Practice Nurse, is taking retirement after many years of service. Mel will continue to have clinics at the practice on Mondays and Fridays while she transitions into full retirement.

Kate Freeman is joining us as our new Lead Practice Nurse and we welcome her to our team at the start of December.

Monday-Friday – 8.00am-6.30pm
Tel – 01926 857331
www.castlemedicalcentre.co.uk
Facebook – @CastleMedKenilworth
Twitter – @Castle_Med
22 Bertie Road, Kenilworth, CV8 1JP