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Painkillers work in different are more effective for cert than others – yet we often available medicine to hand top-to-toe guide...

Headaches

Paracetamol is usually recommended for headaches because it’s safe for the majority of people to take and side effects are rare.

“Ibuprofen lasts longer (roughly six hours as opposed to four hours), but has to be avoided in those who suffer from dyspepsia, high blood pressure or kidney disease,” warns Dr Clare Morrison, GP at online doctor medexpress.co.uk.

“Paracetamol with added caffeine is particularly good for a headache because it has mild ‘vasoconstrictive’ properties, helping reduce inflammation and the caffeine makes you feel alert.”

Non-drug options include menthol sticks such as 4head.

Apply to the forehead which provides a numbing, tingling sensation to ease pain.

Migraines

“Try a combination painkiller containing both paracetamol and ibuprofen, such as Combogesic” suggests GP Dr Dawn Harper.

For regular migraines, ask about a ‘triptan’ such as sumatriptan, which works by narrowing the blood vessels in the head and blocking the transmission of pain to the sensory nerves in the face, says Dr Morrison.

“Triptans are available on prescription, or online if you’ve had them prescribed before. But they need to be taken as soon as the attack starts in order to be fully effective.”

You might also need to treat additional symptoms, such as nausea, adds Karen Shaw, who is a pharmacy officer at pushdoctor.co.uk.

And, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, a course of acupuncture can also help to reduce the frequency of migraines.

Mouth pain

“Soluble aspirin dissolved in water can be used as a rinse or gargle,” says Dr Morrison. And try protective numbing treatments such as Bonjela or Iglu for mouth ulcers, suggests Karen Shaw. “These will speed up healing and reduce soreness. If you’re in real discomfort, ask your pharmacist about hydrocortisone tablets.”

And Strefen Lemon & Honey Lozenges contain an ingredient called flurbiprofen to actively soothe the throat and swollen glands.

Toothache

“Anti-inflammatory analgesics such as ibuprofen and aspirin are best for toothache as the pain is usually caused by swelling,” advises Dr Uchenna Okoye, cosmetic dentist at London Smiling. “But don’t place an aspirin tablet directly on the sore tooth – it’s an acid so will ‘burn’ your gum.”

Or try oil of cloves: “The active ingredient in cloves is eugenol,” explains Dr Okoye, “which has a powerful antibacterial, anti-inflammatory power and can help alleviate toothache.

“Place a whole clove in your mouth near the tooth that hurts and bite down to release the oil in the clove. This produces a bitter taste and the urge is to spit it out but don’t – wait for four minutes then rinse.”

Or apply a few drops of clove oil to a cotton ball and dab it directly to where the tooth hurts.

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