Ground pepper forms a crust over a cut to keep it clean

The classic breath freshener – and powerful antiseptic – can also do a number on blisters when kids are wearing in their new school shoes. Moisten a cotton ball with Listerine and dab it on the blister three times a day. On top of many other uses – including whitening teeth and easing the pain of haemorrhoids – the humble banana can also heal bruises in half the time.

Apply a ripe peel to the bruise, tie it on with a bandage or tape, and leave overnight. The manganese, magnesium and potassium helps blood flow through the vessels under the skin, flushing away the coloured toxins. Skin is translucent, so shining a torch lets you see the angle the splinter is at and how deep it is, says Simon James, first aid trainer with the St John Ambulance.

Do it in a dark room, place a torch directly against the skin about 1cm on the other side of the splinter, get your eyes down to skin level and pull it out with sterilised tweezers. Ear drops sold at pharmacies can soften wax, but many contain household staples such as olive oil or bicarbonate of soda, says GP Dr Fiona Sankey. “Olive oil can do the job just as well, though don’t do this if you have a perforated eardrum because it could cause infection.”

Again, consider using bicarbonate of soda – dissolve half a teaspoon in a beaker of water before inserting it into the ear with an eye dropper, which can be bought from a chemist. Stubborn build-up may need cleaning by your GP. If the pain is throbbing but the tooth isn’t tender, the nerve through the tooth could be infected. As heat can worsen inflammation, ice might help reduce that swelling and relieve pain. While minor infections may clear by themselves, you’ll need to see your dentist for treatment to prevent the pain becoming continuous.

Don’t put aspirin, clove oil or anything else against the gum – it will probably burn it. Many associate Sudocrem with treating or preventing nappy rash, says Dr Hady Bayoumi, a consultant dermatologist at the Spire Bushey Hospital.

“But it can be used for all types of skin issues,” he says.

The cream is an antiseptic, inhibiting infection and keeping bacteria out of the wound. “It’s also good for cuts, spots, minor burns, chilblains, minor bedsores and sunburn.”

A cheaper option for spots is to make a paste with bicarbonate of soda and apply to the affected area. It draws out moisture to speed healing. Studies show a component of black Motion sickness is more common in children aged three to 12. At least two of the active constituents of ginger reduce the amount of gastric juices produced and lower acidity of the stomach which will help fight nausea. Suck on a little slice of fresh ginger at the first signs of queasiness. Hiccups are caused by uncontrolled spasms in the diaphragm. It is thought sugar somehow stimulates the vagus nerve – which leads from the brain through to the diaphragm – to stop muscles contracting.

We still don’t know why hiccups occur or why they can be cured in odd ways, such as a fright or holding your breath. The theory about why sugar works is while you swallow, you hold your breath, which would stop the reflex spasm briefly.