- Allergies or itchy eyes
- Cold sores or fever blisters
- Colds
- Constipation
- Cuts and scrapes
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Headaches
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Sore throat
- Sprains or strains
- Sunburn
Allergies or itchy eyes
Call your provider or an ambulance immediately if:
- You experience throat or chest tightness, or swelling of lips or tongue
For minor symptoms:
- Avoid the problem agent if possible
- Take an antihistamine: Benadryl, chlorpheniramine, or Claritin
- Use eye drops such as Naphcon-A for allergic conjunctivitis
- Use a decongestant such as Sudafed for nasal congestion, but do not use if you have high blood pressure
- Apply hydrocortisone cream to bites or allergic skin rash
See your healthcare provider if:
- The problem recurs frequently or doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medications
Cold sores or fever blisters
For minor symptoms:
- Apply ice for 5–10 minutes to reduce pain
- Apply topical agents such as Herpecin-L or Campho-Phenique for comfort
- Use moisturizers such as Blistex to hasten healing
- Take pain relievers: ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen (do not use aspirin for children under 16)
- Be patient: cold sores usually go away in 7–10 days
- Be cautious: cold sores may be due to herpes simplex virus and may be contagious
See your healthcare provider if:
- Sores are excessive or do not heal
- Pain prevents you from eating or drinking
- You have severe or frequently recurring sores
Colds
For minor symptoms:
- Get rest and drink plenty of fluids
- Take pain relievers: ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen (do not use aspirin for children under 16)
- Take a decongestant such as Sudafed to relieve nasal congestion, but do not use if you have high blood pressure
- Take a cough suppressant such as Robitussin DM for hacking cough
See your healthcare provider if:
- Cold or cough lingers more than one week
- Fever persists for more than a few days
- You have painful breathing or shortness of breath
- You have discolored mucous
- You have a severe headache or sinus pain
Constipation
For minor symptoms:
- Increase dietary fiber and fluid intake
- Take a stool softener such as Colace or a fiber product such as Metamucil
- Do not use laxatives, such as Ex-Lax, regularly
- Increase activity and exercise
See your healthcare provider if:
- Condition persists for several days
- You have a fever
- You experience stomach cramping, bloating, rectal bleeding, or nausea
Cuts and scrapes
For minor symptoms:
- Wash thoroughly with soap and warm water
- Stop any bleeding by applying direct pressure
- Keep area clean and dry
See your healthcare provider if:
- Wound is deep
- You cut yourself on something rusty or dirty
- Bleeding won't stop
- Red streak appears around wound
- Wound doesn't heal
- You haven't had a tetanus booster in 10 years or more
Diarrhea or vomiting
For minor symptoms:
- Rest and sip clear fluids such as ginger ale, Gatorade, or broth
- Eat light foods such as crackers or toast
- If diarrhea persists, take Imodium A-D
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol
See your healthcare provider if:
- Symptoms last more than two days
- Fluids won't stay down
- You experience high fever or dizziness
- There is blood in your stool
- You have diarrhea during the night
Headaches
For minor symptoms:
- Take pain relievers: ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen (do not use aspirin for children under 16)
- Apply hot or cold packs
- Avoid bright lights
- Take sinus medication if head/nose is congested, but do not use Sudafed if you have high blood pressure
See your healthcare provider if:
- Headache persists or recurs
- Headache follows injury or trauma
- You experience fever, vomiting, drowsiness, or confusion
- Headache is severe or associated with neck stiffness
Heartburn or indigestion
For minor symptoms:
- Avoid spicy, acidic, or other aggravating foods, as well as alcohol
- Stop smoking
- Eat smaller amounts of food at one time, especially if near bedtime
- Take antacids, such as Maalox, or acid-suppressants such as Pepcid-AC
- Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen products
See your healthcare provider if:
- Problem recurs or pain is severe
- Pain occurs with shortness of breath or other symptoms that suggest heart problems
Sore throat
For minor symptoms:
- Gargle with warm salt water to soothe throat
- Take pain relievers: ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen (do not use aspirin for children under 16)
- Use throat lozenges
- Increase fluids
See your healthcare provider if:
- Sore throat lasts more than a week
- You also have a fever
- You have difficulty swallowing, breathing, or speaking
- There are white patches on the back of your throat or tonsils
- You have been exposed to someone diagnosed with strep throat
- You have tender neck lymph nodes
Sprains or strains
For minor symptoms:
- Apply ice
- Rest and elevate the injured area
- Take pain relievers: ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen (do not use aspirin for children under 16)
See your healthcare provider if:
- Problem lasts more than three days or pain is severe
- There is dislocation or misalignment
- You have difficulty moving the affected area
- There is black-and-blue discoloration
Sunburn
For minor symptoms:
- Avoid further exposure to the sun
- Apply cool compresses to the area or take a cool bath
- Take pain relievers: ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen (do not use aspirin for children under 16)
- Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids
- Apply aloe gel to soothe area
- To avoid sunburn, wear protective clothing and sunscreen
See your healthcare provider if:
- You also have fever, vomiting, drowsiness, or confusion
- Blisters form on large areas of the skin
- Blisters break and appear infected