Tips for common symptoms

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: 

  • Take an antihistamine such as Benadryl, chlorpheniramine, or Claritin 

  • For allergic conjunctivitis, use eye drops such as Naphcon-A  

  • Use a decongestant such as Sudafed for nasal congestion, but do not use if you have high blood pressure 

  •  For insect bites or allergic skin rash, apply hydrocortisone cream  

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 such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or 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 such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or 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 

  • For a hacking cough, take a cough suppressant such as Robitussin DM 

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: 

  • Your 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 such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or 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 such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or 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 such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen (do not use aspirin for children under 16) 

  • Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids 

  • Apply aloe gel to soothe area 

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