- 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:
- 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