These self care guides are intended to provide you with advice and information about how you may treat yourself for common illnesses. They are not intended to be a substitution for expert medical advice or treatment. If you are not sure if you need to see a medical provider, or if your symptoms persist, please contact us.
Most insect bites or stings are mild and have small localized reactions of redness, itching and/or minor swelling and can be managed with self-care. However, there are times when some bites or stings cases serious reactions or transmit disease causing other medical problems.
Ticks should be removed with tweezers by grasping as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight up in a slow and steady motion. Do not be alarmed if a piece of the head breaks off and stayed in the skin as disease cannot be transmitted without the body.
While grasping the stinger with your fingertips or tweezers might be the first instinct, this method could squeeze out additional venom and therefore is not recommended. Alternatively, scraping the skin in the opposite direction of the stinger entry point is the best removal technique.
First degree burn—This minor burn affects only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). It may cause redness, swelling and pain. It usually heals with first-aid measures within several days to a week. Sunburn is a classic example.
Second degree burn—This type of burn affects both the epidermis and the second layer of skin (dermis). It may cause red, white or splotchy skin, pain, and swelling. And the wound often looks wet or moist. Blisters may develop, and pain can be severe. Deep second-degree burns can cause scarring.
Third degree burn—This burn reaches into the fat layer beneath the skin. Burned areas may be charred black or white. The skin may look waxy or leathery. Third-degree burns can destroy nerves, causing numbness.
To treat minor burns, follow these steps:
Whether your burn was minor or serious, use sunscreen and moisturizer regularly once the wound is healed.
Minor burns can be cared for at home, but make an appointment if you experience:
A concussion occurs when there is trauma to the brain that alters brain function. It can happen from directly hitting your head, or indirectly if the head and upper body are abruptly shaken. In most cases the effects are temporary.
Due to an external force, the brain, which is usually padded by cerebral spinal fluid, slides back and forth, hitting the inside of the skull. This injury can cause bruising or swelling around the brain.
Follow the treatment plan as advised by your provider. Often rest and avoidance of screen time is the most important way to allow for recovery. Make sure you are cleared by a provider before resuming physical activities and mental stimulation.
Your symptoms will probably start to go away after about a week. Most people start to better in a week or 2, and are back to normal in 3 months. A few people have symptoms that last longer that a provider may suggest medicines or treatments for.
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. Inflammation makes blood vessels more visible and gives the eye a pink or reddish color. Most cases of conjunctivitis are mild and get better on their own, even without treatment.
The four main causes of conjunctivitis include viruses, bacteria, allergens and irritants. Most cases in adults are viral.
Symptoms may include:
Having fewer than three bowel movements a week is, technically, the definition of constipation. However, how often you “go” varies widely from person to person. Some people have bowel movements several times a day while others have them only one to two times a week.
Common lifestyle causes of constipation include:
Symptoms of constipation include:
Symptoms are present for more than 3 weeks or do not improve after 1 – 2 weeks with self care.
The common cold is a viral infection of your upper respiratory tract — your nose and throat. A common cold is usually harmless, although it may not feel that way at the time.
Most sore throats and cold symptoms are caused by a virus and typically resolve in 1-2 weeks. They are spread by tiny air droplets that are released when sick person sneezes, coughs or blows their nose. Symptoms will vary because there are over 100 viruses that can cause a “cold.” Medications can be used to improve symptoms but time is the only intervention that will resolve symptoms. ANTIBIOTICS WILL NOT HELP!
A cut or scrape is a break or opening in the skin. It can also be called a laceration, abrasion, road rash, etc. It may be deep, smooth, or jagged. It may be near the surface of the skin, or deeper. A deep cut can affect tendons, muscles, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels, or bone.
Wounds heal in stages. The smaller the wound, the quicker it will heal. Blood will start to clot within a few minutes and will stop the bleeding. This will form a scab. The scab helps protect the wound from infection while new skin grows underneath. The scab will fall off on its own. Scars form because the new skin grows back differently than the original skin. Scars are more likely with deeper wounds.
An ache or pain in any area of the head. A headache can present by itself or with other symptoms. Pain can be sharp, throbbing, pressure-like on one or both sides of the head. It may be accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting, light or noise sensitivity. It can develop suddenly or gradually and last from hours to days. Headaches rarely halt daily activities.
There are several types of headaches, including tension-like, migraine, cluster, sinus, and muscle contraction. Headaches can also be a symptom of other conditions, including but not limited to an upper respiratory infection, stress, dehydration or lack of sleep. Many headaches will improve with self-care. Not all headaches require medical evaluation.
Treatments for headaches may vary depending of the cause. Recommendations for self-care include:
Headaches can be cared for at home, but make an appointment if you experience:
Influenza, or the flu, is a virus that infects the respiratory system, including your nose, throat and lungs. This is different from “the stomach flu” that causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The influenza virus spreads in the form of droplets in the air when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes. You can inhale the virus directly or touch a surface that is infected and transfer it to your face or mouth. People are contagious one day before symptoms develop and for 5-7 days after.
The symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which is often called “the stomach flu” or gastroenteritis, are often caused by a virus in the intestines. This is different from influenza (the flu), which is a respiratory infection.
It is usually caused by a coming in contact with a sick person or ingesting contaminated food or water. Symptoms can vary and tend to appear 1-3 days after you are infected. Most symptoms resolve within 48-72 hours, however, some symptoms can linger for up to 10 days. There is no “cure”, so managing symptoms while your body heals is best.
A nosebleed (epistaxis) is the loss of blood from the tissue that lines the inside of your nose.
The location of the nose in the middle of the face and the large number of blood vessels close to the surface in the lining of your nose make it an easy target for injury and nosebleeds.
The most common cause of nosebleeds is dry air. Dry air can be caused by hot, low-humidity climates or heated indoor air. which cause the nasal membranes to dry out. Other common causes of nosebleeds include:
Call your medical provider immediately or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if:
Poison Ivy causes contact dermatitis or an itchy skin rash to those who are sensitive to the oleoresin in the plant. The peak season is in spring when the plants are tender. Poison Ivy can be recognized by the glossy green leaves, which grow in groups of three. It generally grows as a low shrub, but can be a trailing vine. In the Fall the leaves turn orange/red.
The oleoresin is sticky and easily attaches to the skin, clothing and pets. You can experience poison ivy directly by touching the plant or indirectly by coming in contact with an object that has the oil from the plant on it.
Rash might include:
Allergies occur when your body reacts to a foreign substance. As a part of your immune system response, antibodies are made, which normally helps protect you from illness or infection. However with allergies, your immune system mistakes a substance as harmful, even though it is not. This reaction triggers an inflammatory response on the skin, sinuses or airway.
A sprain is an injury that causes a stretch or tear in a ligament. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones to a joint.
A strain is a stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon. Tendons are bands of tissue that attach muscles to bones. People often call a strain a “pulled muscle”.
A twisting or severe stretching of a joint is the usual cause of a sprain. Sprains commonly occur in knee, ankle, and finger joints.
The usual cause of a muscle strain is the forceful stretching of a muscle during physical activity. This might occur when you run, jump, throw or lift a heavy object.
Sprain
Strain
Rest – avoid activities that cause pain
Ice – apply ice packs on the area for 20 to 30 minutes, every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days until pain and swelling go away.
Compression – wrap an elastic bandage (ACE® wrap) around the injured joint or muscle
Elevation – keep the injured joint or muscle elevated at or above the level of your heart as much as possible. If possible, elevate onto the chair in front of you when seated in class.
An inti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen) or other pain reliever (acetaminophen) may help reduce pain and swelling after the injury. Always follow package instructions.
Depending on the extent of the injury, you may need to see a healthcare provider to assess the need for a brace, sling, splint, or crutches as well as the need for an X-ray to rule out a fracture or other injury.
Ticks are tiny bugs most likely found in shady, damp, brushy, wooded or grassy areas, including your own back yard.
There are a variety of ticks and not all carry disease or the same diseases.
The information presented here is not intended to be used for the diagnosis of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional. When using an Over-the-Counter medication please be sure to follow the package instructions. Contact Health Services if you have any additional questions, concerns or to make an appointment.
