Living Rural In Edens Garden

Winter can bring on colds, sinus pain, cold sores, and sore throats. Below are the do’s and don’t for these and other common ailments that can plague each of us during the long, cold winter. 

• FEVER:

DO… take acetaminophen (in Tylenol); drink plenty of fluids

DON’T… try to work through it; cool your skin with ice packs (use a cool wash cloth, instead)

CALL DOCTOR IF… fever over 101degrees; headache and neck pain; fever remains after 2 days

• SINUS PAIN:

DO… use a saline spray or rinse; take a decongestant with pseudo-ephedrine (found in Sudafed); take ibuprofen (found in Advil)

DON’T… rely on antibiotic or steroid sprays

CALL DOCTOR IF… symptoms for seven or more days; severe pain; fever above 100 degrees

• COLD SORES:

DO… apply petroleum jelly (Vaseline); use RX of Valtrex or Acyclovir; be patient

DON’T… use peroxide, alcohol, or witch hazel; pick at it; kiss anyone (VERY CONTAGIOUS); cover with concealer

CALL DOCTOR IF… sore remains week or more; severe pain

• SORE THROAT:

DO… gargle with warm salt water, repeat as needed; sip herbal tea; suck on cough drops, Popsicles; use antiseptic spray

DON’T… ask for antibiotics

CALL DOCTOR IF… you or family member feel worse after a day or two; have white spots on back of throat(sign of possible strep throat); recurs frequently

• STOMACH BUG:

DO… sip ginger tea; drink clear liquids; eat bland foods

DON’T… drink fruit juice or coffee; eat protein first, salads, or whole fruits

CALL DOCTOR IF… symptoms get worse or last longer than 24 hours; vomiting; stomach pain; diarrhea

• CUTS AND SCRAPES:

DO… clean with warm, soapy water; keep cut moist with THIN layer of antibiotic ointment

DON’T… use peroxide or alcohol; pick at it

CALL DOCTOR IF… cut is deep; wound is jagged; discharge or red streaks; skin feels hot

• MINOR BURN:

DO… apply a cold compress; apply an ointment with petroleum, cover; wash with cool water twice a day, pat dry, and reapply ointment

DON’T… put butter on any burn; use peroxide, alcohol, or witch hazel

CALL DOCTOR IF… pain worsens; swelling; bloody discharge or pus

• PULLED OR SORE MUSCLE:

DO… follow acronym… R.I.C.E. = Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation; gently stretch; take ibuprofen for pain for 2 to 5 days; try topical analgesic cream; soak in a hot tub for 3 to 4 days

DON’T… put heat on a muscle right away; get a vigorous massage

CALL DOCTOR IF… walking is painful; soreness remains for week or longer

TRY THESE:

Chicken soup for a cold

Cucumber compress for a headache

Green tea for bad breath

Let me know what works and what doesn’t work, OK?

Have a safe, happy, and healthy New Year!

These are common sense remedies, check with your doctor before trying anything involving over the counter drugs or prescription medicine.

Garden Angel 08

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