Natural first-aid kit: get fast relief from 14 common ailments with these effective remedies - Consumer guide: how to be an educated consumer

Natural Health, April, 2003 by Rapaport Karlson

Athlete's Foot: If your athlete's foot is accompanied by a fever or doesn't respond to natural treatment within 10 days, see a doctor.

Bruises: Visit your doctor if you suffer unexplained bruising with no history of trauma, especially if the discoloration appears on your face, neck, back, or abdomen.

Burns: If a burn causes blistering, an open wound, or a fever, or if redness from a burn increases over time, consult your doctor.

Constipation: If your constipation is not associated with any change in diet, medication, or travel, or lasts longer than five days, consult your doctor. See her if you experience blood in your stool, pain, or weight loss with your constipation.

Diarrhea: If dizziness or heart palpitations accompany your diarrhea, see a doctor. Also seek help if your diarrhea lasts four days or more, if it develops after you take antibiotics, or if you see blood in your stool.

Fever: Visit the doctor if your fever rises above 102 degrees, lasts for more than three days, or is accompanied by back pain or colored mucus.

Indigestion: Seek medical attention if your discomfort persists for more than two weeks, or if it's accompanied by difficulty swallowing or weight loss.

Muscle Pain: Talk to a doctor if your pain interferes with your normal daily activity, lasts more than two weeks, or is accompanied by a fever.

Nausea: If your nausea doesn't respond to self-treatment after a week, if you could be pregnant, or if you experience weight loss along with nausea, see a doctor.

Pinkeye: If you experience pain in your eye, sensitivity to light, or a change in visual acuity, seek a doctor's help.

Poison Ivy: Consult a doctor if the rash is on or near your face, you have trouble breathing, you develop a fever, or the rash affects a large part of your body.

Sore Throat: See your doctor if your sore throat is accompanied by a high fever or white patches in your throat or lasts longer than three days, or you know you've been exposed to strep.

Splinters: Redness and swelling around the splinter, pus, a fever, or a red streak leading away from the splinter are signs that you should see your doctor.

Tension Headache: If a headache feels different than usual and doesn't respond to self-treatment, lasts longer than usual, or is accompanied by blurry vision, weakness in your limbs, or a stiff neck, see your doctor.

--Meghann Peterson

Consider This

Our Favorites for Fast Relief

Here are some of the products our staff keeps on hand for natural first aid.

Avalon Un-Petroleum SPF 18 Lip Balm

When her lips are chapped, associate editor Clare Horn prefers this lip balm because it contains a healing combination of vitamin E and jojoba, olive, and evening primrose oils, instead of the drying petroleum products used in conventional brands (0.15 ounce; $2.49; ww.avalonnaturalproducts.com).

Burt's Bees Poison Ivy Soap

Senior editor Daphna Caperonis Cox says this soap helped her husband heal his rash after a hunt through poison ivy to find their wayward cat. The soap contains itch-neutralizing ingredients like jewelweed, pine tar, and clay. If you're prone to poison ivy, try washing with this soap as soon as you come in from the great outdoors (2 ounces; $5; 800-849-7112; www.burtsbees.com).