MedExpress

Allergies

Allergies are caused by the body's immune system producing antibodies to protect against foreign substances that may cause sickness or infection.

The severity of allergies ranges greatly, and varies from person to person. Most of the time, allergic reactions have minor symptoms. However, when a reaction is severe, it involves several of the body's organ systems, and may cause life-threatening reactions in the body. If this occurs, contact 911 immediately.

Symptoms:

Common triggers of allergies are: certain types of foods, insect stings, medications, and airborne substances like pollen, dander, and dust mites. The symptoms of allergies differ, based upon the trigger.

• Airborne Substances: Congestion, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes.
• Certain Foods: Tingling mouth, swelling of lips, tongue, face or throat, and hives.
• Insect Stings: Swelling around the sting site, itching or hives, cough, tightness in the chest, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
• Medication: Hives, itchy skin, rash, facial swelling, and wheezing.

Treatment:

Allergy medications, allergy shots, and epinephrine shots all help to reduce the reaction of your immune system and ease allergy symptoms. Visit the nearest MedExpress location to discuss these options with a medical provider.

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Antibiotics: Use Them or Not?

If you're sick enough to go to the doctor, you should at least get an antibiotic, right? Not always. There are different types of illnesses, and only a few that antibiotics will effectively treat. Your MedExpress provider may not advise a prescription because of your particular situation.

What are Antibiotics?

Antibiotics treat infections and illnesses that are caused by bacteria. Antibiotics are not effective at treating illnesses caused by a virus.

Bacterial vs. Viral

Common types of bacterial illness include: bacterial bronchitis, pneumonia, strep throat, and bacterial ear infections. Common types of viral illness include the flu or the common cold. Some illnesses, such as pink eye, can be either bacterial or viral.

A bacterial infection sometimes follows the common cold. If you are coughing up thick yellow or green mucus for more than a week, you may have a bacterial infection.

Antibiotic Resistance

If antibiotics are taken too frequently, the body may build up a resistance to them. As a result, the germs grow stronger and become able to repel the antibiotic completely. When this occurs, the antibiotic can no longer treat the bacteria, and more serious treatment may be needed to prevent the illness from getting worse. MedExpress treats viral and bacterial infections 7 Days a Week.

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Bites & Stings

The symptoms of insect bites and stings vary depending on the severity of the body's reaction to the insect's venom. Most reactions are mild, with a slightly annoying itching or stinging sensation and slight swelling. Those that are severe should be treated immediately.

Treatment (if mild):

• Move away from any dangerous area to avoid additional bites or stings.
• To reduce pain and swelling, apply a cold pack or cloth filled with ice.
• Apply a 1% or 0.5% hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, or a baking soda paste to the bite or sting several times a day.
• Refrain from scratching, which can lead to infection.

Treatment (if severe):

• Check for special medications that the affected person might be carrying to treat an allergic attack, such as an EpiPen, and administer as directed.
• If possible, have the person take an over-the-counter antihistamine pill, as directed on the bottle.
• Have the person lie still on their back, with feet held above heart level.
• Do not offer anything to drink.
• Loosen tight clothing. Cover the person with a blanket.
• If there is vomiting, turn the person to the side to prevent choking.
• If there are no signs of breathing, or if there is evidence of significant difficulty breathing, such as wheezing or swelling of lips, or tongue, call 911 or get immediate medical help.

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High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is measured as two values:

• Systolic: The pressure of blood in your blood vessels with each beat of your heart
• Diastolic: The pressure when the heart relaxes between beats. A normal blood pressure is roughly 120/80 (systolic/diastolic).

Symptoms:

High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Regular check-ups are important because you may feel fine while you are at risk of a stroke or heart attack. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

• Throbbing headaches
• Blurred vision
• Vomiting and/or nausea
• Ringing in the ears
• Swollen feet

Treatment:

For mild-high blood pressure, significant lowering can be achieved through regular exercise, healthy eating, and smoking cessation. Moderate to extreme high blood pressure requires chemical intervention through medications.

These medicines do not cure high blood pressure; they control it. Do not stop your medications without consulting your physician.

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Cold vs. Flu

Prevention:

• Wash your hands
• Use a tissue
• Sneeze and cough into your elbow
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Exercise regularly
• Eat healthy
• Get fresh air
• Get appropriate amounts of sleep
• Cut alcohol consumption
• Don't smoke

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Cuts & Scrapes

While minor cuts and scrapes don't always require professional medical treatment, it is important to use proper care to avoid infections or other complications.

Treatment:

• Stop the Bleeding. If the wound doesn't stop bleeding on its own, apply continuous, gentle pressure with a clean bandage for 20 to 30 minutes. If the bleeding continues, seek immediate medical treatment.
• Clean the wound. Rinse the wound with clean water. Avoid using soap, as it may irritate the wound. If there is dirt or debris embedded in the wound after washing, visit a provider at MedExpress, who can properly attend to the cleaning. Thorough wound cleaning reduces risk of infection and tetanus.
• Apply an antibiotic. Once the wound is clean, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment or cream. This keeps the surface moist, reduces risk of infection, and aids your body in healing more efficiently.
• Cover the wound. A bandage helps keep fresh wounds clean and bacteria-free. Once it begins to heal, exposing the wound to air speeds up the healing process.
• Check dressing and watch for infection. Change the bandage daily, or if it gets dirty or wet. If you notice the wound isn't healing, or if there is increased pain, drainage, warmth, or swelling, visit MedExpress to have a medical provider treat the wound.

If it has been more than five years since you received a tetanus shot and the wound is dirty, seek treatment to have your vaccination updated. Remember that your tetanus immunization should be updated every ten years.

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Ear infections

Ear infections are common in children, and occur when the middle ear becomes inflamed from a viral infection and causes fluid to build up behind the eardrum. They are also caused from swelling in the Eustachian tubes, or surrounding tissues. Over time, this fluid can become infected by one of several species of bacteria. Ear infections are more common in children because their Eustachian tubes are narrower and more horizontally oriented. In addition, their immune systems are not yet fully developed.

Children with ear infections may:

• Tug or pull at their ears
• Cry more than usual
• Have trouble sleeping
• Fail to respond to sound
• Be unusually irritable
• Develop a fever
• Develop fluid that drains from the ears
• Have headaches

Treatment:

If you feel you or your child may have an ear infection, visit a MedExpress location near you for an evaluation and treatment.

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Fire Ants

Fire Ants earn their name from the burn resulting from their stingers' venom, which produces immediate itching and redness. If a Fire Ant is not quickly removed from the skin, it pivots and inflicts additional stings in a circular pattern. The severity of the body's reaction varies by the size of the ant and the allergic response of the patient.

Treatment:

• Immediately move away from the nest.
• Quickly remove all ants on skin and clothing to prevent additional stings.
• Gently wash any venom away with soap and water.
• Disinfect the bite with alcohol.
• Place an icy cool cloth on sting site for 15 minutes.
• A pustule will typically appear for several days, then rupture, form a crust and heal several days later. Do not scratch the pustule, as it can lead to infection.
• Visit the nearest MedExpress location, and have the Fire Ants reaction checked out by a medical provider. Hydrocortisone cream and oral antihistamines may help to relieve the itching.

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Frostbite

While often fun and enjoyable, winter weather can present health risks if you are overexposed to the cold temperatures. If you notice any of the symptoms below, seek immediate medical treatment.

Frostbite occurs when soft tissue, usually in the fingers or toes, freezes. While severe cases can result in amputation, most cause no permanent damage if the skin is warmed up carefully.

Symptoms:

• Blisters
• Numbness
• Blackness
• Tingling, throbbing, redness and/or swelling of affected area upon re-warming

Treatment:

• Move the numb part of the body to increase blood supply
• Go indoors immediately
• Do not rub the affected area in effort to warm it up, as it may cause tissue damage
• Place the affected area in warm (not hot) water.

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Hypothermia

While often fun and enjoyable, winter weather can present health risks if you are overexposed to the cold temperatures. If you notice any of the symptoms below, seek immediate medical treatment.

Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops from 98.6°F to 95°F or lower. Typically, it is only a concern if you have been in cold water or outdoors without proper protection for an extended period of time.

Symptoms:

• Shaking or shivering
• Weakness or lethargy
• Numbness or incoherence
• Low pulse rate

Treatment:

If you suspect someone is suffering from hypothermia, call 911 immediately. Bring them inside and wrap them in blankets to retain body heat. Do not expose them to any direct heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, or heating pads.

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Heat Exhaustion

The average body temperature is approximately 98.6°F. When the body undergoes strenuous exercise, or overexertion in hot, humid weather, it isn't able to efficiently cool itself to retain a normal temperature. Dehydration, alcohol use, and overdressing also prevent the body from cooling itself correctly.

Symptoms:

Stage 1: Heat Cramps

• Heavy Sweating
• Fatigue
• Thirst
• Muscle Cramps

Stage 2: Heavy Exhaustion

• Heavy Sweating
• Faintness
• Low Blood Pressure
• Nausea
• Low Fever
• Headache
• Dark Urine

Treatment:

If Heat Cramps leads to Heat Exhaustion:

• Rest in a cooler location
• Drink cool fluids
• Apply cool water to the skin
• Rest with legs elevated above heart level

Visit MedExpress if signs or symptoms do not improve within 30 minutes, or if the body temperature reaches 104°F or higher. Untreated Heat Exhaustion can progress to Heatstroke, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage to the brain and other organs. If Heatstroke is suspected, call 911 immediately.

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MRSA Infection

Staph, or MRSA, are bacterial infections that can look like a variety of skin infections. It may appear to be a blister, a spider bite, or red skin with a honey-colored crust. Be suspicious of cuts that are swollen, hot, and filled with pus.

How does it spread? Staph infections are usually transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. The five C's make it easier for bacteria to spread:

• Crowding
• Contact
• Compromised skin (cuts or abrasions)
• Contaminated surfaces
• Cleanliness (lack thereof)

Prevention:

• Wash your hands regularly
• Use antibacterial lotion regularly
• Avoid sharing personal items (towels, etc.)
• Keep cuts and scrapes covered until healed
• Wash and dry soiled clothes thoroughly

How often should you wash your hands?

• After contact with people or shared surfaces
• After sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose
• After using the restroom
• Before preparing food
• After touching any soiled bandages or dressings

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Poison Ivy

The poison ivy plant contains oil called "urushiol." When your skin comes in contact with this, it "bonds" to your skin and can cause irritation. Poison ivy can be contracted by:

• Touching the poison ivy plant
• Touching clothing, objects, or pets that have come in contact with the plant
• Smoke from a burning poison ivy plant

Symptoms

• Within 1 to 2 days, a rash appears.
• Within 2 to 3 days, small blisters begin to form, usually causing the area to itch. Be cautious; bacteria under your nails can get into the blisters, causing infection.

See a doctor if:

• You experience a fever over 100 degrees
• The rash covers a large area of your body
• The rash is near your mouth, eyes or genital area
• Pus is coming from the blisters
• After a few days, the rash does not get better

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Sea Lice

The Sea Lice season typically lasts from March through August along the southeast Florida Atlantic coastline. Sea Lice are a larvae form of jellyfish, and are so small that they are barely visible. In the ocean, the larvae pass through the material of swimmers' bathing suits and become trapped. When the material is compressed against the skin, toxins from the larvae are triggered and deposited onto the skin. The body typically reacts to the toxins within a few minutes to several hours.

Symptoms:

Sea Lice causes an itchy rash to develop that typically lasts from three to seven days. However, in cases of severe reactions, the rash can sometimes last for several weeks. Other symptoms of Sea Lice reactions include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting

Treatment:

Visit the nearest MedExpress location, and have the Sea Lice reaction checked out by a medical provider. Hydrocortisone cream and oral antihistamines may help to relieve the itching.

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Sports Physicals

Sports Physicals can help you discover and deal with health problems that could interfere with your participation in a sport.

Get a Physical Today!

A sports physical has two main parts:

Medical History questions about:

• Serious illnesses among other family members
• Past illnesses, injuries, hospitalizations, and surgeries
• Whether you've passed out, felt dizzy, had chest pain, or strained breathing during exercise
• Any medications you are on

Physical Examination of:

• Height, weight, blood pressure, and pulse
• Vision
• Heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose, and throat
• Posture, joints, strength, and flexibility

MedExpress offers sports physicals 7 Days a Week. (Physicals requiring X-rays, labs or other ancillary requirements may result in additional charges.)

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Sprains & Strains

SPRAINS

Sprains occur when ligaments (tough bands of tissue that connect one bone to another) are stretched or torn, and can vary in severity.

Symptoms:

• Mild: (Excessive stretching or a slight tear of the ligament). Small amount of swelling and tenderness, but it's possible to put weight on the joint.
• Moderate: (The ligament fibers tear, but are not completely ruptured). Joint is tender, painful and difficult to move, swollen, possibly discolored from bleeding, and unsteady when weight is put on the joint.
• Severe: (One or more ligaments tear completely). The joint won't move normally or hold weight. Very swollen, possibly discolored. May be difficult to distinguish from fracture or dislocation.

Visit the nearest MedExpress location if there is a popping sound at the time of injury, considerable swelling, or if the injured joint cannot bear weight because of instability or pain. If the sprain is severe, then inadequate or delayed treatment may cause long-term joint or tissue damage.

STRAINS

Strains occur when muscles or tendons stretch or tear. They are common in the hamstrings and in back injuries. Symptoms of strains include: pain, stiffness, swelling, and bruising.

Visit the MedExpress nearest you if the area becomes swollen quickly, is intensely painful, if a ruptured muscle or broken bone is suspected, or if the pain, swelling, and stiffness of less severe strains doesn't improve in two to three days.

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Strep Throat

Strep throat is a highly-contagious bacterial infection that makes your throat feel sore and scratchy. Most sore throats are caused by viruses and clear up on their own; only a small portion are actually caused by the Streptococcus bacteria.

Symptoms:

• Throat pain and difficulty swallowing
• Red or swollen tonsils
• Tiny red spots at the back of your mouth
• Swollen and tender neck glands
• Fever and headache
• Rash
• Stomach ache and vomiting

Treatment:

It is possible to have several of the above symptoms and not have strep throat. For this reason, a MedExpress provider will test specifically for strep throat before prescribing any antibiotics. In addition to antibiotics, ways to feel better include getting plenty of water and rest, eating soft foods that are easy on the throat, and gargling a glass of warm salt water several times a day.

Prevention:

• Washing your hands often
• Covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Not sharing utensils or drinking glasses

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Sunburn

Sunburn is a burn to the skin produced by overexposure to the sun's rays. Sunburn can cause premature aging and increases your risk of skin cancer. Severe sunburn requires medical attention.

Symptoms:

• Skin that is tight, red and painful
• Swollen skin
• Blisters
• Fevers and chills

Prevention:

• Avoid the sun between the hours of 10am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest.
• Wear proper attire, such as a brimmed hat, sunglasses, and light, breathable fabrics
• Use a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF, even on overcast days. Apply at least 20 minutes before heading outdoors, and re-apply every few hours and immediately after swimming or sweating.

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