Home remedies can help with minor, everyday problems. They are never a replacement for medical care. This page is here to help you decide, quickly, when to stop and get professional help.
Call emergency services now
- Chest pain or pressure
- Difficulty breathing
- Signs of stroke, such as sudden weakness, slurred speech, or face drooping
- Severe bleeding
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the lips or tongue
- Sudden severe pain
- Loss of consciousness
See a doctor promptly
- Fever lasting more than 3 days
- Symptoms getting worse instead of better
- Symptoms that keep returning
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood in urine, stool, or vomit
- A wound that will not heal
- New or worsening pain
Be extra careful if you are
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- A child or caring for one
- Over 65
- Living with a chronic condition such as diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease
- Taking regular medication, including blood thinners
A note on honesty
Health advice can affect your life. That is why this safety guide is linked from our pages. It is the most important guidance we publish.
If you are unsure, it is always safer to ask a doctor than to wait. Contact us if you spot an error on this page — but for urgent symptoms, contact emergency services first.