OTC Conditions Flashcards
What are the presenting symptoms of acne?
Open Comedones (blackheads) or closed comedones (whiteheads) Often found on face, chest, upper back and upper arms
When do you treat acne with OTCs?
Only when its mild acne Few erythematous papules and occasional pustules, no scarring
What is the goal of treating acne with an OTC?
Prevent new lesions and scarring Improve psychological effects and appearance Lower med side effects Educate patient on appropriate healthcare provider follow up
What are some complementary and non-pharmacologic treatment options for acne?
Eliminate causes Wash skin Adequate skin hydration Change diet Physical treatments
What are the OTC treatments for acne?
- Benzoyl Peroxide 2. Alpha & beta - hydroxy acids 3. Sulfur and resorcinol 4. Adapalene
What are follow up recommendation for Acne?
Pt should follow up with PCP if symptoms worsen or if they do not improve within 6 weeks
What are the symptoms of Allergic Conjunctivitis?
- Red eyes 2. Watery discharge 3. Itching eyes 4. Blurred vision due to excessive tearing
When do you not treat allergic conjunctivitis?
- Thick yellow discharge or crusting (bacterial infection) 2. Light sensitivity 3. last longer than 72 hours 4. Age less than 2 5. History of glaucoma 6. Foreign object feeling 7. accompanied by fever
What is the goal of treating allergic conjunctivitis
- Prevent corneal dmg 2. Remove and avoid allergen 3. alleviate bothersome symptoms 4. Minimize med side effects 5. educate pt about having follow up
What are some complementary and non-pharmacologic treatment options for allergic conjunctivitis?
- Avoid the allergen (pollen count, close window) 2. Cool compresses 3-4 times a day 3. Do not wear contacts 4. good hygiene
What are some OTC treatments for allergic conjunctivitis?
- Ophthalmic antihistamines 2. Ophthalmic decongestants 3. Artificial tears 4. Oral antihistamines
What are the follow up recommendations for allergic conjunctivitis?
Follow up with PCP if symptoms worsen or persist within 3 days
What are the symptoms of allergies?
- Sneezing 2. Rhinorrhea 3. Itchy eyes, nose, or palate 4. Nasal obstruction 5. Conjunctivitis 6. Pain
When do you not treat allergies with an OTC?
- Children less than 12 2. Pregnant or lactating women 3. Symptoms of infection 4. Shortness of breath 5. COPD 6. Uncontrolled asthma
What are the goals of therapy for treatment of allergies?
- alleviate symptoms 2. Minimize med side effects 3. Educate pt to follow up with PCP
What are the best non-pharmacologic treatment options for allergies?
- Avoid allergen (best) 2. Know what effects them most 3. Clean house 4. Air quality index 5. Use HEPA filters 6. nasal saline profucts
What are the OTC treatment options of allergies?
- Antihistamines 2. Decongestants 3. Mast cell stabilizers 4. Intranasal corticosteroids
What are the follow up recommendations for someone with allergies?
Pt should follow up with PCP if symptoms do not get better within 2 weeks
What are the symptoms of alopecia?
- Androgenetic Alopecia (men) : Receding front hair line, thinning at the vertex 2. Women: More diffuse hair loss, dec hair length and thickness Could come with concurrent acne, hirutism and infertility
When do you not treat Alopecia with an OTC?
- less than 18 2. Pregnant or breast feeding 3. No family history of hair loss 4. Sudden or patchy hair loss 5. Loss of eyebrows or eyelashes
What are the goals of treatment for alopecia?
- restore appearance 2. minimize medication side effects 3. educate pt
What are the non-pharmacologic treatment options for alopecia?
- cosmetic camouflage : spray-on powders or wigs
What is the OTC treatment for alopecia?
Minoxidil (2% for women, 5% for men)
What are the follow-up recommendations for alopecia?
If symptoms worsen or persist and do not improve within 4 to 6 months see PCP ** if it works pt must use indefinitely
What are the symptoms of atopic dermatitis?
- erythema 2. Scaling 3. May include crusts, pustules or plagues
When do you not treat atopic dermatitis with OTCs
- Moderate‐severe condition with intense itching 2. Affected area covers large areas of the body 3. Affected area covers large areas of the body
What is the goal of therapy for atopic dermatitis?
- Stop the itch‐scratch cycle 2. Restore skin hydration & barrier function (prevent secondary infection) 3. Educate the patient about prevention 4. Minimize medication side effects
What are some of the non-pharmacologic treatments for atopic dermatitis?
- Identify and avoid triggers 2. Extra rinse cycle on laundry 3. Lukewarm baths without additives followed by moisturizers 4. Good fingernail hygiene 5. Use of mild (hypoallergenic) cleansers & cosmetics
What are some of the OTC treatment options for atopic dermatitis?
- Hydrocortisone 2. bactracin and polymyxin B 3. Oatmeal bath
What are the follow up recommendations for atopic dermatitis?
Patient should follow up with PCP if symptoms worsen or if they persist and do not improve despite treatment within: 3 days
What are the symptoms of Bites and stings?
May be painless or sharp intense pain, including itching May include wheal and flare reaction
When do you not treat a bite or sting with an OTC?
- Severe reactions (including history of it) 2. Significant reaction away from site 3. Symptoms persist for a week or longer 4. Child less than 2 years of age – Refer to PCP
What are the goals of therapy for treatment of bites and stings?
- Identify anaphylactic and other emergent and urgent symptoms 2. B Prevent secondary bacterial infections 3. alleviate symptoms
What are some of the non-pharmacologic treatments for bites and stings?
- Prevention 2. Treatment (ice 10 min on, 10 off) Baking soda (mix with water to make paste)
What are some of the OTC treatment options for bites and stings?
- Topical anesthetics and antihistamines 2. Topical counter irritants, and corticosteroids 3. Topical skin protectants 4. systemic analgesics and antihistamines
What are the follow up recommendations for bites and stings
Follow up within 1 week **if very serious rxn call 911 and pt should go to ER
What are the symptoms of canker sores?
Round or oval shaped, gray or yellowish colored, flat or crater‐like ulcerations located on the tongue, floor of mouth, soft palate, or inside lining of lips or cheeks *usually painful
When do you not treat canker sores with OTCs?
Toothache, bleeding gums, broken teeth, missing teeth, tooth pain, trauma to the mouth with bleeding, swelling, etc Mouth soreness due to poo-fitting dentures Presence of fever or swelling
What are the goals of therapy for canker sores?
- Heal lesion and allow normal eating, drinking 2. Prevent secondary infection
What are the non-pharmacologic treatment options of canker sores?
- Avoid irritation (sharp, acidic, or spicy foods) 2. Apply ice (10 mins at a time, not to exceed 20 minutes per hour) 3. Oral debriding wound cleansing agents
What are some of the OTC treatment options for canker sores?
- Topical oral anesthetics and protectants 2. oral rinses
What is the follow-up recommendation for canker sores?
2 weeks if they dont get better or they worsen
What are the symptoms of cold and flu?
Cold: 1. onset within 3 day 2. Duration 7-14 days 3. low grade fever Flu: 1. Onset within 3 to 6 hours 2. Duration 3 days 3. fever greater than 100 4. Physical presentation: body ache, chills, fatigue
When do you not treat the clod and flu with OTCs?
- less than 9 months *9 to 2 years with fever over 100 for more than 24 hours *9 to 2 years with temp over 104 at anytime 2. Frail older adults 3. Shortness of breath 4. Chronic immunosuppression (AIDS, suppressed from medications, etc 5. lasts longer than 7 days
What is the goal of therapy for the cold and flu?
- prevent transmission 2. alleviate symptoms
What are some of the non-pharmacologic treatment options for cold and flu?
- rest 2. hydration 3. cold mist humidifier 4. cost mist vaporizer
What are the OTC treatments for the cold and flu?
- decongestants 2. antihistamines 3. local anesthetics 4. systemic analgesics
What are the follow-up recommendations for the cold and flu?
1 week
What are the symptoms of cold sores?
- Patients may notice a tingling or itching during prodromal period 2. Small red papule often presents at junction of lips or nose 3. Lesions are often painful and irritating
When do you not treat cold sores with an OTC?
- last longer than 14 days 2. Patients with compromised immunity 3. pts with signs of infection
What are the goals of therapy for cold sores?
- Reduce healing time and duration of symptoms 2. Prevent spreading of lesions 3. Prevent secondary infection
What are the complementary therapies of cold sores?
- Melaleuca (tea tree) oil has similar effect on healing time as acyclovir e 2. Lysine decreases frequency of outbreaks 3. Lemon balm reduces healing time and prevents spread of infection
What are the non-pharmacologic treatment for cold sores?
- Lesions may be gently washed with mild soap and should be kept moist to prevent cracking 2. Wash hands frequently to avoid spreading the virus or contaminating the lesions 3. Use sunscreen if sun exposure is a trigger
What are the OTC treatment options for cold sores?
Docosanol
What is the follow up recommendation for cold sores?
2 weeks
What are the symptoms of constipation?
Decrease in the frequency of fecal elimination to less than 3 times per week characterized by passage of hard dry stool, with straining, and the feeling of incomplete emptying
When do you not treat constipation with OTCs?
- less than 2 2. severe abdominal pain 3. significant distention or cramping 4. nausea and vomiting 5. GI bleed 6. sudden change in stool 7. IBS or anorexia
What are the goals of therapy for constipation?
- Relieve constipation and reestablish normal bowel function 2. Establish dietary and exercise habits that aid in preventing recurrences
What are some non-pharmacologic treatment options for treatment of constipation?
- inc fiber 2. inc fluids 3. inc exercise 4. bowel routine development
What are some OTC treatments for constipation?
- bulk forming laxatives (fiber) 2. emollient (stool softener) 3. hypersomotic laxatives 4. lubricant laxatives 5. saline laxatives 6. stimulant laxatives
What is the follow up recommendation for constipation?
1 week ** if really serious or painful seek intimidate care
What are the symptoms of contact dermatitis?
Irritant Contact Dermatitis: Inflamed erythematous rash that may be panful and cracked (most often hands and face due to occupational exposure Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Inflamed erythematous rash that generally includes papules, vesicles, or bullae, swollen skin and significant itching (limited to area of body exposed to allergic antigen contact site)
When do you not use OTC to treat contact dermatitis?
- less than 2 2. lasts more than 2 weeks 3. eyes, mouth, nose or genitalia involved 4. signs of infection 5. extreme itching, redness, swelling
What are the goals of therapy for contact dermatitis?
- remove the offending agent 2. treat inflammation, itching, oozing, crusting
What are some non-pharmacologic treatments of contact dermatits?
- removal of irritant (cool showers, DO NOT BATHE) 2. preventative and protective measures (clothing, acoid irritant)
What are the OTC options for treating contact dermatitis?
- Oral antihistamines 2. hydrocortisone 3. astringents
What is the follow up recommendations of contact dermatitis?
1 week
What are symptoms of a cough?
- differentiate between a productive (wet cough) in which sputum is produced, and a non‐productive (dry cough) in which sputum is NOT produced 2. differentiate between an effective cough (in which sputum is effectively expelled) and an ineffective cough (in which sputum is NOT effectively expelled)
When do you not treat a cough with OTC?
- less than 4 2. Last longer than 7 days 3. worsening cough 4. have fever (103 or higher for adult, 102 for child)
What are the goals of therapy for treating a cough?
- prevent complications 2. alleviate bothersome symptoms
What are the non-pharmacologic treatments for a cough?
- nonmedicated lozenges 2. cool-vapor humidifiers 3. body positioning 4. hydration 5. avoid honey in children less than 1
What are the OTC treatments for a cough?
- oral antitussives 2. topical antitussives 3. expectorants 4. NSAID’s
What is the follow-up recommendations for a cough?
1 week
What are the symptoms of diaper dermatitis?
- Red, shiny, wet appearing patches of skin in and near the diaper area **can affect anyone what wears diapers
When to not treat diaper dermatitis with OTC?
- possible secondary infection 2. frequent recurrence despite appropriate OTC treatment
What are the goals of therapy for diaper dermatitis?
- eliminate rash 2. restore skin hydration and barrier function
What are the non-pharmacologic treatment options for diaper dermatitis?
- increase diaper change frequency (min 6 times daily) 2. Use disposable diapers 3. DO NOT use hydrocortisone or clotrimazole
What are the OTC treatment for diaper dermatitis?
- liberal use of protectants white petrolatum, zinc oxide, lanolin
What are the follow-up recommendations for diaper dermatitis?
1 week
What are the symptoms of diarrhea?
- An abnormal increase in frequency and fluidity of bowel movements 2. more than 3 a day 3. sudden onset of nausea or vomiting 4. abdominal pain, fever chills 5. lower right quadrant pain and cramps
When do you not treat diarrhea with OTCs?
- less than 6 months 2. greater than 6 months with fever> 102 3. sever dehydration 4.severe stomach pain 5. risk for complications 6. Pregnacy 7. lasts longer than 14 days
What are the goals of therapy for diarrhea?
- prevent and correct fluid and electrolyte imbalance 2. identify and treat cause 3. prevent sudden morbidity and mortality
What are some of the non-pharmacologic treatments for diarrhea?
- keep food journal to identify triggers 2. Oral re-hydration salt solution (ORS) *** pedialyte “has suger, salt, water” gatorade and those drinks do not have correct balance
What are the OTC treatment options for diarrhea?
- loperamide 2. bismuth
What is the follow-up recommendations for diarrhea?
2 days *** if very serious go to ER
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
- Excessive tearing due to abnormal lubrication 2. White‐red eyes 3. Sandy, gritty feeling 4. Foreign body feeling
When do you not treat dry eye with an OTC?
- Blurred vision 2. Pain in the eye 3. Chemical exposure 4. Contact lens wearer 5. Blunt trauma to the eye 6. Symptoms lasting greater than 72 hours
What is the goal of therapy for dry eyes?
- Prevent corneal damage 2. Alleviate bothersome symptoms