When to See a Clinician Instead of Trying a Remedy: Red-Flag Symptoms

Emergency: act first, read later

• Call 911 if someone collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, cannot be awakened, or has swelling of the face or throat. Poison Control says to call 911 now if a person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be awakened. [1] MedlinePlus lists swelling of the face, eyes or tongue among anaphylaxis symptoms and says to call 911. [2]
• Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, US) for a mental health crisis. The Lifeline is available 24/7/365, and conversations are free and confidential. [3]
• Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US) if you think someone swallowed, touched or breathed something harmful. Do not try to make the person vomit. [1] [4] Keep the container with you. See Poisoning: what to do first.

Do not try a remedy while you wait for help in any of these situations.

Signs that need emergency care

This table lists signs from the sources we read. It is not a complete list of every emergency.

The NHS rows describe symptoms from England's health service. In the US, use 911, as the MedlinePlus pages say.

Signs to call a clinician soon

These are not always emergencies, but they should not wait for a remedy to work.

• Yellow skin or eyes. MedlinePlus says jaundice turns the skin and whites of the eyes yellow, and can happen at any age and may be a sign of a problem. [9] NIH says cases of sudden liver damage in people taking dietary supplements are still rare but being reported more often. [10] For an example of warning symptoms, NIH says that for green tea extract, users should consult a provider if they develop liver trouble such as abdominal pain, dark urine or jaundice. [11] See liver injury warning signs.
• Side effects from a supplement. NIH advises that if you have side effects, you stop the supplement and contact your health care provider. [10] That advice is about supplements. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own; ask the prescriber or pharmacist.
• Any trouble with a medicine or supplement. The National Institute on Aging says to call your doctor right away if you have any trouble with prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines or supplements. [12]
• Anything you were told to monitor. If you have a condition, ask your clinician what signs matter for you.

Remedies that replace care

NIH is direct about cancer. It says no complementary approach has been shown to cure cancer or cause remission. [11] It also says unproven products should not be used to replace or delay medical treatment. [11] It cites a guideline from the Society for Integrative Oncology that warns that delayed treatment reduces the likelihood of a remission or cure. [11]

More broadly, NIH says not to use an unproven product as a reason to postpone seeing your health care provider about any health problem. [11] We did not find a general, source-backed list of every symptom that needs a clinician. Proper evidence not found: the NIH, FDA, NHS and MedlinePlus pages we read (listed below) did not give one, so this page limits itself to the signs above. When in doubt, ask a clinician or pharmacist.

What to bring when you go

Bring the list of everything you take, including supplements and teas. See the printable medicine and supplement list and talking with a health professional. In a poisoning, bring the container so staff know the product.