Q: Because of the hormonal changes and physical pressure of pregnancy, your feet will probably swell at some point. Hormones can cause your body to retain fluid. This fluid and the growing baby can put pressure on the veins in your pelvis and legs, restricting the blood flow to your feet. You may notice swelling get worse in the evening, in warmer weather, or in the third trimester. If you have preeclampsia, your blood pressure increases and too much protein is excreted in your urine. You might see swelling on your face, hands, and feet. You may also have headaches, shortness of breath, or abdominal pain. Since preeclampsia can become very serious very quickly you should contact your doctor. If you're diagnosed with preeclampsia, your doctor will consider the specifics of your pregnancy to manage the condition. Once you're 37 weeks, the doctor will probably want to deliver the baby to prevent complications. DVT is a serious condition during pregnancy because blood clots can form in the veins of your legs. If you notice swelling, pain, tenderness, warmth, or redness in only one of your legs, contact your doctor immediately. DVT can happen during pregnancy because more clotting factors are produced and there's more pressure on the veins of your pelvis. Your doctor will probably recommend starting injections of a medication that prevents the clot from getting bigger so your body can break it down. You'll need injections throughout your pregnancy and up to six weeks postpartum. If your swelling is associated with redness or severe tenderness  in your feet, you may have cellulitis. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection deep within your skin. You may also have a fever. Pregnancy can increase your risk for cellulitis, so if you think you may have it, contact your doctor. Treatment for cellulitis usually includes antibiotics. Your doctor will choose antibiotics that are safe for you to use depending on which trimester you're in. Always let your physician know about any swelling that you have during pregnancy. You should be checked for more serious conditions. If you see swelling in only one leg in addition to one or more of the following, you should call your doctor immediately:  Pain Changes in swelling Red streaks on your legs Swelling that doesn't improve overnight Swelling on your hands or face
A: Learn what causes normal swelling. Watch for signs of preeclampsia. Recognize symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Look for signs of cellulitis. Get medical attention for swelling.

Q: Ointments seal the burn, and may actually prevent healing if you apply them too soon. For first-degree burns, wait 24 hours before you apply any burn care or other ointments. If you are not near a medical facility and you have a second-degree burn, apply bacitracin ointment (an antibiotic) to the burn to prevent infection as you get to treatment. This is the only situation in which you should apply bacitracin to burned skin. Benzocaine is a local anesthetic that numbs nerve endings in the skin, providing relief from burn pain. The pharmacy may have any of a variety of benzocaine brands such as Anacaine, Chiggerex, Mandelay, Medicone, Outgro, or Solarcaine. Furthermore, these products are available in a wide variety of applications: cream, spray, liquid, gel, ointment, or wax. Read the instructions on the package to learn the correct application method and dosage. Make sure not to overuse benzocaine, as it soaks into the skin more easily than some other local anesthetics. You can relieve some of the pain from a minor burn by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. An oral NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen or naproxen will help relieve pain and inflammation from the burn. Follow all dosing instructions on the packaging. Take the smallest dose that is effective at relieving your pain. If cold water doesn't make the pain diminish, shaving cream is a surprisingly effective solution! Shaving creams like Barbasol contain a chemical called triethanolamine. Triethanolamine is an active ingredient in Biatine, a prescription cream used to treat even severe burns in hospital settings. Just spread it over the affected skin and leave it alone until the pain goes down.  Avoid mentholated shaving creams, as they may cause further irritation. This should only be considered when you have a first-degree burn. Do not attempt this method with a burn that is any more severe than a sunburn.
A:
Do not apply burn ointments for the first 24 hours. Find over-the-counter benzocaine products. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Spread shaving cream over the burn site.