Even if you've checked off every item on your wedding checklist to ensure your big day is flawless, some things are simply beyond your control, such as becoming ill on your wedding day. But just because you don't feel your best in the morning doesn't mean you have to redo your wedding day schedule. Check out these doctor-recommended treatments for almost any illness or injury you may encounter on your wedding day.
How to Fight Common Illnesses and Injuries
A Flu/Fever
The best flu defense is a good offense: proper prewedding self-care to ensure your health. If you wake up on your wedding day with the flu, it's a terrible illness that makes you feel absolutely awful. Antibiotics cannot be used to treat the flu, and medications may only shorten its duration by a few hours—inconvenient on your wedding day.
To keep the fever under control, alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Try the BRAT diet for food: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These foods are nutritious but easy on the stomach, and they are most likely available at home or in a hotel. Chicken soup is another hearty dish that will warm you up while also providing protein and vegetables.
A Cold
Don't let something as simple as a cold ruin your special day. While you can't get rid of the sniffles overnight, there are ways to alleviate your symptoms and feel well enough to dance the night away. Try a pseudoephedrine and oxymetazoline nasal spray combination (ask your pharmacist for Sudafed from behind the counter) (Afrin). If you have high blood pressure or heart problems, always consult your doctor before taking these medications.
Consider hydration when it comes to diet. Water is always a good choice, but if you're really thirsty, try coconut water or Pedialyte. Gatorade is far too sweet for your needs. Do you have any fruit on hand? Make your own hydration recipe using natural antibiotics such as papaya, turmeric, ginger, coconut water, and raw honey.
We understand that your wedding may have made you extra chatty. However, if you have a cold on your wedding day, your voice may be weak or you may be coughing. Rest your vocals as much as possible before saying your "I dos." Begin your day with a saltwater gargle made with one tablespoon of salt dissolved in eight ounces of water. Ginger tea with honey can also help to soothe your throat. If you want to try medication, try Benzonatate (Tessalon Perles) for coughing or guaifenesin for mucus (Mucinex). Just don't take any medications that can make you sleepy at the same time.
A Hangover
You're sick on your wedding day because you had a little too much fun at the rehearsal dinner last night? Take ibuprofen or Tylenol for a trembling headache and start chugging—water or juice—to rehydrate. Eating water-rich fruits, such as melons, can also help. If you're feeling particularly daring, drink pure celery juice on an empty stomach.
This will calm your stomach and help to restore its acid balance. If you can't live without coffee but are concerned that it will dehydrate you, don't—this is a myth. To soak up extra alcohol and replenish your energy, eat foods high in protein and healthy fats such as eggs, salmon, avocado, and whole grains.
Pink Eye
Your worst fear was smudging your eyeliner, but now you have pink eye. Your doctor will most likely prescribe an antibiotic, but in a pinch, an over-the-counter eye drop will suffice. You can always have your wedding photographer make adjustments to your photos. Most of your guests will not even notice from afar. Depending on the type of pink eye you have, it can be highly contagious, so keep good hygiene habits throughout the day.
A Sprained Ankle
A sprained ankle can happen to the best of us, whether you were taking a wedding day jog to calm your nerves or breaking in a pair of heels for the reception. Regrettably, there is no quick fix. Consider resting, elevating the foot, applying ice, and taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. Buy an elastic bandage from your local pharmacy and remove it for photos for added support. Wedding flats or going barefoot can be just as stylish as the heels you were breaking in. And, of course, take advantage of every opportunity to rest before the wedding.