FDA Consumer Health Information Updates

A pulse oximeter, or pulse ox, is a device that estimates the amount of oxygen in the blood. Here’s what to know before using one.

Sugarless gum may contain xylitol, a class of sweetener known as sugar alcohol. Xylitol is present in many products and foods for human use, but can have devastating effects on your pet.

Timely articles and multimedia content about food and food-safety.

Consumer articles about cosmetics.

Consumer articles about medical devices.

Consumer articles about over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

When a child’s sniffles and sneezes won’t go away for weeks, the cause might be allergies. The FDA regulates prescription and OTC medicines that offer allergy relief, plus allergen extracts to diagnose and treat allergies. Read and follow the directions when giving any medicine to children.

The FDA investigates foodborne illnesses for human foods and animal foods. FDA’s Vet-LIRN program can help your vet determine if the illness is a result of something your animal ate.

Certain UV wands may cause injuries within seconds and alternative disinfection methods should be used. The FDA issued a safety communication alerting consumers about these products.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can happen to anyone. And these types of injuries, even mild traumatic brain injuries (concussions), contribute to a substantial number of emergency room visits and can result in long term brain injuries and deaths.

When it comes to planning for emergencies, pet owners should consider their pets too. With some simple preparations now, you can make sure your pet will be protected, safe and healthy, during and after any emergency.

Just as FDA reviews drugs for humans for safety and effectiveness before they can go on the market, the agency does the same for treatments for animals. Learn how FDA brings new oncology treatments to market and questions to ask your vet about your dog's cancer diagnosis.

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are a hazard year-round. Here are tips for preventing and treating the itchy rash and blisters.

Dietary supplements can help improve health but can also have risks. Get the facts on supplements and how the FDA regulates them to help keep you safe.

Dietary supplements may contain ingredients that can have strong effects in the body. Talk with a health care professional before taking supplements.

Consumers drink billions of gallons of bottled water each year. Find out about FDA's role in ensuring that bottled water products are safe.

Consumers cannot be confident that certain products, including weight loss and male enhancement products, sold on online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay or in stores, are safe to use.

Secondhand and third-hand smoke may be making your pet dog, bird, cat, guinea pig, or fish sick.

Just as obesity has become a serious problem in people, it's also a growing problem in pets, one that can seriously harm your pet's health.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) devices only considered safe and effective for certain conditions. The FDA recommends you use a HBOT device under the care of a doctor and in a hospital or facility that has hyperbaric accreditation.