Stop pain in its tracks with these remedies [1]

A scorched mouth (pizza burn)

Understand it: "The tissue in the roof of the mouth is very thin, so it's sensitive and prone to a painful burn when hot food meets your palate," says Michael W. Smith, M.D., chief medical editor for WebMD.

Stop it: Pop an ice cube for damage control; you're numbing the area and reducing swelling. Anbesol or another oral-use topical anesthetic can help, too.

Still hurts? After eating, rinse with a solution of 1/8 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. The salt will help disinfect your mouth. Just don't swallow.

Prevent it: Be careful with foods coming out of the microwave. "While the outside may feel just warm, the inside may be scorching hot," says Dr. Smith. Let any nuked meal rest for at least a few minutes before digging in.

Plantar fasciitis

Understand it: The band of tissue that runs along the arch of your foot is inflamed from hitting the treadmill or pavement.

Stop it: Ease up on the cardio until the stabbing pain's edge dulls. If it flares back up, take ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) and ice your heel for 15 to 20 minutes. Loosening up the area might also help. "Men with this problem often have tight calf muscles and Achilles tendons," says Matthew Matava, M.D., an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Washington University. Try rolling each foot over a tennis ball for 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day.

Still hurts? Use a night splint to keep your foot, calf, and plantar fascia stretched overnight, reducing the pain, says Nicholas A. DiNubile, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and the author of FrameWork: Your 7-Step Program for Healthy Muscles, Bones, and Joints.

Prevent it: Don't set the treadmill on an incline. "Running uphill strains the plantar fascia," says Dr. Matava, who recommends finding running shoes with strong arch supports that fit your foot's structure to relieve pressure. (We like the Asics Gel-Evolution 4.)