Travel First Aid
Travel First Aid Kit Just as you prepare first aid kits for your home and car, you should also create one for travel. Your travel kit can be customized for every trip. You will want to bring basic supplies found in your standard home emergency kit, but you should also include other items. Consider the […]
Snake Bites
What Are Snake Bites? A bite from a venomous snake can be deadly, and should always be treated as a medical emergency. Even a bite from a harmless snake can be serious, leading to an allergic reaction or an infection. Venomous snake bites can produce an array of symptoms, including localized pain and swelling, convulsions, […]
Shock
Lay the Person Down, if Possible Elevate the person’s feet about 12 inches unless head, neck, or back is injured or you suspect broken hip or leg bones. Do not raise the person’s head. Turn the person on side if he or she is vomiting or bleeding from the mouth. Begin CPR, if Necessary If the person […]
Poisoning First Aid
Poisoning is injury or death due to swallowing, inhaling, touching or injecting various drugs, chemicals, venoms or gases. Many substances such as drugs and carbon monoxide are poisonous only in higher concentrations or dosages. And others such as cleaners are dangerous only if ingested. Children are particularly sensitive to even small amounts of certain drugs […]
Nose Bleeds
Stop the Bleeding Have the person sit up straight and lean forward slightly. Don’t have the person lie down or tilt the head backward. With thumb and index finger, firmly pinch the nose just below the bone up against the face. Apply pressure for 5 minutes. Time yourself with a clock. If bleeding continues after […]
Muscles Strains
Control Swelling and Prevent Further Injury With PRICE Protect by applying an elastic bandage, sling, or splint. Rest the muscle for at least a day. Ice immediately, and continue to ice for 10 to 15 minutes every hour, for 2-3 days. Compress by gently wrapping with an Ace or other elastic bandage. (Don’t wrap tightly.) Elevate injured area […]
Motion Sickness
Any type of transportation can cause motion sickness. It can strike suddenly, progressing from a feeling of uneasiness to a cold sweat, dizziness and then vomiting. Motion sickness usually quiets down as soon as the motion stops. The more you travel, the more easily you’ll adjust to being in motion. You may escape motion sickness […]
Minor Cut Management
Minor cuts and scrapes usually don’t require a trip to the emergency room. These guidelines can help you care for such wounds: Wash your hands. This helps avoid infection. Also put on disposable protective gloves if they’re available. Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If not, apply […]
Migraine
A migraine is a throbbing, intense headache in one half of the head. It can affect people of all ages. The cause of migraine is not known. It used to be thought that during an attack, the blood vessels in the brain dilate and then draw together with stimulation of nerve endings near the affected […]
Insect Bite
Most reactions to insect bites and stings are mild, causing little more than redness, itching, stinging or minor swelling. Rarely, insect bites and stings, such as from a bee, a wasp, a hornet, a fire ant or a scorpion, can result in severe reactions. Some insects also carry disease, such as West Nile virus. For […]