First Aid is one of those tricky skills that you rarely ever need…until, suddenly, you do. Even small medical accidents can be stressful, but knowing how to react can keep a minor problem from taking a turn for the worse.
First Aid is one of those tricky skills that you rarely ever need…until, suddenly, you do. Even small medical accidents can be stressful, but knowing how to react can keep a minor problem from taking a turn for the worse.
Here are 7 tips to keep in mind the next time you face any of the following:
For Minor Burns
To treat them, rinse the wound with lukewarm water. While ice water might seem more obvious, it can actually cause more tissue damage. After cleaning the burn, apply an ice pack or cold compress. Using butter or grease is an old folk remedy, but that can actually cause more damage to the wound because it slows down the release of the heat. A paste made by mixing water and baking soda can also help to release the heat from the burn.
For Cuts and Scrapes
Use gentle pressure to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding hasn’t slowed after 20 to 30 minutes of pressure, seek additional medical attention.
Clean the scrape with water, but avoid getting soap in an open wound. Apply an antibiotic (like Neosporin) and cover with a bandage.
For Jellyfish stings
You can try to rinse the wound with salt water. You can also rinse with hot water, vinegar, or cover the wound with a solution of baking soda and water. Activated charcoal can also help draw out the jellyfish venom. You may have heard the popular urban legend that urine can be used to treat jellyfish stings. Realistically, urine usually does not have enough acid to counteract the venom.
For Heart attacks
Chewing an aspirin can help because it will inhibit the blood platelets that cause blood clotting, which is what blocks your arteries. When taking aspirin, it is important to take small doses and to chew the pill instead of swallowing it or taking it with water, since this will help it work faster. Try to contact emergency services as soon as possible.
For Heat Exhaustion
Get out of the heat immediately and lay down with feet and legs elevated. Replenish fluids and place a cool cloth on the forehead or back of the neck.
Make sure to monitor symptoms to ensure heat exhaustion doesn’t turn into heat stroke. Seek immediate medical attention if fainting, confusion, or high fever occurs.
For Bee Stings
Assuming there isn’t an allergy to contend with, remove the stinger and apply a cold pack or cloth to reduce swelling.
Hydrocortisone or lidocaine creams can help minimize pain and itching.
For Sprained Ligaments
Though sprains can be painful, they are usually minor and can be easily treated without medical intervention. The first step is to avoid putting any weight or using the affected limb.
Use ice and compression at regular intervals throughout the day and elevate the injured limb above your heart to reduce swelling.
Here are 7 tips to keep in mind the next time you face any of the following:
To treat them, rinse the wound with lukewarm water. While ice water might seem more obvious, it can actually cause more tissue damage. After cleaning the burn, apply an ice pack or cold compress. Using butter or grease is an old folk remedy, but that can actually cause more damage to the wound because it slows down the release of the heat. A paste made by mixing water and baking soda can also help to release the heat from the burn.
For Cuts and Scrapes
Use gentle pressure to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding hasn’t slowed after 20 to 30 minutes of pressure, seek additional medical attention.
Clean the scrape with water, but avoid getting soap in an open wound. Apply an antibiotic (like Neosporin) and cover with a bandage.
For Jellyfish stings
You can try to rinse the wound with salt water. You can also rinse with hot water, vinegar, or cover the wound with a solution of baking soda and water. Activated charcoal can also help draw out the jellyfish venom. You may have heard the popular urban legend that urine can be used to treat jellyfish stings. Realistically, urine usually does not have enough acid to counteract the venom.
For Heart attacks
Chewing an aspirin can help because it will inhibit the blood platelets that cause blood clotting, which is what blocks your arteries. When taking aspirin, it is important to take small doses and to chew the pill instead of swallowing it or taking it with water, since this will help it work faster. Try to contact emergency services as soon as possible.
For Heat Exhaustion
Get out of the heat immediately and lay down with feet and legs elevated. Replenish fluids and place a cool cloth on the forehead or back of the neck.
Make sure to monitor symptoms to ensure heat exhaustion doesn’t turn into heat stroke. Seek immediate medical attention if fainting, confusion, or high fever occurs.
For Bee Stings
Assuming there isn’t an allergy to contend with, remove the stinger and apply a cold pack or cloth to reduce swelling.
Hydrocortisone or lidocaine creams can help minimize pain and itching.
For Sprained Ligaments
Though sprains can be painful, they are usually minor and can be easily treated without medical intervention. The first step is to avoid putting any weight or using the affected limb.
Use ice and compression at regular intervals throughout the day and elevate the injured limb above your heart to reduce swelling.
