May 13, 2021 | A well-stocked first aid kit can mean the difference between a common injury and a medical emergency. It’s a good idea to keep at least one first-aid kit in your home and another in your car. These kits should be some place that’s easy for you to access but still out of the reach of young children. A first-aid kit can be purchased at many drug stores or can be assembled based on the activities and needs of you and your family. Among the things your kit should contain include adhesive tape, elastic bandages, instant cold packs, plastic bags of assorted sizes and an aluminum finger splint. Sterile saline for irrigating a wound is recommended along with aloe vera gel, calamine lotion and eyewash solution. Hydrogen peroxide to disinfect a cut, hydrocortisone cream and pain relievers like acetaminophen are also recommended. And last but not least, a first-aid manual and emergency phone numbers should be included in every first-aid kit.

May 13, 2021 | Would you know what to do if you yourself or someone around you was choking? Choking is signaled by an inability to speak, cough or breathe, and may result in a loss of consciousness and death. When dealing with a conscious adult who is choking but unable to speak or breathe, you may employ the abdominal thrusts known as the Heimlich maneuver. First, reach around the person’s waist. Position one clenched fist above the navel and below the rib cage. Grasp your fist with your other hand. Pull the clenched fist sharply and directly backward and upward under the rib cage six to 10 times quickly. If you find yourself choking, don’t panic and call 911. If available, lean over the back of a chair and press hard on your abdomen and chest to expel the object or attempt to use your fists to give yourself the Heimlich maneuver. Avoid using excessive force in employing the maneuver to avoid injury to the ribs or internal organs.

May 13, 2021 | Fainting is a loss of consciousness caused when the blood supply to the brain is momentarily interrupted. While typically sudden and alarming, it usually is not harmful, unless the person suffers a fainting-related injury, and consciousness is typically regained quickly. However, it may be indicative of an underlying health condition, such as low blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, hypoglycemia or stress, so follow-up medical attention is recommended. If someone faints or appears to be fainting, first call 911. Then assist the person by lowering him or her to the ground or another flat surface. Check to make sure they are breathing. If there are no injuries, elevate their legs up to a foot off the ground and loosen any restrictive clothing. If you feel faint, either lie down or sit down immediately. If you sit down, bend forward with your head between your knees to help get the blood flowing to your brain. Wait until you feel better before trying to stand up.

May 13, 2021 | Jellyfish stings are a common occurrence during the summer months, and while they can be painful, they are easy to treat and seldom require medical attention. Jellyfish tentacles release thousands of very tiny stinging cells called nematocysts that attach to the surface of the skin and release venom. Try to refrain from scratching or rubbing the area that was stung because the stinging cells continue to release more venom when you do that and it worsens the already itchy, red painful area. The most effective way to break down and prevent further release of the jellyfish venom is to rinse the affected skin with hot water. The venom is broken down by hot water but not by cold water. Apply Lidocaine or Benzocaine, cover the area with a dry dressing and you may need to take over-the-counter medications for pain and itching. The discomfort may last around 30 minutes but the redness and itching may linger for several hours or days.

May 13, 2021 | Shock is a serious, often life-threatening medical condition that results when the body is not getting enough blood flow and may lead to hypoxia, a lack of oxygen in the body tissues, or cardiac arrest, in which the heart stops. So how do you know when someone is suffering from shock? If their skin is cool or clammy to the touch, if they are suffering from profuse sweating or thirst, and if there is a blue tinge to their lips or fingernails, they are likely in shock. The first thing to do is call 911. Then, lay the person down, with their feet slightly elevated but don’t elevate the head. Keep them warm and comfortable and loosen any restrictive clothing. Don’t give them anything to eat or drink and continue to check their breathing every five minutes until help arrives. If the person vomits or bleeds from the mouth, turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking. And don’t wait for any mild symptoms to get worse before seeking emergency medical help.