INJURY
| MATERIALS | ACTION
| DON'T
| WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR
|
BITES BUGS & INSECTS (fleas, bedbugs, spiders, mosquitoes)
| check with pharmacist for anti-itch. medication | apply anti-itch medication- Don't scratch it if you are allergic to check with pharmacist for specific instructions remove infection "bugs" from your home using commercial sprays, good cleaning habits, wash down bed, change sheets weekly. Vacuum floors and furniture, outside, use bug repellent.
| Don’t scratch, may cause infection | If you are allergic to bites (eg, bee stings)
|
BITES- ANIMAL
| mild soap and water, bandages
| clean wounds, stop bleeding with pressure, call doctor for tetanus shot and possible antibiotics note animal for rabies (if domestic get owner's name, if wild, note animal's behavior aggressive, drooling, staggering?)
| whenever an animal bites you (tetanus shot is necessary to prevent "lock-jaw")
| |
BUMPS & BRUISES (skin not broken | ice, cloths, pain medication (aspirin or non- aspirin)
| apply ice to the sore area, elevate
| Don't leave ice on sore area for more than 15 minutes, Don't apply heat
| ice decreases swelling, heat increases swelling If no improvement noticed in 24 hours, call your doctor
|
BURNS (sun or hot liquids) | ice, pain medication (aspirin or non- aspirin)
| First degree skin red and sore- apply ice, immerse in cold water, apply skin lotion to extensive call doctor. Second or third degree large thick blisters and/or skin blistering off, extreme pain, call doctor or go to Emergency Room, aspirin or non-aspirin for pain as directed by doctor or pharmacist
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| exposure to sun, especially between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, wear effective sun-blocking lotion, Do not pop blisters, Do healing not apply lotion to open blisters
| Healing should take 3- 7 days for 1st degree burns, 21-28 days for second degree burns and skin grafts may be necessary for third degree burns. See your doctor if bum is not healing
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|
COLD SORES
Burning, tingling, itching around lips} | Ice, clean cloth, soap | apply ice to decrease pain, usually no medication will cure cold sore, apply small amount of soap or 70% alcohol to dry scab
| Don't pick at the sores or crusts
| usually disappear within 7-10 days-if not, call your doctor
|
CUTS | Gauze pads, bandages, clean cloth, ice | wash to remove dirt, put pressure on cut with gauze and ice, 3-5 minutes to stop bleeding, elevate, if possible, apply bandage if necessary
| Don't relieve pressure once applied in order to examine wound-bleeding takes time to stop
| If cut is deep, bleeding is persistent, wound has foreign object embedded in it. An antibiotic may be necessary. Deep cuts or puncture wounds (e.g., stepping on a nail) require a tetanus shot Check frequently for signs of infection.
|
EYE | eye will naturally water to remove dirt or particles that have entered eye area.
| Do not put pressure on the eye-don't rub it. Don't put lotion or drops in eye unless directed to do so by your doctor
| if eye pain is persistent, if eye is red or "crusty" if vision becomes blurred or spotty. call doctor
| |
INFECTION
(red, warm to touch, painful, pus)
| soap and water
| wash area to remove dirt or foreign material, soak in warm water 3-4 times/day, keep area clean | Don't spread the if signs and infection wash your hands and use good hygiene | If signs and symptoms of infection persist or you have a fever, call a doctor |
LOOSE TOOTH (permanent tooth)
| wash hands
| recognize that all mouth injuries bleed profusely, push tooth back into place | Don't eat anything hard, eat soft foods and drink liquids
| Call doctor if unable to stop bleeding. Call dentist for advice
|
NOSEBLEED
| facial tissue
| Squeeze nose for 3-5 minutes continuously, put pressure on upper gums, under lip
| Do not lay down or put head back
| If unable to stop bleeding, call your doctor
|
POISON
| Ipecac Syrup | find out what was taken, How much was taken, and when it was taken. Call Poison Control or Doctor’s office or Emergency Room for advice. They will tell you whether to drink plenty of fluid or to induce vomiting
| Some poisons will Know Poison cause more damage if you cause vomiting, so find lately out what was taken before inducing vomiting
| Know your poison Control Number and call immediately
|
PULLED MUSCLE
(no bone or joint trauma) | Dull ache, increasing pain with movement. Apply ice to area for 15 minutes then remove for 20 minutes. Repeat every hour. Elevate if possible. Use aspirin or non-aspirin for pain
| Don’t use heat | If pain persists after several days, call your doctor
| |
SILVER | Tweezers, sterilized needle, bandage
| Try to remove sliver with tweezers alone. If not possible, sterilize end of sewing needle using a match, open skin around area of sliver, pull sliver out at the same angle as it went in, wash and bandage.
| Don’t use a duty needle to remove shiver.
|
If infection occurs following sliver removal, treat per infection and call doctor if infection persists.
|
Note: This chart is intended to be used as a guide only and NOT as a substitute for professional medical advice. Wash your hands before treating any injuries. If you are not sure what to do, call your doctor.