First add
Common Emergencies
Most childhood
injuries can be prevented with careful attention to a child's environment,
parental supervision, and knowledge of appropriate first aid.
According to the
American College of Emergency Physicians, every emergency can be handled by
remembering four things: prevent, prepare, recognize, act. Quick action can save
a life, since the initial minutes after an injury or medical crisis are
frequently the most critical. Calling 9-1-1- is one of the most important things
you can do in case of an emergency.
How can I prepare for an emergency?
· Keep a list
of emergency numbers by the phone. The police, fire department, poison control
center, hospital, ambulance service, and your family doctor's office should all
be included.
· Keep a list
of all the medications you and your family take and their dosages. In an
emergency, you might not be able to speak for yourself, so carry it with you.
The list could help prevent serious drug interactions.
· Make a list
of allergies, particularly drug allergies or those with severe reactions.
· Keep a
well-stocked first-aid kit at home, at work, and in your car. A good first-aid
kit will help you handle everything from blisters to severe cuts.
· Take a
first-aid class. A basic class will teach cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR),
and proper methods for treating burns, wrapping sprains, applying splints, and
performing the Heimlich maneuver.
How do I recognize an emergency?
Part of handling
an emergency is being able to evaluate warning signs and make a quick decision.
It's always best to err on the side of caution. In an emergency, always call
9-1-1 for assistance.
If you answer
"yes" to any of these questions below, or if you are unsure, it's best to call
an ambulance:
-
Is the child's condition life-threatening?
-
Could his condition worsen and become
life-threatening on the way to the hospital?
-
Could moving the child require the skills or
equipment of paramedics or emergency medical technicians?
-
Would distance or traffic conditions cause a
delay in getting the child to the hospital?
How do I treat cuts and scrapes?
For bruises:
Apply ice for 20
minutes. Don't massage the area.
For minor
bleeding:
First wash your
hands, then wash the wound thoroughly for at least 3 minutes with soap and
water. Rinse the wound. If the wound is in an area that will get dirty, cover it
with gauze or an adhesive bandage for a few days, but change the gauze daily.
Ointments or sprays aren't needed.
For heavy
bleeding:
Put continuous,
direct pressure with the palm of the hand on the wound to control bleeding. Use
gauze or a towel. Wash the wound with warm water.
For heavy
bleeding, call a doctor right away if:
-
The wound is large, deep, or bleeding
profusely.
-
The bleeding still continues after pressure
has been applied for 15 minutes.
-
A 1- to 3-day-old wound shows signs of
infection (redness, warmth, pain, swelling).
-
Cuts are on the child's palm, neck, face, or
genitals.
-
Dirt or debris is embedded in the wound.
-
The child develops a fever or swollen glands
after getting hurt.
-
The cut is made by a knife, scissors, or
ragged piece of metal.
For puncture
wounds:
Clean the wound
thoroughly for at least 5 minutes. Dry gently and apply and adhesive bandage.
Notify your physician for further treatment advise. He/she may wish you to
receive preventive treatment such as a tetanus toxoid booster injection.
How do I treat burns?
For chemical
burns (caused by acids or chemicals):
Remove the
clothing contaminated with the substance. Rinse the burned part of your child's
body with clear water for 20 minutes.
Do not rub
the skin.
Do not
apply ointments or butter. Contact your physician for further treatment advice.
For electrical
burns (for example, from a power line):
A child with an
electrical burn should go to the hospital right away. Electrical burns often
cause serious injury inside the body, but may not show on the skin.
For burns from
heat - hot water, stoves, heated appliances such as irons:
Do not
remove the child's clothing. Put the burned area of the body in cool tap water
or under water from a hose if you are outdoors.
Do not
apply ointments or butter.
Call the doctor
if:
-
There are 3 or more blisters on the skin, or
if a blister is bigger than 1 inch.
-
It was an electrical burn or if the burn is
on the face, neck, hands, feet, or genitals.
-
An explosion caused the burn.
-
There are areas of white or charred skin.
What do I do if my child is choking?
Call 9-1-1 for a
rescue squad.
If a child is
choking see if he or she can dislodge the food or object by coughing.
Do not
give fluids. It may worsen the problem.
If the airway is
completely blocked and the child is not breathing do the following:
For a child
under age 1:
1.
Use back blows.
2.
Place the baby
facedown in a 60-degree incline over your knees or on your forearm (gravity will
help propel the object out).
3.
Give 4 hard
blows with the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades in rapid
succession. If the breathing hasn't resumed, lay the child on the floor and
apply 4 rapid chest compressions over the lower breast bone (the sternum) using
2 fingers.
For a child
over age 1:
Give the Heimlich
maneuver if your child can't breathe, cough, or make a sound.
1.
Grasp your child
from behind, just below the lower ribs, but above the navel, in a bear-hug
fashion.
2.
Make a fist with
one hand and fold your other hand over it. Give a sudden upward jerk at a
45-degree angle to try to squeeze all the air out of the chest and pop the
lodged object out of the windpipe.
3.
Repeat this
upward abdominal thrust 6 to 10 times in rapid succession.
4.
If the child is
too heavy for you to suspend from your arms, lay him on his back on the floor.
Put your hands on both sides of the abdomen, just below the ribs, and apply
sudden, strong bursts of upward pressure.
How do I treat animal or human bites?
Calm the child
and control bleeding with pressure on the wound.
Wash with warm
water.
Call the doctor
immediately if:
-
The area around the bite is swollen and red.
-
Your child was bitten by an animal at risk
for carrying rabies (bat, fox, raccoon, skunk).
-
Your child's skin is broken by an animal or
human bite.
What do I do if my child has fallen?
Falls are the
most common form of injury visits to the emergency room for young children. If
your child falls she may have a head injury, fracture, or blunt trauma.
-
Call 9-1-1
if your child is unconscious, having trouble breathing, or may have a neck
injury.
-
Go to the emergency room
if your child is younger than 6 months, can't move a limb normally, or if a
bone looks deformed or crooked.
Call the doctor
if your child:
-
Is under younger than age 1, has a severe
headache, or a seizure occurs.
-
Has broken skin and may need stitches.
-
Is still crying 10 minutes after the fall.
-
Has slurred speech, blurred or doubled
vision, crossed eyes, or is walking or crawling unsteadily.
-
Has vomited 3 or more times.
-
Is unusually sleepy and difficult to awaken.
-
Has blood or watery fluid coming from the
nose or ears.
Observe your
child during the first 2 hours following the fall; if she falls asleep, wake her
after 2 hours to check her ability to walk and talk.
What do I do if my child is drowning or has nearly drowned?
Call 911
for emergency help if:
-
Your child is or was unconscious.
-
Your child is or has been in shock.
-
Your child has trouble breathing or coughs or
wheezes continuously.
-
Your child was submerged in water for more
than a few seconds.
To rescue your
child from the water:
· Try to reach
the child without getting into the water yourself.
· Look for the
spot in the water where you saw your child last until you reach him/her. Bring a
rope, towel, or another hard object for your child to hold onto while being
brought in.
· Do not walk
on thin ice if your child has fallen through: use your leg, hand, or branch for
the child to grasp.
When your child
is out of the water:
· See if your
child is breathing; if not begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (rescue
breathing); if no pulse, perform CPR.
· Remove wet
clothing; cover child with dry clothing or a blanket.
· Treat for
shock.
· Continue
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and/or CPR if your child still is not breathing and
has no pulse.
· If your child
is unconscious but breathing, turn her on her side so she doesn't inhale more
water, saliva, or vomit if she throws up.
· If your child
is unconscious but breathing, call for help but DO NOT leave the child; if no
help is available, take the child to the hospital yourself being careful to
immobilize the child's head between pillows or rolled-up articles of clothing
and keep the child's body lying straight.
· DO NOT give
up. Keep giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until your child begins to cough
and breathe alone.
Heat
Related Illnesses
Health
Alert provides you with an in-depth look at current topics in health and
medicine. To view previous Health Updates see our Reading Room.
TEST YOUR
KNOWLEDGE AND THEN READ ON FOR VALUABLE INFORMATION TO HELP YOU DEAL WITH THOSE
HOT SUMMER DAYS.
This
article is for information only. Consult your physician or health care provider
to discuss specific concerns with any health issue.
WHAT
TYPE OF SUNSCREENS WORK BEST AND HOW SHOULD THEY BE USED?
Sunscreens are available in a wide variety of different products. It is
recommended that you select a product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at
least 15. This number correlates to the degree of blockage. An SPF of 15, for
instance, allows you to stay in the sun 15 times longer than normal without
burning. Although products are available with an SPF of 30 or 45, there is
serious debate over how much added protection you really are receiving.
Select
sunscreen products that block against UVB and UVA rays, since both are believed
to induce skin cancer. The SPF rating however applies only to UVB rays. There is
no way at present to gauge how much protection from UVA rays a sunscreen will
afford. Here are other tips for applying sunscreen:
-
Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going
outside.
-
You will need at least one ounce of the
product to cover an average size body.
-
If you are swimming or sweating be sure that
you have a waterproof sunscreen and reapply more frequently.
-
Sunscreens are considered safe for children
aged 6 months and up, younger babies should be kept out of direct sunlight.
-
Don't forget to protect your lips with a
sunscreen containing lip balm.
-
Sunscreens should be used year round, not
only during summer months.
-
If you develop allergies or become sensitive
to one sunscreen, look for chemical free sunscreens with titanium dioxide.
-
Sunscreen products are available in gels,
sprays, liquids, and lotions to best suit your preferences.
-
Discard opened, unused, sunscreen products
after one year.
WHAT
PRECAUTIONS ARE NEEDED FOR OUTDOOR EXERCISE ON HOT SUMMER DAYS?
To
prevent heat related illnesses and stay cool when you work out, the American
Running and Fitness Association recommends the following precautions:
-
Plan your workout according to the weather.
Exercise when the air temperature is the coolest. Early morning or evening
times are usually best.
-
Wear light-weight, loose-fitting, light
colored clothing.
-
Drink plenty of water-begin before you start
exercising by consuming at least one pint of liquid. Continue to hydrate
yourself with at least 8 ounces of water for every 15-20 minutes during your
workout.
-
Wear comfortable well padded shoes to protect
your feet from hot surfaces.
-
Eat a diet that replaces minerals- such as
magnesium and potassium- that are often lost through perspiration.
Watermelons, cantaloupes, tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers are some examples
of good choices.
-
Splash water over your body-particularly your
head- to help keep your body temperature cool.
-
Exercise with a partner, that way if a
problem occurs, help is available.
-
Know your limitations. If you start to feel
lightheaded, nauseated or develop a headache, stop exercising and find a cool
place to rest.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HEAT ILLNESS AND HOW ARE THEY BEST
MANAGED?
Rising
temperatures, along with high humidity add up to heat stress. Heat stress can
lead to heat illness, the body's way of saying that it can't cope with the heat.
There are three kinds of heat illness: heatstroke, heat exhaustion and heat
cramps. They can occur separately or together. Certain people are predisposed to
heat illness. This includes the very young, the elderly, those not used to a hot
environment and people on certain medications. These medications may include
blood pressure pills, psychiatric medication and certain allergy medicines like
Benadryl.
'HEAT
CRAMPS'
Heat
cramps are painful muscle spasms that most commonly affect the arms, legs, and
abdomen. Heat cramps result when the fluids and minerals needed for proper
muscle functioning are lost and not adequately replaced. Low salt content in the
muscles causes painful cramping that can occur while you are exposed to the heat
or later in the day when you are inside. You can attempt to relieve the painful
cramps by squeezing, stretching, or gently massaging the affected muscle.
Replace lost fluids with water (you may add 1 teaspoon of salt to each glass) or
an electrolyte solution like Gatorade. Get out of the sun and rest in a cool
environment. Eating salty foods such as popcorn or potato chips may help as long
as you drink enough liquids.
HEAT
EXHAUSTION
Heat
exhaustion develops gradually and is due to a decreasing level of fluids in the
body. A victim of heat exhaustion sweats profusely but then becomes weak, tired,
dizzy, and sometimes giddy. In more serious cases the victim may faint or vomit.
The skin becomes clammy and pale. To treat a person suffering from heat
exhaustion, have the person sip water while lying down. Loosen clothing and
raise the person's feet about 12 inches. If possible, get them out of the heat
into a cool environment. Apply cool wet cloths and put the person near a fan if
possible. Rest and fluid replacement usually result in recovery. Seek medical
attention if vomiting continues, since intravenous fluid replacement will be
needed. If the patient is confused, call 911.
HEAT
STROKE
Heat
stroke is a serious condition that occurs when the body's heat-regulating system
breaks down and sweating stops. The body temperature continues to rise and can
reach dangerous levels (105 degrees F) without quick medical intervention.
Initial symptoms include blurred vision, dizziness, and nausea. The most obvious
sign of heat stroke may be confusion. The person may become delirious, have
convulsions, or slip into unconsciousness. Heatstroke is considered a medical
emergency, so call 911. In the meantime, keep the person in a cool environment
and the body and clothing soaked with water, to try to reduce the body
temperature. You may give fluids if the person is awake.
DO PETS
NEED SPECIAL ATTENTION DURING HOT WEATHER?
Pets,
like humans, do require special care to avoid the dangers of heat exposure.
Schedule your dogs running or walking activities in the cooler morning and
evening hours. Always have plenty of drinking water available and douse the
animal to help keep it cool. Don't leave any animal unattended in a car for even
a short period of time. The temperature inside the car can rise very quickly to
temperatures higher than 120 degrees F, leaving the animal to suffocate.
Travel First Aid Kit
If you're going to be traveling,
particularly overseas, you should put together a traveler's first-aid kit before
you leave. The kit should be comprehensive and contain a good selection of
items. Here is a basic list of what to include:
-
Small pair of scissors
-
Tweezers or forceps
-
Thermometer
-
First-aid manual
-
Sterile dressings (in different sizes)
-
Gauze bandages
-
An elastic bandage (can have Velcro ends)
-
Triangular bandage and safety pins
-
Adhesive tape
-
Cotton swabs
-
Band-Aids (a variety of sizes)
-
Antibacterial ointment
-
Antifungal cream
-
Antiseptic solution
-
Hydrocortisone cream (1 percent)
-
Antibiotic cream or ointment
-
Water-purifying tablets
-
Imodium (or other diarrhea medicine)
-
Pain reliever
-
Antacid
-
Antihistamine
-
Disposable gloves
-
Calamine lotion (or similar product for bug
bites)
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