First Aid

Appendicitis

Symptoms

• Pain in right lower abdomen.
• Nausea, possibly vomiting.
• Low fever.
• Constipation.

First aid

• Call doctor immediately.
• While diagnosis is uncertain, don’t give anything to eat or drink.
• Don’t use laxatives or pain medications.

Burns (Minor)

Symptoms

• Redness, pain and swelling.
• Moist, oozing blistered skin appearing within several hours.

First aid

• Remove clothing if not stuck.
• Flush in cold water or apply cold cloths.
• Don’t use butter or ointment.
• Cover burn with sterile bandage.

Chest pains

Symptoms

• Chest pain or heaviness, often radiating to left arm.
• Difficult breathing.
• Sweating.

First aid

• Get someone to call for help.
• If not breathing, rescue breathing.
• If no circulation, begin chest compressions if trained or being guided in CPR.

Choking

Symptoms

• Inability to breathe, cough or speak.
• Grasping neck.
• Bluish lips, nails or skin.

First aid

Ask: Are you choking?

• If victim can’t breathe, cough or speak, begin Heimlich maneuver.

Convulsions

Symptoms

• Unconsciousness.
• Body stiffness followed by uncontrolled jerking body movements.

First aid

• Catch falling victim.
• Clear space.
• Don’t put anything in mouth or try to stop jerking.
• Loosen tight clothing.

Croup

Symptoms

• In young child: barking, croaking cough.
• Difficult breathing.
• Bluish face.

First aid

• Call doctor if 1st attack, if breathing is labored or lips/fingers are blue.
• Have child breathe moist air in steamy bathroom.

Cuts and Bruises

Symptoms

• Cuts: Injuries to skin with bleeding and pain.
• Bruises: Redness on impact, then black and blue.

First aid

• Cuts: Stop bleeding with direct pressure; clean with soap water; cover with sterile bandage.
• Bruises: Apply cold packs; elevate limb.

Dog Bite

Symptoms

• Deep, bleeding, painful wound.
• Major danger is rabies, which can be fatal.

First aid

• Stop bleeding by direct pressure.
• Wash with soap water.
• Capture animal; notify animal control to check for rabies.
• Call doctor.

Drowning

Symptoms

• Unconsciousness.
• Not breathing, possibly no heartbeat.
• Cold exposure.
• Shock.

First aid

• If not breathing, begin rescue breathing.
• Call for help.
• If no circulation, begin chest compressions if trained or being guided in CPR.
• Elevate feet, keep warm.

Earache

Symptoms

• Pain, discharge from ear.
• Possible fever.
• Hearing loss.
• In baby: pulling ear.

First aid

• Keep ear dry during bathing.
• See doctor immediately for diagnosis.
• Report fever and/or discharge.

Electric Shock

Symptoms

• Unconsciousness, breathing difficulty and heart damage.
• Burns at contact points.
• Muscle spasms.

First aid

• Disconnect electric source.
• If not breathing, begin rescue breathing.
• If no circulation, begin chest compressions if trained in CPR or an emergency dispatcher is guiding.

Eye-Object In

Symptoms

• Watery, irritated, painful eye.
• Reluctance to open eye.
• Foreign object visible.

First aid

• Let eye tear, don’t rub.
• If loose, object may dislodge itself, or dab eye gently with a clean cloth.
• If embedded, cover both eyes and get help.

Fainting

Symptoms

• Temporary unconsciousness.
• Sometimes blurred vision, nausea, paleness, sweating.

First aid

• Lay on back, elevate feet or bend over with head at knee level.
• If unresponsive, call doctor.
• Give rescue breathing only if person has stopped breathing.

Fever

Symptoms

• Body temperature of 100 degree F measured orally or 101 degree F measured rectally.

First aid

• Increase fluid intake.
• Sponge with warm water and give acetaminophen.
• Call doctor if temperature over 102 degree F (orally) or persists.

Fractures & Dislocations

Symptoms

• Severe pain, swelling or bruising.
• Loss of motion.
• Protruding bone or deformity.

First aid

• Don’t move if unconscious or if back/neck injuries suspected.
• Treat breathing/ bleeding/ shock first.
• Immobilize injury before moving.
• Call doctor.

Frostbite

Symptoms

• Area (usually extremities) becomes red, then gray, then white.
• Numbness.

First aid

• Don’t rub.
• Slowly warm by immersing in tepid (not hot) water.
• Give warm drinks and wrap in blankets.
• When rewarmed, call doctor.

Head injury

Symptoms

• Unconscious.
• Vomiting, pale, & headache.
• Sleepy, pupils uneven & dazed.

First aid

• Treat any head injury as an emergency.
• Get someone to call for help.
• Stay with victim.
• Monitor closely for unconsciousness.

Insect bites & stings

Symptoms

• Pain, itching, swelling & redness.
• If allergic: Difficulty with breathing, swallowing.

First aid

• Scrape off stinger with fingernail, don’t squeeze.
• Wash with soap/water.
• Apply cold compress, then apply calamine lotion.
• Get help immediately if allergic.

Nosebleed

Symptoms

• Blood coming from nostrils after blowing, sneezing, picking, illness or injury.

First aid

• Keep head forward.
• Squeeze nose closed.
• If bleeding does not stop, apply cold compress and reapply pressure.
• If bleeding continues, call doctor.

Poisoning

Symptoms

• Vomiting or diarrhea.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Sweating.
• Convulsions.
• Unconsciousness.

First aid

• See doctor immediately.

Shock

Symptoms

• Pale, clammy skin, weakness.
• Fast breathing, rapid, weak pulse.
• Confusion.

First aid

• Lay on back with feet raised unless you suspect head/back injuries.
• Check for breathing/bleeding difficulties.
• Call doctor.

Stroke

Symptoms

• Headache.
• Paralysis.
• Difficulty with speech or vision.
• Unconscious.

First aid

• Check breathing and circulation.
• Begin rescue breathing and/or CPR (if trained) if necessary.
• Get someone to call doctor.

Sunburn

Symptoms

• Red, painful, swollen skin.
• Blisters if severe.
• Chills and fever.

First aid

• Apply cold compresses or bathe in cool water.
• Give acetaminophen for pain.
• Call doctor if symptoms are severe or if feverish and ill.
• Give fluids.

Toothache

Symptoms

• Sensitivity to heat, cold and sweets.
• Pain, facial swelling.

First aid

• Call dentist.
• Give aspirin or acetaminophen for pain.

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