Splinters / Foreign Objects in the Body

You can usually safely remove a small foreign object ,such as a wood splinter, thorn, fiberglass or glass that's just under the surface of the skin: • Wash your hands and clean the area well with soap and water. • Use tweezers cleaned with rubbing alcohol to remove the object. A magnifying glass may help you see better. • If the object is under the surface of the skin, sterilize a clean, sharp needle by wiping it with rubbing alcohol. Use the needle to gently lift or break the skin over the object. Lift the tip of the object out and grasp it with your tweezers. • Squeeze the wound gently to allow bleeding to wash out germs. • Wash the area again and pat dry. Apply an antibiotic ointment.

Lacerations (Cuts) * Wash your hands. This helps avoid infection. Also put on disposable protective gloves if they're available. Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If not, apply gentle pressure with a sterile bandage or clean cloth and elevate the wound. * Clean the wound. Use clear water to rinse the wound. Keep soap out of the wound, as it can cause irritation. If dirt or debris remains in the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. * Apply an antibiotic. Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment to help keep the surface moist. These products don't make the wound heal faster. But they can discourage infection and help the body's natural healing process. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment. * Cover the wound. Bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. If the injury is just a minor scrape, or scratch, leave it uncovered.

Stings To take care of an insect bite or sting that causes a mild reaction: • Move to a safe area to avoid more bites or stings. • If needed, remove the stinger. • Clean Area • Apply a cool compress. Use an ice pack . This helps reduce pain and swelling. If the injury is on an arm or leg, elevate it. • Apply a cream, gel or lotion to the injured area.Use an anti-itching cream to releve irritation on or around the sting/ bite.

Sprains

.R.I.C.E. * Rest the injured limb. Your doctor may recommend not putting any weight on the injured area for 48 hours, so you may need to use crutches. A splint or brace may also be helpful initially. But don't avoid all activity. Even with an ankle sprain, you can usually still exercise other muscles to minimize de-conditioning. For example, you can use an exercise bicycle with arm exercise handles, working both your arms and the uninjured leg while resting the injured ankle on another part of the bike. That way you still get three-limb exercise to keep up your cardiovascular conditioning. * Ice the area. Use a cold pack, a slush bath or a compression sleeve filled with cold water to help limit swelling after an injury. Try to ice the area as soon as possible after the injury and continue to ice it for 15 to 20 minutes, four to eight times a day, for the first 48 hours or until swelling improves. If you use ice, be careful not to use it too long, as this could cause tissue damage. * Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage. Compressive wraps or sleeves made from elastic or neoprene are best. * Elevate the injured limb above your heart whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling

Strains

.R.I.C.E. * Rest the injured limb. Your doctor may recommend not putting any weight on the injured area for 48 hours, so you may need to use crutches. A splint or brace may also be helpful initially. But don't avoid all activity. Even with an ankle sprain, you can usually still exercise other muscles to minimize de-conditioning. For example, you can use an exercise bicycle with arm exercise handles, working both your arms and the uninjured leg while resting the injured ankle on another part of the bike. That way you still get three-limb exercise to keep up your cardiovascular conditioning. * Ice the area. Use a cold pack, a slush bath or a compression sleeve filled with cold water to help limit swelling after an injury. Try to ice the area as soon as possible after the injury and continue to ice it for 15 to 20 minutes, four to eight times a day, for the first 48 hours or until swelling improves. If you use ice, be careful not to use it too long, as this could cause tissue damage. * Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage. Compressive wraps or sleeves made from elastic or neoprene are best. * Elevate the injured limb above your heart whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling.

Contusions (Bruises)

• Elevate the injured area. • Apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel or a cloth .Do this for about 10 minutes. Repeat several times a day for a day or two after the injury as needed. • Rest the bruised area, if possible.

Burns

For minor burns: • Cool the burn to help soothe the pain. Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water for 10 to 15 minutes or until the pain eases. Or apply a clean towel dampened with cool tap water. • Remove rings or other tight items from the burned area. Try to do this quickly and gently, before the area swells. • Don't break small blisters (no bigger than your little fingernail). If blisters break, gently clean the area , apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a nonstick gauze bandage. • Apply moisturizer , which may provide relief in some cases. • If needed, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

Abrasions (Scrapes)

• Wash your hands well. • Wash the abraded area well , but do not scrub the wound. Remove any dirt particles from the area and let the water from the faucet run over it for several minutes. A dirty abrasion that is not well cleaned can cause scarring. • Apply an antiseptic cream. • Cover the area with an adhesive bandage or gauze pad if the area is on the hands or feet, or if it is likely to drain onto clothing. Change the dressing often. • Check the area each day and keep it clean and dry. • Avoid blowing on the abrasion, as this can cause germs to grow.

Fever * Indicate fever by taking the persons temperature with a thermometer. * Encourage your child to drink fluids. • Dress person in lightweight clothing. • If the person feels chilled, use a light blanket until the chills end. • Give the person ibuprofen or (Advil, Children's Motrin, others) as directed on the label. Cough

* Sit up * Offer plenty of fluids * Never administer Cough drops (choking hazard)

Allergies * For mild allergy symptoms, such as hay fever or hives, give an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine. * For stuffy nose, give an OTC decongestant. * For itchy, watery eyes, use OTC allergy eye drops. * For itchy allergic rash, apply cold compresses and an OTC hydrocortisone cream.

Skin Problems • Avoid repeated sun exposure. • Apply cold cloth compresses or immerse the sunburned area in cool water. • Apply moisturizing lotion or cream to affected areas. Do not use salve, butter, or ointment. • If blistering occurs, lightly apply a bandage to prevent infection. • Do not break blisters. • If the discomfort warrants, use a painkiller such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Gastrointestinal Problems

• Stop eating for a few hours to let your stomach settle. • Drink plenty of liquids, such as a sports drink or water, to prevent dehydration. If you have trouble tolerating liquids, take them in frequent sips. Make sure that you're urinating normally and that your urine is light and clear — not dark. Infrequent passage of dark urine is a sign of dehydration. Dizziness and lightheadedness also are signs of dehydration. If any of these signs and symptoms occur and you can't drink enough fluids, seek medical attention. • Ease back into eating. Gradually begin to eat bland, easy-to-digest foods, such as soda crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas, rice and chicken. Stop eating if your nausea returns. Avoid milk and dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty or highly seasoned foods for a few days. • Consider acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) for relief of discomfort, unless you have liver disease. • Get plenty of rest. The illness and dehydration can make you weak and tired.