Short First Aid Training (Part 2)
13 December 2007

CUTS

Many cuts can safely treated at home. Large and deeper cuts-or any wound that wont stop bleeding need emergency medical treatment.

Vein or artery?
Bleeding from an artery flows quickly and in spurts, and the blood is bright red. Bleeding from vein flows evenly, and the blood is dark red.

What to do?
If the cuts is severe and you can’t get the child to hospital right away or must wait for an ambulance, begin this treatment:
1. Rinse the wound with water and apply pressure to the cut with sterile gauze, a bandage, or a clean cloth.
2. If blood soak trough, place another bandage over the first and continue applying pressure.
3. Raise the injured body part to slow bleeding, but don’t apply a tourniquet. When bleeding stops, cover the wound with a new, clean bandage.

For cut that are not severe, contact a doctor if the cut:
• Seems deep or the edges of the cut are widely separated.
• Is on the lip and crosses the pink border onto the face
• Continues to ooze and bleed even after applying pressure.
• Is from a bite (animal or human)

Seek emergency medical care: call emergency number if the child:
• Has a body part that is partially or fully amputated
• Has a cut and the blood is spurting out and difficulty to control
• Is bleeding so much that bandages are becoming soaked with blood.

Think prevention!
Childproof so that infants and toddlers are less likely to become injured on table corner, windows, or door that may slam shut. Take precaution to prevent falls and supervise teens when they are cutting with sharp knives.


ANIMAL BITES

Animal bites and scratches that break the skin can cause infection. Rarely, animal bites (particularly from wild animal) can cause rabies, a dangerous, life threatening disease.

Fast Fact
Bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes transmit most case of rabies.

What to do?
1. Wash the area with soap and water, and apply pressure with sterile gauze or clean cloth if the wound is bleeding. (Do not apply an antiseptic or anything else to the wound)
2. Cover the area with a bandage or sterile gauze.

Seek medical care if the child:
• Was bitten by a wild or stray animal, or any animal that hasn’t recently had rabies shots or is acting strangely.
• Was in close contact with a bat even if you don’t see a bit mark.
• Has a bite that punctured or broke the skin
• Was bitten on the face, neck or hand, foot, or near a joint.
• Has a bite or scratch that’s becoming red, hot, swollen, or increasingly painful
• Is behind on shots or hasn’t had a recent tetanus shot.

When seeking treatment, have the following information on hand:
• The kind of animal that bit the child
• The date of the animals last rabies vaccination, if known
• Any recent unusual behavior by the animal
• The animal’s location (address, if known)
• If the animal was a stray or wild one or was captured by local a local animal control service.
• The child’s immunization record.

Think prevention!
Many animal bites are preventable. Always supervise young children around animals, eve pets. Teach kids to handle pets gently and to stay away from wild or stray animals. Kids should never tease pets and never feed wild or stray animals.





ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Allergic reaction can be triggered by foods, medications, insect stings, pollen, or other substances. Although most allergic reaction aren’t serious, severe reactions can be life-threatening and can require immediate medical attention.

Signs and Symptoms:
Mild reaction
• Itchiness
• Mild skin redness
• Mild swelling
• Stuffy, runny nose
• Sneezing
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Red bumps(hives) that occur anywhere

Severe reaction
• Swelling of the face or mouth
• Difficulty swallowing or speaking
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Dizziness or fainting

What to do?
1. Contact a doctor if a child has an allergic reaction that is more than mild or the reaction concerns you.
2. If the child has symptoms of a mild reaction, give an oral antihistamine such as diphenhydramine.
3. If the child has symptoms of a severe allergic reaction and you have injectable epinephrine, immediately use it as directed and call for emergency medical help.

Seek emergency medical care if the child:
• Has any symptoms of severe allergic reaction
• Was exposed to a food or substance that has triggered a severe reaction in the past
• Was given injectable epinephrine.

Think prevention!
Avoid substances that are known to trigger an allergic reaction in the child. Keep an oral antihistamine such as diphenhydramine available. If the child has a severe allergic be sure that doctor-prescribed injectable epinephrine is kept with or near the child at all times, and that you, caretakers, and the child (if old enough) know how to use it.




POISON IVY/OAK/SUMAC

Contacts with poison ivy/oak/sumac plants can cause an allergic rash. Mild rashes can be treated at home and mostly cause discomfort from itching, burning, or blistering. Severe, widespread rashes require medical treatment.

Sign and Symptom
• An itchy or burning rash appears within 2 to 3 days as small red bumps that usually blister.
• Blisters can different sizes and may ooze clear fluid.
• The bumps and blisters may look straight lines or streaks on the child skin
• The rash may begin to look crusty as it heals.

What to do?
1. Wash skin and scrub under fingernails immediately with soap and water.
2. For itching, use calamine lotion (avoid using on he face, especially near the eyes, or on the genitals) or an oral antihistamine such as diphendydramine (avoid antihistamine containing creams or lotions which can worsen the rash and itching.
3. Cut fingernails to keep the childs from breaking the skin when scratching.
4. Place cold compress on the child’s skin as needed
5. Wash all clothing that the child has recently worn, plus any items or outdoor pets that may have come into can tact with the plants.

Call a doctor or seek medical attention if:
• The rash covers a large portion of the body, or is on the genitals or the face.
• The rash is getting worse despite home treatment
• The skin looks infected (increasing redness, warmth, pain, swelling, or pus)

Seek emergency medical care if the child:
• Has a known severe allergy to poison ivy/oak/sumac
• Develops swelling around the nose or mouth
• Complains of chest tightness or difficulty breathing
• Sounds hoarse or is having trouble speaking
• Develops redness or swelling widespread over the body
• Becomes dizzy or lightheaded
• Was given a dose of injectable epinephrine

Think prevention!
Teach children what poison ivy/oak/sumac look like, and how the plant appearances can change during different times of the year. Make sure the kids always wear long-sleeved shirts and pants whenever playing close to these plants, and wash their hand well when they come in from outside.




SEIZURES


Although seizures can be frightening, usually they last only a few minutes, stop on their own, and are almost never life threatening.

Febrile Seizures
These are seizure associated with a fever. Febrile seizures are seen in younger children, usually aren’t serious, and do not cause any lasting harm.

What to do?
If you can’t get the child to a hospital right away or must wait for an ambulance, begin this treatment:
1. Gently place the child on the floor or ground, and remove any nearby objects.
2. Loosen any clothing around the head or neck.
3. Do not try to prevent the child from shaking-this will not stop the seizures and may increase the child’s discomfort.
4. Do not put anything in the child’s mouth. The child will not swallow his or her tongue, and forcing teeth a part could cause injuries.
5. Roll the child onto his or her side, if the child vomits, keep him or her on the side and clear out the mouth with your finger.
6. Do not give the child anything to drink until he or she is fully alert.
7. Call the child’s doctor.

Seek emergency medical care if the child:
• Has seizures lasting more than 5 minutes or having repeated seizures
• Has difficulty breathing
• Turns a bluish color on the lips, tongue, or face
• Remains unconsciousness or unresponsive for more than few minutes after seizure.
• Falls or hits or her head during a seizure
• Seem to be ill
• Has any symptom that concerns you.

Think prevention!
If the child has a known seizure condition, be sure that seizure medication is taken as prescribed every day.



FROSTBITE


Exposure to extreme cold can cause frostbite, wich is a serious condition that requires emergency care.

Fast Fact:
• More serious than frost nip
• Often occurs on hands, feet, and face
• Causes an aching pain or numbness
• Causes skin to feel hard, with a white, waxy, or purplish appearance

What to do?
If you can’t get the child t hospital right a way or must wait for an ambulance, begin this treatment:
1. Bring the child in doors immediately. Do not try to thaw frostbite unless you’re in a warm place (warming and then re-exposing frozen parts to cold can cause permanent damage)
2. Remove wet clothing. Treat frozen parts gently-don’t rub them
3. Warm the frozen body parts in warm (not hot) water for a bout 30 minutes. Do not use dry heat-such as fireplace, oven, or heating pad-to thaw frostbite.
4. Make sure to warm the entire body-not just the frostbitten part. Wraps the rest of the child’s body in blankets.
5. Place clean cotton balls between frostbitten finger and toes after they’ve been rewarmed. Do not break any blisters.
6. Loosely wrap remarmed areas with clean bandages to prevent refreezing, and have the child keep as still as possible.
7. Give the child ibuprofen for pain.
8. Get medical care immediately

Think prevention!
Keep children warm and dry in cold weather, especially during winter sports. Loose-fitting, layered, warm clothes are best, and don’t forget well-insulated boots, thick sock, hats, scarves, and mittens.





DEHYDRATION



Children can become dehydrated when they lose abnormally large amounts of water and salts trough fever, failure to drink fluids during illness, diarrhea, vomiting, or long periods of exercise. Because water accounts for two-third of the body’s weight, its important to replace fluid losses as quickly as possible.

Signs of Mild to Moderate Dehydration:
• Dry mouth
• Few or no tears when crying
• Fussiness in infant
• No wet diapers in 4 to 6 hours in an infant.
• No urination for 6 to 8 hours in children
• Flat or slightly sunken soft spot in an infant

Signs of Severe Dehydration:
• Very dry mouth (looks sticky inside)
• Dry, wrinkly, or doughy skin (especially on the belly and upper arms and legs)
• Inactivity or decreased alertness
• Appears weak or limp
• Sunken eyes
• Sunken soft spot in an infant
• Excessive sleepiness or disorientation
• Muscle cramps or contractions
• No urination for no more than 6 to 8 hours in infant and more than 8 to 10 hours in children.
• Deep, rapid breathing
• Fast or weakened pulse

What to do?
Mild dehydration can often be treated at home. If the child has diarrhea but no vomiting, continue feeding a normal diet, while closely monitoring fluid intake and how often the child’s urinating.

If the child is vomiting, stop milk products and solid foods and:
• Give infant an oral electrolyte solution-about 1 tablespoon every 15-20 minutes. Breastfed infant should be fed smaller amounts, but more frequently than usual.
• Give children over 1 year old sips of clear fluids such as an electrolyte solutions, ice chips, flat ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, clear broth, ice pops, or diluted juices-1 to 2 tablespoons every 15-20 minutes.
• Monitor a child who is mildly dehydrated carefully to make sure the dehydration doesn’t become severe.

Seek emergency medical care if the child:
• Shows any sign of severe dehydration
• Is unable to keep any fluids down.

Think prevention!
Frequent hand washing is key to avoiding many of the illnesses that can lead to dehydration. Encourage kids to drink frequent, small amounts of fluids to avoid dehydration during illnesses.