Summer First-Aid and Safety Tips

Summer First-Aid and Safety Tips
Source: Healthcareserve.com Article

Well, summer is upon us! It’s a great time to go outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather this season of the year brings.

However, when we go outside we need to be prepared. We need to practice good summer safety and know what to do if we get hurt. In a first-aid situation, if you see any reason for concern, call a doctor immediately. A doctor is the only person who can diagnose the situation and treat it properly.

Here are just a few summer first-aid and safety tips that you may find helpful.

Wasp And Bee Stings

One of the most important things to if you get a "sting" is to remove the stinger from your skin. Stingers can keep pumping damaging venom into your wound even if the stinger has been separated from the bug’s body.

If you try to remove the stinger, be very careful. Do not use your fingers or tweezers for this. Rather use a dull straight edge to gently scrape the stinger away from the skin. Call a doctor for help immediately if you have any concerns in removing the stinger. Then wash the site with soap and water. A cool compress can help the swelling.

If there is an allergic reaction, weakness, difficulty breathing, seizure, excessive swelling or any other sign of concern, please see a doctor immediately. A doctor is the only person who can treat this situation properly.

Bug Bites

When someone receives a bug bite, it is often hard to know what type of bug it came from. Only physicians and medical experts will be able to properly diagnose and treat optimally treat the bite. It is important to see a doctor if there are any concerns at all with a bite.

However there are a few tips that can help in urgent treatment situations. First when you receive a bit, try not to scratch. Scratching may cause the irritation to spread or it may lead to infection. In many cases washing the area with tepid water and soap may help generally cleanse the bite.

If you have a tick burrowed into your skin, DO Not try to bur the end of the tick with a match. This may simply cause the tick to go deeper. Rather try to carefully remove the tick with a pair of tweezers, or finger covered by a cloth. After removing, gently scrape away all remaining bug parts. Wash the area with soap and water then swab with rubbing alcohol.

With a tick bite, watch for signs of infection. Seven to 10 days after the bite, a circular "bulls-eye" rash around the bite may indicate Lyme disease. Only a doctor will be able to properly diagnose and treat this condition. Other signs of this disease may include joint and muscle aches, weakness, fever or sore throat. Rocky Mountain Spotted fever may begin with fever, headache, stiff neck and a purplish or red blotchy rash. After a tick bite, please see your doctor right away to avoid or treat these possible health conditions.

Bruises

Apply an ice pack to the area right away. Leave the pack on for about 10 minutes. Then take the pack off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process for about an hour. This will help to reduce pain and swelling.

Sunburns

Treat the sunburned area with a wet cool compress. Consider taking a tepid bath to lessen inflammation or redness. Aspirin may also help relive the pain and reduce some inflammation. Aloe gel can also help soothe the sunburned area. Also sip fluids if possible to re-hydarate your body.

If blisters form, DO NOT break them, rather see you doctor right away. If you have any reason for concern please contact a doctor. A doctor the only person who properly diagnose or treat serious sunburn or any related conditions.

Heat Exhaustion or Heatstroke

Heat exhaustion may be indicated by signs such as profuse sweating, paleness, clammy skin, weak or rapid pulse queasy stomach, headache confusion or dizziness. The signs of a heatstroke may similar but more in some cases more severe. Heatstroke signs can also additionally include more intense diarrhea or nausea, and skin that may be hot, dry, cool or free from perspiration.

For both of these conditions it is important to get the individual effected out of the sun. Sponging or bathing the skin with cool water and then fanning rapidly may help speed cooling. A cool bath may also be beneficial.

For heatstroke victims, placing cool icepacks under the armpits may also accelerate cooling. Do not victims cold fluids, but rather cool or tepid fluids.

For either condition it is advisable contact a doctor or emergency personnel as soon as possible. A physician is the only person who will be able diagnose a heat stroke, heat exhaustion or an entirely different health condition. Do not attempt to diagnose or treat this or any other health condition yourself, without immediate advice from a doctor.

Cuts

For minor cuts, apply pressure with a dry, clean cloth to control bleeding. Then using mild soap and tepid water clean the wound and remove debris. Apply antibiotic to the area and wrap with a sterile dressing or gauze.

If the cut is deep, over one inch long or caused by metal see a doctor for treatment. Puncture wounds should also always be treated by a physician. A doctor will be able to properly diagnose whether a tetanus shot, stitches or other treatment options are needed.

Splinters

If you get a splinter use tweezers or your fingernails to pull it out of the skin. Pulling the splinter out in the same direction it went in, is the best method of extracting the object. After removing the splinter, wash the area with soap and water. Cover with antibiotic cream and a sterile bandage.

If the area around the splinter becomes infected see a physician. If the splinter is deep in the skin a doctor to remove it. If the splinter was made of metal, see a doctor right away to see if you need addition treatment such as a tetanus shot. Remember, calling a doctor should be one of the first steps in dealing with any serious injury.

Poison Oak or Ivy

A rash form either of these conditions may not show up for 10 or more days after exposure to the plant. The rash may last 3 weeks. An over the counter antihistamine may help control the itch. Calamine lotion may also help soothe irritated skin. IF the rash becomes sever or starts to spread at all see a doctor. Only your doctor can properly diagnose poison oak or ivy rashes. If you have any concern at all about a rash, please see a doctor right away.

Fractures

The first step in a fracture is to keep the limb immobile. You can do this by placing the limb in a sling or splint. If the bone has broken through the skin, DO NOT attempt to push it back in, and DO NOT attempt to splint the limb. Instead cover the are with a clean moist cloth. In all cases you next step should be to immediately to seek emergency care. Only a doctor or a trained emergency professional will be able to properly treat this situation.

Sprains

One of the first things to determine is if you have a sprain or a fracture. If the limb cannot bear any weight, you may have a fracture and should take the steps mentioned in the paragraph above. The only sure way that you will be able to know is to seek emergency help immediately. A doctor is the only person who can properly diagnose and treat this on any other health condition.

Treatment for a sprain often include resting the area for one to two days. Applying icepacks for 10 to 15 minutes four time daily for the first couple of days is often an effective treatment. Wrapping the area gently in a elastic bandage (taking care the you DO NOT wrap too tight) also may provide the area needed support. The area can also be elevated for the first day. If there is persisting pain longer than three days or swelling increase seek a physician’s care immediately.

It is important to note that if you have any questions about your condition, you must seek a doctor’s advice immediately. Only a doctor will be able to diagnose and treat this or any other health condition.

Swimmer’s Ear

This health condition may be identified by a milky white or yellowish-green discharge from the ear. Discomfort, fever and swollen glands may signal infection from the water trapped in the ear. For this condition, see a doctor right away. Only a doctor will be able to properly determine if this is "swimmers ear" or another related health condition. Only a physician can treat this condition properly.

Remember, wherever you go and whatever you do this summer, try to do it safely. Also, remember to see your doctor if you any first-aid related concerns. It is important to ensure good safety habits for both yourself and your family. So have fun under the sun this summer, and stay safe!


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