First Aid Tips

Bites and Stings

  • Inspect the site for marks and check for part of the stinger that may be still in the skin
  • Remove the stinger
  • Wash with soap and water
  • Cover with a clean cloth or gauze
  • Use ice to decrease the swelling and pain
  • Apply a sting relief gel or spray if available
Please check with you doctor if swelling, severe pain, difficulty in breathing, or disorientation occurs.

Fractures

  • Cut off any clothing covering the injured part
  • Compress with ice packs
  • Immobilize the injured part using a board like material
  • Elevate the injured part to decrease swelling and pain
  • Do not move the injured person if neck, head or back injuries are suspected
  • If the skin is broken or the fractured bone is visible, cover the wound with a clean cloth
Seek emergency help immediately.

Bruise

  • Elevate the injured area
  • Apply ice or a cold pack
  • Rest the bruised area
See your doctor if you bruise easily & frequently without an injury or a bump.

Burns

For 1st and 2nd degree burns, cool the burn by holding the burned area under cool water for 10 or 15 minutes.

  • Do not apply ice
  • Cover the burn with a sterile wet dressing
  • Don't use fluffy cotton, or other material that may stick to the wound
  • Wrap the dressing loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin
  • Take pain killers as needed
  • Do not apply butter, coffee grounds or toothpaste to the burn
  • Don’t break blisters

For 3rd degree burns, seek medical help immediately.

Cuts

  • Apply continuous pressure on the wound with a clean gauze for about 20 minutes to stop bleeding
  • Keep the injured part elevated
  • Clean the wound with soap and water
  • Apply an antibiotic cream
  • Cover the wound with a clean gauze and secure it with an adhesive tape
  • Change the dressing at least once daily and when it becomes wet or dirty
  • Suturing and tetanus booster may be needed in case of deep cuts

Fainting

  • Position the person on his / her back
  • Lift the legs above heart level about 30 centimeters (12 inches)
  • Loosen constrictive clothing
  • Advise the person to get up gradually, by sitting first and taking a few deep breaths
If the person doesn’t regain consciousness within 1 minute, call for medical help.

Nosebleed

  • Sit the person in an upright position with the head tilted forward
  • The child should not bend back
  • Pinch the soft part of the nose for at least 10 minutes

Seek help if:

  • Bleeding continues after two efforts of nose pinching for 10 minutes
  • Nose bleed was a result of a head injury

Sprains & Strains

  • Pain, swelling and inability to move the injured part
  • Rest the injured part
  • Apply ice for 15 minutes every 2-4 hours
  • Apply an elastic bandage to provide support
  • Elevate the injured part to decrease swelling
  • Take over-the-counter pain medication

Seek medical help immediately if you notice that the pain, swelling, bruising, inability to move the part, or numbness is present or have increased.

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