first aid

ox of help
YOUR HEALTH
DR GITA MATHAI

Cuts, bruises, electrical shocks, insect bites, earache — everyone has faced an acute medical emergency at some time in their life, often at night when neither helpful neighbours nor transportation is easily available. Emergencies seem to have a knack of occurring only at night or during a bandh when professional help is just not available.

The first step to tackling emergencies successfully is to fabricate a first aid box and keep it in an easy-to-find place, which incidentally, should be out of the reach of children.

The box should contain:

• a pair of scissors,

• a writing pad and pen,

• a torch (that works),

• copies of medical insurance papers or cash less cards,

• contact address and phone number of hospitals where such treatment is available,

• a roll of gauze bandage,

• a roll of cotton,

• some band aid strips,

• a tube of pain relieving ointment,

• an antiseptic ointment like povidone-iodine,

• an antibiotic ointment (bacitracin, polymixcin),

• eye drops, nose drops and analgesic ear drops

• Medications such as tablets of aspirin, paracetemol (for adults and children), an antispasmodic, and anti histamines like chlorpheniramine maleate (Avil) or diphendydramine (Benedryl), and an antacid liquid.

Chest pain always causes panic — in the sufferer and in family members — with visions of sudden death. Remember, in a heart attack the pain is present for 15 minutes or longer. It radiates up the neck, down the arm, moves to the back and is associated with sweating, fainting and pallor. There is no localised area of tenderness. If your pain ticks all these boxes, get medical help urgently. Before heading to the hospital, however, taking a tablet of aspirin (325mg) may save your life like it has saved that of innumerable others.

A toothache can often start in the middle of the night. Sucking on an ice cube may help. Also, take a painkiller like aspirin or paracetamol and contact a dentist as soon as possible.

Electrical short circuits, fires and shocks are other common emergencies. Always switch off the electricity mains first. Use a non-conducting material such as a wooden spoon or plastic stick to separate the person from the live wire. Do not touch the person with your bare hands. Although the actual burn caused by an electric shock appears small, the damage can extend deep into the body. It can cause the heart to stop beating. Violent jerking can cause dislocations and fractures.

Burns and scalds are very common. If a person is on fire, roll them on the ground or wrap them in a heavy sheet to smother the fire. Hold the affected area under cold water or apply a cold compress. Placing ice directly on the burnt area is not advisable as can cause frostbite. If there is a blister, wipe it and the area around it with a solution of povidone iodine to sterilise it. Then poke it in three areas, taking care to keep the overlying skin intact. This makes the skin collapse on the blister and the area is no longer raw. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover it with a gauze bandage.

Fainting is usually harmless. First, position the person on their back. Elevate the legs above the head with cushions or anything else available. If the person is in the sitting position, place the head between the knees. People faint because of a sudden decrease in blood flowing to the brain. By elevating the legs above the head, the venous return is increased, rectifying this problem.

Anything can precipitate an allergic reaction, pollen, chemicals in the air, dust, latex from gloves or shoes, or additives and colouring agents in food. There may be itching, the throat may swell, lips may become red and swollen and there may be difficulty in breathing. Mild reactions can be treated with oral tablets of an antihistamine such as chlorpheniramine (Avil) or diphenhydramine (Bendryl). Difficulty in breathing or swelling of the throat is an emergency and the person should be rushed to hospital.

If an insect has entered the ear, place the ear against a bright light. The insect may fly out. Otherwise, pour a little paraffin oil or baby oil into the ear. The insect will float up. Do not attempt to pry the insect loose with an ear bud as you may damage the ear.

A blocked nose may not be an emergency but it is very uncomfortable. Tilt the head back, put a couple of drops of a nasal drop into each nostril and then take a steam inhalation. This will clear up both an allergic block or one due to a cold. If there is a foreign body in the nose, try to blow it out gently while closing the opposite nostril. Do not suck in air as it will move the object upwards.

You can usually stop a nose bleed by using decongestant nose drops and then pinching the nostrils together. Frequent nosebleeds require evaluation.

Injury around the eye causes discolouration — a “black eye”. This is usually not serious. It will subside spontaneously with a cold compress. Bilateral black eyes may be due to head injury and is a dangerous sign. A foreign body in the eye can cause damage to the cornea. Immediately wash the eye with running water and apply antibiotic eye drops.

Learning basic first aid will bring peace of mind and, maybe, even help you save a life.

Dr Gita Mathai is a paediatrician with a family practice at Vellore. Questions on health issues may be emailed to her at yourhealthgm@yahoo.co.in