Learn the First-aid Treatments for Major Health Hazards

In everyday life, we come across various health hazards which pose serious danger to the victims. Whenever such hazard occur, first thing that comes to mind is what we can easily do to resuscitate the victim. Our research is centered on 4 common health hazards and their first-aid treatments.

NOSE BLEEDING

A nosebleed, also known as epistaxis, is the common occurrence of bleeding from the nose. It is usually noticed when blood drains out through the nostrils. Sometimes in more severe cases, the blood can come up the nasolacrimal duct and out from the eye. Fresh blood and clotted blood can also flow down into the stomach and cause nausea and vomiting.

First Aid Treatment

Stop the Bleeding

Have the person sit up straight and lean forward slightly. 

Don't have the person lie down or tilt the head backward.

With thumb and index finger, firmly pinch the nose just below the bone up against the face.

Apply pressure for 5 minutes. Time yourself with a clock.

If bleeding continues after 5 minutes, repeat the process.

BURNS

A burn is a type of injury to skin, or other tissues, caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, friction, or radiation. Most burns are due to heat from hot liquids, solids, or fire.

First Aid Treatment

For All Burns

1. Stop Burning Immediately

Put out fire or stop the person's contact with hot liquid, steam, or other material.

Help the person "stop, drop, and roll" to smother flames.

Remove smoldering material from the person.

Remove hot or burned clothing. If clothing sticks to skin, cut or tear around it.

2. Remove Constrictive Clothing Immediately

Take off jewelry, belts, and tight clothing. Burns can swell quickly.

Then take the following steps:

For First-Degree Burns (Affecting Top Layer of Skin)

1. Cool Burn

Hold burned skin under cool (not cold) running water or immerse in cool water until the pain subsides. Use compresses if running water isn't available.

2. Protect Burn

Cover with sterile, non-adhesive bandage or clean cloth. Do not apply butter, oil, lotions, or creams (especially if they contain fragrance). Apply a petroleum-based ointment two to three times per day.

3. Treat pain by giving over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Panadol)

4. When to See a Doctor

You see signs of infection, like increased pain, redness, swelling, fever, or oozing. The person needs tetanus or booster shot, depending on date of last injection. Tetanus booster should be given every 10 years. The burn blister is larger than two inches or oozes. Redness and pain last more than a few hours. The pain gets worse. The hands, feet, face, or genitals are burned.

Note: Seek emergency medical help if:

The burn penetrates all layers of the skin. The skin is leathery or charred looking, with white, brown, or black patches. The person is an infant or a senior.

CHOKING

Choking is a blockage of the upper airway by food or other objects, which prevents a person from breathing effectively. Choking can cause a simple coughing fit, but complete blockage of the airway may lead to death. Choking is a true medical emergency that requires fast, appropriate action by anyone available.

A demonstration of abdominal thrust on a person showing signs of choking

First Aid Treatment

If the Person Is Conscious but Not Able to Breathe or Talk:

1. Give back blows

Give up to 5 blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

2. If Person Is Still Choking, Do thrusts

If the person is not pregnant or too obese, do abdominal thrusts (also known as the Heimlich maneuver):

Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around the waist.

Place your clenched fist just above the person’s navel. Grab your fist with your other hand.

Quickly pull inward and upward as if trying to lift the person up.

Perform a total of 5 abdominal thrusts.

If the blockage is still not dislodged, continue cycles of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the object is coughed up or the person starts to breathe or cough.

Take the object out of his mouth only if you can see it. Never do a finger sweep unless you can see the object in the person's mouth

If the person is obese or pregnant, do high abdominal thrusts:

Stand behind the person, wrap your arms them, and position your hands at the base of the breast bone.

Quickly pull inward and upward.

Repeat until the object is dislodged.

3. Give CPR, if Necessary

If the obstruction comes out, but the person is not breathing or if the person becomes unconscious:

For a child, start CPR for children.

For an adult, start CPR for adults.

4. Follow Up

When emergency medical personnel arrive, they will take over and may do CPR or take the person to the hospital, if needed.

FOOD POISONING

Food poisoning or Foodborne illness can be caused by pesticides or medicines in food and natural toxic substances such as poisonous mushrooms or reef fish.

Symptoms:

Vomiting; stomach cramps; diarrhoea; signs of a fever, with a high temperature.

First Aid Treatment

If you think someone has food poisoning, advise them to lie down and rest.

If they’re vomiting, give them small sips of water to drink as this will help prevent dehydration.

If they have accompanying diarrhoea or diarrhoea only, it is even more important to try to replace lost fluids and salts.

You can advise them to take an oral rehydration solution (ORS) as directed on the packet from your local pharmacy. This is particularly important in more vulnerable people such as the elderly, those with other health conditions, and children.

When they feel hungry again, advise them to eat light, bland, easily digested foods, such as bread, rice, crackers, or a banana. Do not drink alcohol, caffeine, or fizzy drinks.

If they get worse and the vomiting and diarrhoea is persistent, particularly in the elderly, babies, or young children, seek medical advice.

Sources: https://www.webmd.com/first-aid;

Wikipedia;

https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/poisoning/food-poisoning/