# Anaphylaxis
## Overview
A life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can cause shock, a sudden drop in blood pressure and trouble breathing. In people who have an allergy, anaphylaxis can happen minutes after exposure to a specific allergy-causing substance, called an allergen. Sometimes, there may be a delayed reaction, or anaphylaxis may happen without an obvious trigger.
Some common anaphylaxis triggers include:
1. Medicines.
2. Latex.
3. Foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.
4. Insect stings from bees, yellow jackets, wasps, hornets and fire ants.
## Symptoms
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
1. Skin reactions, including hives, itching, and skin that becomes flushed or changes color.
2. Swelling of the face, eyes, lips or throat.
3. Narrowing of the airways, leading to wheezing and trouble breathing or swallowing.
4. A weak and rapid pulse.
5. Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
6. Dizziness, fainting or unconsciousness.
## Treatment
Do the following:
1. Ask if the person is carrying an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others) to treat an allergic attack.
2. If the person needs to use an autoinjector, ask whether you should help inject the medicine. This most often is done by pressing the autoinjector against the person's thigh.
3. Have the person lie face up and be still.
4. Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket.
5. If there's vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn the person to the side to prevent choking.
6. If there are no signs of breathing, coughing or movement, begin CPR. Keep doing about 100 chest presses every minute until paramedics arrive.
7. An antihistamine pill, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), isn't enough to treat anaphylaxis. These medicines can help relieve allergy symptoms, but they work too slowly in a severe reaction.
## What to avoid
Don't give a person who has anaphylaxis anything to drink.
# Animal bites
## Overview
Animal bites might be caused by pets — such as cats, dogs, hamsters and turtles. Or bites may be from farm animals or wild animals. The type of care needed depends on how deep the bite is and the type of animal that caused it.
You may need medicine to fight infection. Or you may need a tetanus shot or rabies shots. Wild animals that may carry rabies are coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks, bats and others. Outdoor pets may carry rabies if they are sick, unvaccinated, stray and living in areas where rabies occur in pets.
## Treatment
To care for a minor animal bite or claw wound, such as one that only breaks the skin, take these steps:
1. Wash the wound with soap and water.
2. Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment and cover the bite with a clean bandage.
# Black eye
## Overview
A black eye is bruising caused by bleeding in the tiny blood vessels in the skin surrounding the eye. Most injuries that cause a black eye aren't serious. But a black eye could be a symptom of a more serious injury, such as an internal injury to the eye or a fracture of the thin bones around the eye. You may have a skull fracture if you have double vision, bruising around both eyes or bleeding from the nose.
## Treatment
To take care of a black eye:
1. Apply a cold compress soon after the injury. Using gentle pressure, place a cold pack, a cloth filled with ice — or even a bag of frozen vegetables — to the area around your eye. Take care not to press on the eye itself. Apply cold as soon as possible after the injury to reduce swelling. Repeat several times a day for a day or two.
2. Apply warm or hot compresses. This may be helpful after a few days when the swelling has gone down. Repeat several times a day for a day or two.
# Blisters
## Overview
A blister is raised skin filled with clear fluid. Pressure, heat, moisture, friction or burns can cause a blister to form on the skin. For example, a blister may form on your heel when it rubs against the inside of a shoe. Or a blister may form on your thumb after you hold a kayak paddle.
Blisters are usually minor injuries that you can treat yourself.
## Treatment
If a blister isn't too painful, try to keep it from breaking open. Unbroken skin over a blister may provide a natural barrier to bacteria, and it decreases the risk of infection. Cover the blister with a bandage or moleskin. Moleskin is a durable fabric that can help protect blisters in high-friction areas.
Cut a piece of moleskin about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) larger than your blister. Fold the nonsticky sides together and cut a half-circle that's about the size of your blister. When you unfold the moleskin, you have a hole in the middle that's about the size of your blister. Apply the moleskin over the blister, aligning your blister with the hole you made. Then cover the blister and moleskin with gauze.
To relieve blister-related pain, drain the fluid while leaving the skin above the blister in place. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, or tend to get infections, take extra care to prevent infection.
How to drain a blister and help prevent infection:
1. Wash your hands and the blister with soap and water.
2. Apply an antiseptic to the blister.
3. Clean a sharp needle with an antiseptic wipe or rubbing alcohol.
4. Use the needle to prick the blister in several spots near the edge. Let the fluid drain but leave the skin above the blister in place.
5. Apply an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to the blister and cover it with a nonstick bandage or gauze pad.
6. After several days, cut away the dead skin. Use tweezers and scissors that you sterilize with an antiseptic wipe or rubbing alcohol. Apply more ointment and a bandage.
7. Check the area every day for infection.
## Prevention
These tips can help prevent blisters:
1. Wear shoes that fit well. Try the various shoes and insoles that are designed to help reduce blistering.
2. Choose socks made with moisture-wicking fabric. Avoid cotton socks. Dust the inside of your socks with foot powder.
3. Before your activity, tape spots that tend to get blisters. Athletic tape and duct tape work well for this.
4. Place moleskin or gel-filled blister bandages inside your shoes for extra padding.
5. Select gloves suited for your activity.
7. If you develop a hot spot, that's a sign that a blister is forming. Treat it right away by applying tape, a blister bandage or moleskin.
8. Change into dry socks as needed, as moisture increases the risk of blisters forming.
# Cuts and scrapes
## Overview
Minor cuts and scrapes can often be treated at home. You may need to seek medical care if you notice the injury becomes infected.
## Treatment
These guidelines can help you care for minor cuts and scrapes:
1. Wash your hands. This helps avoid infection.
2. Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If needed, gently press the wound with a clean bandage or cloth. Raise the area until the bleeding stops.
3. Clean the wound. Rinse the wound with water. Keeping the wound under running water will lower the risk of infection. Wash around the wound with soap. But don't get soap in the wound. And don't use hydrogen peroxide or iodine. Both can irritate wounds. Remove any dirt or debris with tweezers cleaned with alcohol. See a healthcare professional if you can't remove all debris.
4. Put on an antibiotic or petroleum jelly. Put on a thin layer of an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to keep the surface moist and help prevent scarring. Ingredients in some antibiotic ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If you get a rash, stop using the ointment.
5. Cover the wound. Put on a bandage, rolled gauze or gauze held in place with paper tape. Covering the wound keeps it clean. If you have just a minor scrape or scratch, don't cover it.
6. Change the covering. Do this at least once a day or whenever the covering becomes wet or dirty.
# Dislocation
## Overview
A dislocation is an injury that forces the bones in a joint out of position. The cause is usually a fall, a car accident or an injury during contact sports.
Dislocation mostly involves the body's larger joints. The most common site of injury is the shoulder. For young children, the elbow is a common site. Smaller joints, such as the thumbs and fingers, also can be dislocated if bent the wrong way with force.
## Symptoms
The injury will deform the joint and make it hard to move. Dislocation might cause sudden and severe pain and swelling. A dislocation needs prompt medical attention to put the bones back in place.
## Treatment
If you believe you have dislocated a joint:
1. Don't put off medical care. Get medical help as soon as you can.
2. Don't move the joint. Until you get help, use a splint to keep the affected joint from moving. Don't try to move a dislocated joint or force it back into place. This can damage the joint and the muscles, ligaments, nerves or blood vessels around it.
3. Put ice on the injured joint. This can help reduce swelling. Ice can control bleeding inside the body and keep fluids from building up in and around the injured joint.
# Electrical burns
## Overview
Electrical burns may be caused by a number of sources of electricity. Examples include lightning, stun guns, and contact with job site or household current.
## Treatment
Treat minor electrical skin burns like any other minor burn.
1. Put a cool, wet cloth on the area.
2. Gently clean the skin.
3. Put a bandage on the area.
For serious burns, take these actions right away while waiting for medical help:
1. Turn off the source of electricity if possible. If not, move the source away from both you and the injured person. Use a dry, nonconducting object made of cardboard, plastic or wood.
2. Begin CPR if the person is not breathing, coughing or moving and doesn't have a pulse.
3. Cover any burned areas with a sterile gauze bandage, if available, or a clean cloth or sheet.
4. Try to prevent the injured person from getting chilled.
## What to avoid
For the person with a serious burn:
1. Don't remove clothing or try to clean the burned area.
2. Don't move the person unless the person is in immediate danger.
3. Don't use a blanket or towel to cover the person because loose fibers can stick to the burn.
For you:
1. Don't get near high-voltage wires until the power is turned off. Overhead power lines usually aren't insulated. Stay at least 50 feet (about 15 meters) away — farther if wires are jumping and sparking.
2. Don't drive over downed power lines. If a live electrical line contacts the vehicle you're in, stay in the vehicle.
# Fever
## Overview
A fever is a rise in body temperature. It's often a sign of infection. Fever itself most often is harmless and it may play a role in fighting infection. Most fevers don't need treatment.
The average body temperature is 98.6 Fahrenheit (37 Celsius). But typical body temperature can range between 97 F (36.1 C) and 99 F (37.2 C) or more. Your body temperature can vary by how active you are, your age or the time of day. Most often, older people have lower body temperatures than younger people have.
These thermometer readings are thought to be a fever:
1. Rectal, ear or temporal artery temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher.
2. Oral temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher.
3. Armpit temperature of 99 F (37.2 C) or higher.
## Treatment
The main goal of treatment is to improve comfort and help you or your child rest.
### Infant and child
Children with fevers may not look or act sick. Treating a fever depends on how uncomfortable they are. If your child is uncomfortable or restless, these home care strategies may help:
1. Have your child drink fluids.
2. Dress your child in light clothing.
3. Use a light blanket if your child feels chilled, until the chills end.
4. If your child is 6 months old or older, give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). Read the label carefully for proper dosing. If your child has other health problems or takes medicine for them, check with your healthcare professional before using fever medicines.
### Adult
Adults with fevers of 103 F (39.4 C) or higher will most often look and act sick. To treat a fever:
1. Drink plenty of fluids.
2. Dress in light clothing.
3. Use a light blanket if you feel chilled, until the chills end.
4. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others). Follow the directions on the label. If you have other health problems or take medicine for them, check with your healthcare professional before using fever medicines.
## What to avoid
1. Don't give aspirin to children or teenagers.
2. Don't give an infant any type of pain reliever until after you've talked with a healthcare professional.
## How to take a temperature
Always use a digital thermometer to check someone's temperature. Types you can get include:
1. Rectal thermometers for use in the rectum.
2. Oral thermometers for use in the mouth.
3. Temporal artery thermometers. These use an infrared scanner to measure the temperature of the temporal artery in the forehead.
4. Armpit, called axillary, and ear, called tympanic membrane thermometers. These are less accurate.
Because of the dangers of being exposed to mercury, don't use a glass mercury thermometer.
No matter which type of thermometer you use, do the following when using it:
1. Read the instructions that came with the thermometer.
2. Clean the thermometer before and after each use with rubbing alcohol or soap and lukewarm water.
3. Don't use the same thermometer for both oral and rectal temperatures. Get two and label which is used where.
4. Never leave children alone while taking their temperature.
# Head trauma
## Overview
A head injury, also known as head trauma, can occur from a car crash, a fall from a ladder, a collision while playing a contact sport or another accident. Some head injuries need emergency care while others can be seen by a healthcare professional during a scheduled visit.
## Treatment
Follow these first-aid steps while waiting for emergency medical help to arrive:
1. Keep the person still. The injured person should lie down with the head and shoulders slightly elevated. Don't move the person unless necessary. Avoid moving the person's neck. If the person is wearing a helmet, don't remove it.
2. Stop any bleeding. Apply firm pressure to the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. But don't apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect a skull fracture.
3. Watch for changes in breathing and alertness. If the person shows no signs of circulation — no breathing, coughing or movement — begin CPR.
Someone with head trauma can be driven to the emergency department if the person can walk and is alert but has:
1. Black-and-blue marks below the eyes or behind the ears.
2. Confusion.
# Heart attack
## Overview
A heart attack is heart damage caused by reduced or blocked blood flow to the heart muscle. Another name for the condition is myocardial infarction. A heart attack is a medical emergency. First aid for a heart attack includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).. It can help save a person's life.
## Symptoms
Symptoms of a heart attack may include:
1. Chest pain that may feel like pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing or aching.
2. Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or sometimes the upper belly.
3. Cold sweats.
4. Fatigue.
5. Heartburn or indigestion.
6. Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness.
7. Nausea.
8. Shortness of breath.
A heart attack usually causes chest pain that lasts more than 15 minutes. The chest pain may be mild or severe. Some people don't have any chest pain or pressure. Symptoms may be less obvious in some people, especially for women. For example, heart attack symptoms may include nausea or a brief or sharp pain felt in the neck, arm or back.
Some heart attacks happen suddenly. But many people have warning signs hours or days in advance.
## Treatment
1. Take aspirin, if recommended. Aspirin helps prevent blood clotting. Taking aspirin during a heart attack may reduce heart damage. Don't take an aspirin unless a healthcare professional says to do so.
2. Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed. If you think you're having a heart attack and you have a prescription for this medicine, take it as directed while waiting for emergency medical help.
3. Start CPR if the person doesn't have a pulse or isn't breathing. If you're untrained in CPR, do hands-only CPR. That means push hard and fast on the person's chest. Do this about 100 to 120 times a minute. If you're trained in CPR and confident in your ability, start with 30 chest compressions before giving two rescue breaths.
4. Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available and the person is unconscious. The device delivers shocks to reset the heart rhythm. AEDs come with step-by-step voice instructions for their use. They're programmed to allow a shock only when appropriate.
## Prevention
Lifestyle changes can keep the heart healthy and may help prevent a heart attack.
1. Don't smoke or use tobacco.
2. Get regular exercise.
3. Keep a healthy weight.
4. Eat nutritious foods and use less salt and saturated fats.
5. Limit alcohol.
6. Manage stress.
7. Control blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.
8. Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily.
Also it's a good idea to learn CPR and how to use an AED so you can help someone who's having a heart attack. Ask your healthcare team if any accredited first-aid training courses are available in your area.
# Motion sickness
Any type of transportation can cause motion sickness. It can strike suddenly, progressing from a feeling of uneasiness to a cold sweat, dizziness and vomiting. It usually quiets down as soon as the motion stops. The more you travel, the more easily you'll adjust to being in motion.
You might avoid motion sickness by planning ahead. When traveling, avoid sitting in the rear of the vehicle or in seats that face backward. Pick seats where you'll feel motion least:
1. By ship, request a cabin in the front or middle of the ship near the water level.
2. By plane, ask for a seat over the front edge of a wing. Once aboard, direct the air vent flow to your face.
3. By train, take a forward-facing seat near the front and next to a window.
4. By automobile, drive or sit in the front passenger's seat. Children should be in age-appropriate seats and restraints.
If you're susceptible to motion sickness:
1. Focus on the horizon or on a distant, stationary object. Don't read or use electronic devices while traveling.
2. Keep your head still, while resting against a seat back.
3. Don't smoke and don't sit near smokers.
4. Avoid strong odors, spicy and greasy foods, and alcohol.
5. Take an antihistamine, which you can buy without a prescription. Medicines include dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Driminate, others) and meclizine (Dramamine Less Drowsy, Travel-Ease, others). Dimenhydrinate is safe for children older than age 2. Take these medicines at least 30 to 60 minutes before you travel. Expect drowsiness as a side effect.
6. Consider scopolamine, available in a prescription adhesive patch called Transderm Scop. Several hours before you plan to travel, apply the patch behind your ear for 72-hour protection. Talk to your health care provider before using the medicine if you have health problems such as glaucoma or urine retention.
7. Try ginger. A ginger supplement combined with ginger snaps, ginger ale or candied ginger might help curb nausea.
8. Eat lightly. Some people find that nibbling on plain crackers and sipping cold water or a carbonated drink without caffeine help.
# Gastroenteritis
## Overview
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines that can cause watery diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Gastroenteritis is often called the "stomach flu." Common causes are:
1. Viruses.
2. Food or water contaminated by bacteria or parasites.
3. Side effect from medicines.
## Symptoms
1. Nausea and vomiting.
2. Diarrhea.
3. Belly cramps.
4. Low-grade fever (sometimes).
## Treatment
### Adult
1. Sip liquids. Sip a sports drink or water to prevent dehydration. Drinking fluids too quickly can make nausea and vomiting worse. Take small sips often over a couple of hours, instead of drinking a large amount at once.
2. Take note of urination. You should be urinating at regular intervals, and your urine should be light and clear. Infrequent passage of dark urine is a sign of dehydration. Dizziness and lightheadedness also are symptoms of dehydration. If any of these symptoms occur and you can't drink enough fluids, seek medical attention.
3. Ease back into eating. Try to eat small amounts of food frequently if you experience nausea. Otherwise, slowly begin to eat bland, easy-to-digest foods, such as soda crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas, applesauce, rice and chicken. Stop eating if your nausea returns. Avoid milk and dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty or highly seasoned foods for a few days.
4. Get plenty of rest. The illness and dehydration can make you weak and tired.
### Child
1. Encourage your child to rest.
2. Offer fluids. When your child's vomiting stops, begin to offer small amounts of an oral rehydration solution (Ceralyte, Enfalyte, Pedialyte). Don't use only water or only apple juice. Drinking fluids too quickly can worsen the nausea and vomiting, so try to give small frequent sips over a couple of hours, instead of drinking a large amount at once. Try using a water dropper of rehydration solution instead of a bottle or cup.
3. Introduce bland foods. Gradually introduce bland, easy-to-digest foods, such as toast, rice, bananas and potatoes. Avoid giving your child full-fat dairy products, such as whole milk and ice cream, and sugary foods, such as sodas and candy. These can make diarrhea worse.
4. Breastfeed or bottle-feed. If you're breastfeeding, let your baby nurse. If your baby is bottle-fed, offer a small amount of an oral rehydration solution or regular formula.
# Headache
## Overview
Most headaches are minor, and you can treat them with a pain reliever. Some headaches, however, signal a dangerous or serious medical condition. Don't ignore headaches that aren't explained or headaches that steadily worsen.
## Treatment
While you wait for medical attention, taking these steps may help your headache:
1. Take a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
2. Drink fluids.
3. Drink a beverage with caffeine, such as coffee, tea or soda.
4. Try to avoid bright light if it makes your headache worse.
# Burns
## Overview
Most minor burns are superficial and can be treated at home. However, some burns can be deep or cover large areas, signaling a serious medical emergency. Do not ignore burns that cause deep tissue damage, involve the face or hands, or show signs of infection.
## Treatment
While you wait for medical attention or for self-care, taking these steps may help your burn:
1. **Cool the burn.** Run cool (not cold) tap water over the area for about 10 to 20 minutes. Avoid using ice, as it can further damage the tissue.
2. **Remove tight items.** Gently take off rings, bracelets, or other tight items before the burned area begins to swell.
3. **Don't break blisters.** Fluid-filled blisters protect the area against infection. If a blister breaks, clean the area with mild soap and water.
4. **Apply lotion.** Once the burn is completely cooled, apply a moisturizer, aloe vera gel, or burn ointment to provide relief and prevent drying.
5. **Bandage the burn.** Cover the area loosely with a sterile gauze bandage to keep air off the site and protect the skin.
6. **Take a pain reliever**, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).