Medical App & Medical Advice with Hello Doctor

How dehydration affects your brain.    

Water makes up over two-thirds of the human body. It plays an important role in lubricating the joints and eyes, as well as aiding digestion, flushing out toxins and waste and keeping skin healthy. There’s something else it does: it keeps you happy.

When your hydration levels dip, so does your mood. That’s because when the normal water content of the body is reduced, it upsets the balance of minerals, like salts and sugars, in the body, which affects the way it functions.

Dehydration happens when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn’t have enough water to carry out its normal functions. Without replacing lost fluids, dehydration can occur.

How does this affect your brain?

Extreme dehydration, which happens after days of reduced fluid intake, causes significantly reduced cognitive function, delirium unconsciousness, coma, and may ultimately lead to death.

Symptoms of dehydration

The signs and symptoms of dehydration differ between individuals and range from minor to severe.

Mild to moderate dehydration may include the following:

  • Feeling tired or sleepy
  • Decreased urine production
  • Headache
  • Dizziness

Symptoms of severe dehydration include:

  • Blood pressure drops when you try to stand up after lying down
  • Racing heart rate
  • Fever
  • Poor skin elasticity (skin slowly sinks back to its normal position when pinched)
  • Lethargy and confusion
  • Seizure
  • Shock

Prevent getting dehydrated: drink according to thirst

Severe dehydration is uncommon and usually occurs only in athletes participating in extreme events (e.g. desert marathon runs) or in other unusual circumstances.

There is no one-size-fits-all “right” amount of water to drink each day. The exact amount you need is extremely variable and depends on a person’s body size, physical activity levels, climate and what types of food they are eating. The best way to get in the right amount of fluid each day is to “drink to thirst”. Your kidneys work to perfectly balance and regulate your water requirements so that you take in and retain only as much fluid as you need. What’s more, fluid intake can also come from food – in fact, around as much as 25% of your water intake comes from what you eat, not what you drink.

Exceptions to the rule

While most people can trust their “thirst mechanism”, there are some groups who should be more conscious of how much fluid they drink:

  • Certain medications (e.g. for heart disease, ulcers or depression) can alter the thirst mechanism
  • Certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes, can alter the thirst mechanism
  • When you’re sick with a fever or experience diarrhoea and vomiting
  • Women who are pregnant and breastfeeding
  • Being in very hot, humid weather

 References:

Your first-aid kit for the beach

Unfortunately, sunscreen alone won’t protect you from injuries when you’re at the beach. Packing a first-aid kit for possible mishaps will ensure you can enjoy your day, worry-free!

Here’s how to prevent and treat common beach injuries:

Jellyfish stings

Jellyfish don’t go after people, but if you happen to come into contact with one while swimming, you’re highly likely to be stung. Unfortunately, you can even get stung by dead jellyfish laying on the beach. The good news is that in most cases, other than a red mark, itchiness, numbness or tingling, a jellyfish sting isn’t fatal.

Here’s what to do:

First-aid tips:

  • Don’t pull tentacles off unless you have gloves as they can still sting you. Use a flat surface to scrape off any tentacles (e.g. your driver’s license or bank card).
  • Don’t urinate on the sting – it could cause stingers to release more venom.
  • Rinse the sting with seawater first and then vinegar. Vinegar is often used to treat stings because the acidity in it helps neutralise the venom. Lastly, soak in warm water.

Injuries from running in the sand

It’s hard to imagine that fluffy sand could do serious damage, but the slopes of a beach could. The surface of the beach often alternates from extremely hard to soft.

The most common injuries from running in the sand include ankle sprains or knee sprains. Avoid injuries by sticking to waking on “flat sand” and avoid running on the beach unless you’re wearing supportive shoes.

First-aid tips:

  • Keep cold packs in a cooler box in case of any injuries.
  • If you sprain your ankles or a knee, wrap (or ask someone to) your ankle or knee with a bandage and apply a cold pack to reduce pain and swelling. It should be applied for 5 to 10 minutes at a time.
  • Elevate your injured limb.
  • Get home to rest as soon as possible.

Skin cuts

Cuts on your feet from broken shells, glass and even grains of sand are common if you’re at the beach. The easiest way to avoid this is to wear shoes or flip flops at all times.

First-aid tips:

  • Always keep a clean bottle of water with you to clean any cuts.
  • Use plasters and bandages to cover any cuts.
  • For deep cuts, see your doctor as you may need stitches.

Sand flea bites

Sadly, frolicking at the beach could mean sand flea bites. Sand fleas are most likely to strike at early morning or evenings near the water. Sand flea bites are often more painful and itchy than mosquito bites and could cause a rash or a fever.

First-aid tips:

  • Don’t scratch sand flea bites to prevent an infection.
  • Pack calamine lotion, ice or aloe vera gel to soothe minor bites.
  • Pain killers can help with pain but see your doctor for a severe reaction like a fever or severe allergic reaction

Sunburns

Though preventable, sunburn can be common. Prevent this by avoiding sun exposure, especially between noon and 3pm when the sun is extremely harsh.

First-aid tips:

  • Always keep sunscreen in your beach bag. Apply a minimum of 50 SPF sunscreen generously before you go outdoors, reapply throughout the day and especially after swimming. Don’t forget your ears and the back of your neck.
  • If you have sunburn, get out of the sun immediately, drink lots of water and soothe your skin with a non-greasy moisturiser. Massage it in gently.
  • For severe burns that include blistering and a fever, see your doctor immediately.
  • For children younger than one years old, any sunburns should be treated by a doctor.

References:

Avoid these exercises at the gym (and do these instead)

The best thing you can do at the gym is to do what everyone else is doing, right? Maybe not.

Turns out that some of the most popular exercises at the gym are ineffective. And worse still, they could even cause you injury!

Ditch these exercises and machines and swap them for safer workout options.

Ditch: Ab machine workouts

The promise of rock-solid abs has many gym-goers running for the ab machines. Sadly, these are mostly ineffective. The machine itself makes it awkward to activate your ab muscles properly. This means tons of work, with little to no improvement.

Try this instead: Planking

If you’re looking to build and strengthen your core, planking is your best bet. It’s safe and effective because it makes use of your entire core, tones your abdominal muscles and gives you a good leg and arm workout at the same time too.

How to do it: Start on the floor on your hands and knees. Put your hands directly under your shoulders and step your feet back, one at a time. For stability, bring your feet wider than hip distance apart and bring them closer if you want a challenge. Keep a straight line from your heels to the top of your head, while keeping your eyes on the floor. Tighten your abs, quads, glutes and hold throughout. Start with three sets of 15-30 seconds.

Ditch: Crunches

If you’re dreaming of a flat stomach, endless crunches will not get you there. In fact, overdoing these puts you at risk of a back injury. The truth is, crunches exert strain on your back while barely working your abs.

Try this instead: Burpee push-ups

Burpees are an ultimate full-body workout and makes a great swap for crunches. They strengthen your abs and revs up your entire core. Best of all, they are much safer to do than back-straining crunches.

How to do it: Start by standing with your feet hip-distance apart. Lower yourself into a deep squat and bring your hands to the floor, shoulder-width apart. Now jump your feet back into a plank, while keeping your abs tight. Use your lower abs to jump your feet back into deep squat and stand or jump back up. Do this 10-15 times.

Ditch: Kipping pull-ups

A kipping pull-up is basically a pull-up that involves a swinging motion of the body with a burst of power from your shoulders to reach above the push-up bar. These extra movements could cause a serious injury to your shoulders.

Try this instead: A regular pull-up

There’s a reason why pull-ups are a workout staple; they are both safe and effective.
How to do it: Lie on your back, either on the floor or a bench. Bend your knees and hook your feet under a secure brace. If you don’t have a brace, ask someone to hold your feet. Put your hands on your sides or behind your neck. Bend your hips and waist to raise your body off the ground. Now lower your back to the starting position.

Ditch: Partial squats

Squats are difficult; that’s why partial squats were created. The problem with partial squats though is that the movement doesn’t activate the muscles that full squats do. Because they exclude your glutes and hamstrings they increase the risk of lower leg muscle imbalance. This in turn can increase your risk of injury..

Try this instead: Full squats

Done correctly, full squats are much better than partial ones. They work on your glutes, hamstrings, calves, abdominal muscles and even your lower back.

How to do it: Stand with your feet a little wider than hip width apart, your toes facing the front. Push your hips back, bending at the knees and ankles. Now sit into a squat position while keeping your heels and toes on the ground, and your core engaged. Press into your heels and straighten your legs till you’re upright again.

References:

My child is choking! What do I do?!

Kids are always on an adventure of self-discovery, experimenting with everything in their path. As part of this learning process, children between the ages of one and five often put objects in their mouths. This is a normal part of exploring their surroundings.

But what happens when the adventure turns into a nightmare, and your child starts choking?

Important facts 

According to Injury Facts 2017, choking is the fourth leading cause of accidental death. The number of children who choke on food is particularly high because of the size, shape and consistency of certain foods which make them likely choking hazards. The best way to prevent accidents is to make sure that small objects stay out of your child’s way.

If you suspect your child is choking, act immediately:

  • If he suddenly starts coughing, hasn’t been sick and has a habit of putting small objects in his mouth, there is a good chance he’s choking. Support him in a position where he’s face down. Hold his head in one hand, with his upper body on your forearm against your thigh.
  • Give him about five back slaps between the shoulder blades with the heel of your other hand.
  • If the object doesn’t come out, roll his face up and support the back of his head with your hand.
  • Put two fingers on the breastbone just below the nipple line.
  • Give five chest thrusts, about one per second.
  • Continue cycles of five back slaps and five chest thrusts until the object comes out or when your child becomes responsive.
  • If your child is still not breathing or only gasping, start CPR.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

CPR is the lifesaving method to recover someone who shows no signs of life, meaning they’re unconscious and not breathing.

Before you perform CPR on your child:

  1. For infants, flick the bottom of the foot to get a response.
  2. If your child doesn’t respond, call an ambulance immediately.
  3. Open the airway by laying your child on his back. Tilt his head back slightly and lift his chin.
  4. Check for breathing. Listen carefully for a breathing sound of no more than 10 seconds. Occasional gasps aren’t breathing.
  5. Deliver two rescue breaths if your child isn’t breathing. With the head tilted back slightly and the chin lifted, pinch the nose shut, make a complete seal by placing your mouth over the child’s mouth and breathe into his mouth twice. For infants, use your mouth to make a complete seal over the infant’s mouth and nose, and then blow in for one second to make the chest clearly rise. Now, deliver two rescue breaths
  6. Keep going. Continue the CPR steps until you see obvious signs of life, like breathing or until paramedics are available to take over.

References

10 ways to use baking soda as a remedy

You probably use baking soda at home for cleaning and baking. Good news: it has health perks too!

Cool down heartburn

Heartburn is that painful burning sensation in the upper part of your stomach that can spread up into your throat. It starts when acid rises into your oesophagus (the tube that connects your stomach to your mouth). This can happen if you eat too much, feel stressed or eat spicy foods. Baking soda can help treat heartburn by neutralising stomach acid.

– Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of cold water and sip slowly. –

Keep your mouth bacteria free

Mouthwash is important in your oral hygiene routine. It reaches places of your teeth, gums and tongue that a toothbrush can’t. You can use baking soda as a replacement mouthwash instead of the expensive ones from the shops. Baking soda has antibacterial properties which will help freshen your breath and get rid of bacteria.

– Add half a teaspoon of baking soda to half a glass of warm water. Swish it around your mouth and spit. –

Treat urinary tract infections

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system like the kidneys, bladder or urethra. Women are more likely than men to suffer from these. These kinds of infections cause burning when you urinate. Studies have found that baking soda can help to neutralise the acid in urine when you have a UTI. This allows the body to deal with the bacteria that caused the infection on its own.

– To use baking soda for UTI, dissolve half to one teaspoon of baking soda in water and drink it on an empty stomach. –

Whiten your chompers

If you’d like to whiten your teeth, look no further than baking soda. It has mild cleaning powers that help get rid of stains on your teeth. Don’t use this method more than once a week though, as baking soda may damage the outside layer of your teeth.

– Mix baking soda with water or lemon juice until it’s a paste. Dab it on your toothbrush and brush for two minutes. Rinse your mouth thoroughly and follow by brushing with toothpaste and then flossing. –

Freshen up

Make your own deodorant! It’s natural, free from excessive chemicals, and can be a cheaper alternative to those you buy in the store.

– Mix a teaspoon of baking soda added to water to create a milky baking soda paste. Rub it under your arms or feet to stay fresh. –

Relieve itchy skin

If you suffer from skin allergy rashes, baking soda can help.

– Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with water to make a paste and apply it to the affected areas. Leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse well. Use this method as often as needed. –

Banish bug bites

Many over-the-counter creams for bites have baking soda, as it helps relieve itching and swelling from insect bites.

– Create a paste with a teaspoon of baking soda and water. Use it at least three times a day until your bites heal. –

Get rid of flakes

Remove dry skin from your face by using baking soda as an exfoliant.

– Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with half a cup of water and rub it on your face in a circular motion, then rinse. Don’t do this too often as baking soda could upset the pH balance of your skin. –

Remove splinters

Splinters can be painful – and difficult to remove.

– Soak the splinter area in a mix of a tablespoon of baking soda and warm water. Try this twice a day and it should eventually come out by itself. –

Calm sunburn

Treat fragile sunburned skin by soaking in baking soda and water.

– Add half a cup of baking soda to a warm (not hot) bath and immerse in the mixture. You can also try mixing some baking soda in your body lotion to calm any sunburn. –

References:

Do I need an X-ray for my ankle sprain?

You’re carrying your groceries up the stairs when BAM! You miss a step, tumble down the steps, and feel a shooting pain up your ankle.  Is it a sprain? Or worse, a fracture?

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries. They can be very painful, and make you wonder if something might be cracked. Most of the minor ankle sprains don’t need X-rays or surgical treatment, but with more serious injuries, there can be fractures of the bones of the ankle as well as the foot.

Here is a quick way to figure out if you need an X-ray after an ankle sprain:

Ankle X-ray screening questions

  • Can you take four steps? (It’s okay if you limp)? No? Get an X-ray.
  • Do you have tenderness/pain around your medial or lateral malleoli (the little bone bumps on either side of your ankle) – specifically the back side of these bones? Yes? Get an X-ray.
  • Do you have tenderness/pain around the base of the fifth metatarsal (bump on the lateral/outside portion of your foot; halfway between your heel and your little toe)? Yes? Get an X-ray.
  • Do you have tenderness/pain around the navicular bone (bump on the inside portion of your foot?) Yes? Get an X-ray.

The Ottawa ankle rules

The Ottawa ankle rules are a set of guidelines for doctors to help them decide whether a patient with foot or ankle pain should be offered X-rays to diagnose a possible bone fracture.

Before these rules, most patients with ankle injuries had x-rays taken. But the problem was, a lot of patients with unclear ankle injuries didn’t have fractures. This meant many unnecessary X-rays, which were costly, time-consuming and risky due to radiation exposure.

What happens during an X-ray

This procedure is a form of radiation like light or radio waves. It’s most commonly used after an injury to look for fractures, dislocations or bleeding in the joint.

Make sure you wear clothing that can be removed or pulled away from the joint being X-rayed.

Once an x-ray machine is carefully aimed at the part of the body being examined, it produces a small burst of radiation that passes through the body, recording an image on photographic film or a special detector.

Your doctor will place you on an X-ray table and put the x-ray film holder or digital recording plate under the table in the area of the body being imaged.

An x-ray may also be taken of an unaffected part of the body, for comparison purposes. A bone x-ray examination is usually completed within five to 10 minutes.

While a bone x-ray examination is a painless procedure, you may experience discomfort from the cool temperature in the examination room. You may also find it uncomfortable to hold still in a position and lying on the hard examination table, especially if you’re injured. Don’t worry much; your doctor will help you find a comfortable position that will help produce quality x-ray images.

After the X-ray

Depending on your condition, your doctor may advise you to go on with your daily activities or rest while you’re waiting for your results. Your results may be available on the same day as your procedure, or later.

References:

Is it a panic attack – or a heart attack?

Pounding heart, shortness of breath, sweating, fear of losing control or of dying. Sound familiar? These are some of the typical symptoms of a panic attack and a heart attack. So how do you know the difference!?

Panic attack Heart attack
  • Symptoms usually peak after 10 mins.

  • The pain lasts more than 5 minutes and the pain doesn’t affect the breathing.

 

  • Pain is concentrated in the chest, and fluctuates: rising & falling.

 

  • People describe the pain during a heart attack as constricting.
  • The intensity of the pain can change.
  • As a rule, the pain appears in the center of the chest and can move downward along the left arm and along the back.
  • The pain can also spread to the neck, teeth, and jaw area.

 

  • Numbness and prickly sensation is not restricted to the left arm. It can also appear in the right arm, fingers & legs.

 

  • Usually the prickly feeling is restricted to the left arm.
  • This is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and a cold, sticky sweat.
  • During a panic attack, people have irrational fears, like fear they will suffocate, or that they are going insane.

 

  • During a heart attack, people usually fear that they might die, and this is concentrated on the pain in their chest.

Managing a panic-attack

  1. Consciously slow your rate of breathing, your racing thoughts, and your body, from head to toe.
  2. Picture a relaxing scene using all your senses. Now, imagine yourself in this scene.
  3. If you can, get up and take a walk even if it’s just to the bathroom. If there are people around you, make small talk.
  4. Picture a person you trust, someone who believes in you, supports you and cares about your wellbeing.
  5. Recall a time you handled a similar situation well, or try to recall a past success and the good feelings from that moment.
  6. Focus on a concrete object in front of or around you. Maybe it’s a paperweight on your desk. Focus on its colour, shape – try to absorb as many details as you can.
  7. Count backwards from 20 and with every number; picture a different image of someone you love, something that pleases you, something that calms you.
  8. Remind yourself that attacks always end. Always.
  9. Remind yourself that panic is not dangerous.
  10. Make yourself yawn, and stretch your body, head to toe.

Managing a heart-attack

If someone looks like they’re having a heart-attack, or you think you are, contact emergency services immediately. If you’re unsure whether it’s a panic attack or heart attack, don’t take the risk! Contact an ambulance.

While you wait for the ambulance, do the following:

  • Keep the person as calm as possible, and have them lie or sit down.
  • Have the person chew an aspirin (unless they are allergic).
  • If they stop breathing, someone who is qualified should perform CPR immediately. If you don’t know CPR, call the emergency services, and they can give you instructions while you wait.

When in doubt, always contact emergency services. Some people feel they don’t want to worry their relatives when they have symptoms of heart attack. Don’t make this mistake! You could risk your life!

References:

Save a life this summer with these first aid tips

The holidays make for fun times, but all that merriment, alcohol and lowered inhibitions can lead to scary situations. This may not give you a qualification as a paramedic, but these tips can help you be a little more prepared for an emergency.

If someone’s having a convulsion

  • Lay the person on the ground, away from dangerous objects.
  • Don’t try to restrain them.
  • Loosen their clothing if necessary.
  • Never place anything in their mouth!
  • When it’s over, keep them on their side with their head down to allow easy breathing and prevent choking.

If someone’s having an asthma attack

An attack usually happens in episodes, during which the airways to the lungs narrow, making it hard to breathe. Help the person find and take his medication quickly. Talk to him in a calm, reassuring manner, and encourage him to rest and sit quietly until help arrives.

Get help immediately if:

  • Someone’s struggling to breathe or is unusually short of breath.
  • The person’s medication doesn’t bring relief.
  • The person has difficulty walking or talking.
  • His fingernails and lips turn bluish-gray.

If someone’s in shock

Shock is when blood pressure drops suddenly and drastically. This could lead to tissue damage and even death.

  • Early symptoms of shock may include confusion, restlessness and anxiety.
  • Call an ambulance immediately if you suspect someone is going into shock.
  • Elevate the person’s legs if they have no spinal injury, keep them warm and calm, and don’t give them anything to eat or drink.
  • Check the ABCs: airway, breathing and circulation. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR. If there’s any external bleeding, do your best to stop it.

If someone’s been poisoned

  • Call emergency services if the person shows signs of poisoning or is unconscious. Provide information about the poisoning: the poison that was taken, the amount, how it entered the body, and when it was taken. Give the person’s age and approximate size or weight.
  • Perform CPR if the person is unconscious and not breathing, but first check for poisonous material around the mouth. Wash the area around the person’s mouth and if necessary, use a barrier device.
  • Keep a sample of what the person has taken, even if it’s an empty container.
  • Don’t try to make the person vomit. This could cause more damage.

If someone has a head injury

  • If he hasn’t lost consciousness and is alert, apply an ice pack to the area for 20 minutes. Wrap the pack in a cloth to prevent damage to the skin from extreme cold.
  • Watch the person carefully for the next 24 hours. If he shows signs of internal head injury, call your doctor immediately.
  • You need immediate medical attention if the person is unconscious, has an obvious wound, is bleeding, has speech or vision disturbances and struggles to breathe.
  • If he’s unconscious or there’s any paralysis, don’t move him at all.
  • If he vomits, roll him onto his side to prevent choking.
  • If he has a seizure, roll him onto his side and make sure the tongue has fallen forward in the mouth to keep the airway clear.
  • If there’s swelling to the head, apply an ice pack.
  • Don’t remove any object stuck in the wound.

References:

“Help! My child got injured!”

It’s the law of parenting: Your child is playing and you take your eyes off him for two seconds to answer your phone. Like clockwork; he falls, trips, bangs his hand against the wall and all hell breaks loose.

With children around, “oops” moments’ happen frequently and often, in the blink of an eye. It’s perfectly normal and happens to most parents. Kids are naturally curious and inquisitive, and this curiosity often sends them flying off the rails, or diving into a bush. Here’s a guide to treating those cuts and bruises, because we all know – they are inevitable!

Burns happen within seconds. From reaching for the stove, a spill of a hot beverage or touching a hot iron; there are pitfalls aplenty. A first-degree burn is the mildest form, and the skin may appear red with slight swelling. It may look like sunburn. Usually painful, a second-degree burn damages the top layer of the skin. With a third-degree burn, the skin is seriously injured. It looks white or charred. This burn damages the nerves so chances are that your child might not feel pain.

Only first degree burns should be treated at home:

  • Run cool water over the area for a few minutes to lower the temperature.
  • Apply an aloe vera gel or antibiotic ointment over the area and cover with a damp gauze or clean cloth.
  • Avoid an ice pack as this decreases the blood flow and may cause more pain.
  • Never ever apply grease or butter to the area; the salt will just worsen the pain!

When to see the doctor:

  • If the burn is on the face, genitals, joints and hands.
  • If it’s an electrical burn and covers a large part of his body
  • If the burn is oozing, tender and swollen,
  • If your child struggles to breathe.

Poisoning can happen even if you’re super careful with food. Food poisoning is caused by germs in contaminated foods which could result in a stomach virus, and the symptoms usually appear 48 hours after eating and last for about a day or two.

If your child is still sick for more than a few days, it’s time to see your doctor. Common symptoms include:

  • Cramping
  • Nausea
  • Vomitting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Fever
  • Aches
  • Chills

At home, keep your child hydrated with plenty of fluids. Make sure he gets lots of rest too.

Trips and falls are big business with kids! Running, unsteadiness, muscle weakness, and slow visual pick-ups are just a few causes for sudden crashes and bumps. Falling down is part of growing as they become independent and move on their own.

Accommodate the busy bees by rearranging your furniture to allow them space to move freely. When your child trips or falls, be mindful of how you react. Play it cool. Your panic will set him off. Check for bumps, fractures or bruising. Place an ice pack on the affected area and let him rest.

If it’s a head injury, you need to go to the doctor if:

  • Your child loses consciousness
  • There is significant bleeding
  • There is a lot of pain when the area is touched
  • Your child vomits
  • They lose focus in their eyes.

Drowning happens silently and quickly. Infants and toddlers left alone, even for a few minutes in a bathtub, are likely to drown. Always keep an eye on your child during bath times and when outdoors in the pool. Don’t rely on bath seats and rings, or older siblings to protect your child.

If you have a drowning scare at home:

  • Immediately check for breathing and responsiveness.
  • If he’s not breathing, start with chest compressions.
  • Get your child to the doctor immediately if he’s unconscious but still breathing.

If a few days later, and there’s persistent coughing, confusion, disorientation, difficulty talking and fever, it’s a good idea to see the doctor.

Sprains, scrapes and broken bones are common with the running and jumping that kids do. Most superficial scrapes can be treated at home, but for cuts, you may need to go to the emergency room to make sure they don’t need stitches. Waiting too long, could lead to scarring.

Scrapes that cause bleeding can be cleaned under running water, with saline (water and salt solution) or an alcohol-free wipe to prevent infection. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic cream and cover with a gauze, sterile bandage or a Band-Aid.

  • If it’s a minor scrape, you may leave it uncovered.
  • If it looks like a cut, you can use a Band-Aid to close the edges of the cut, unless it keeps bleeding.
  • If it is a clean cut, it will probably need stitches.

For a sprained ankle, just remember the RICE-acronym:
Rest: stay off the ankle
Ice: Put some ice in a dishcloth or towel, and rest this on the ankle to decrease the swelling.
Compression: Cover the ankle in a bandage, to keep the swelling down.
Elevate: Make sure the ankle stays above the heart, to keep swelling down, and allow the ankle to heal.

When to visit the doctor:

  • If the skin feels cold and pale (hands, feet and toes),
  • If there’s tingling and numbness on the area,
  • If there’s a crooked appearance to the bones
  • If your child cannot move the area at all without feeling pain.

References

Help for hardware mishaps

Hurt yourself doing handy work around the house? Don’t panic. Hardware mishaps are common, affecting over 200 000 DIY enthusiasts every year!

Fortunately, they can be easily treated. The basics of first aid can make all the difference. Here’s how to handle common DIY injuries:

Splinters
Shards of wood, metal and glass can make their way under your skin and cause infection. To prevent this, fragments need to be removed – even if you don’t feel any pain.

What to do:

  • Gently clean the area around the splinter with warm water and mild soap.
  • Using tweezers, grasp the splinter as close to the skin as possible. Never try to remove the splinter with a needle as this may cause infection.
  • Draw the splinter out in the same direction as it entered the skin. Make sure that it doesn’t break off.
  • Carefully squeeze the wound so that a small drop of blood comes out. This helps flush out any remaining dirt.
  • Clean and dry the wound. Cover it with a plaster or bandage.
  • If the splinter is too deeply embedded in the skin to remove or lies over a joint, get medical help.

Puncture wound
Stepped on a nail? Before you rush off to the hospital, here’s how you can help yourself.

What to do:

  • Remove the object if you can.
  • Stop the bleeding by applying firm, direct pressure to the affected area with a clean cloth or bandage.
  • Rinse the wound with water for a few minutes. If dirt remains in the wound after rinsing, remove with tweezers. Wash the area with mild soap and water, and rinse again. Pat dry.
  • Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment. Cover the wound with a sterile bandage to protect it from dirt or further injury. Change the dressing at least once a day or whenever it becomes wet or dirty.
  • Take a painkiller to ease any pain.
  • See a doctor if the wound isn’t healing, or you notice signs of infection like redness, swelling or pus.

Sprains and strains
Statistics show that up to 17 000 people will need treatment for sprains or strains as a result of home improvements every year.

What to do:

  • Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
  • Support the injured area in a raised position. Place a pillow underneath the injury for extra support.
  • Cool the area with an ice pack to help reduce swelling and pain.
  • If the pain is severe or you can’t move the injured area, get medical help right away.

Burns
Scalding by hot liquids, electricity or chemicals can cause serious burns. The longer the burning goes on, the more severe the injury will be. Cool the burn as soon as possible.

What to do:

  • Hold the burned area under cool running water for at least 10 minutes to reduce the heat and prevent further tissue damage. Don’t use ice or iced water as it can cause frostbite. Never apply butter, petroleum jelly or toothpaste on a burn! These could damage the skin even more and increase the risk of infection.
  • Remove clothing and jewellery from the burned area, unless it’s sticking to the burn.
  • Gently clean the area with mild soap and water. Pat dry and apply antiseptic cream. Cover with a clean, dry dressing to prevent the loss of body heat. Change the dressing twice a day.
  • Avoid bursting blisters as they help the skin to heal.
  • If needed, take a painkiller.
  • If the burn is deep or larger than the size of your hand, get medical help immediately.

References:

 

Could this be a sprain or a break?

Your bones are five times stronger than steel – yes, really! Still, as tough as they are, bones can break.

A broken bone, (also known as a fracture), happens when too much pressure is exerted onto your bone, causing it to crack, shatter or split. Fractures are mostly caused by injuries, falls, car accidents, or overuse (particularly if you run or play a sport).

Signs and symptoms of a broken bone:

  • Intense pain in and around the injured area
  • Numbness and tingling
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Limited ability or inability to move.
  • A visible deformity in the injured area.
  • Broken skin with bone protruding from the wound.

Sprain or break?

The type of injury that causes a broken bone and a sprain is essentially the same. Here’s how to spot the difference.

It’s most likely a sprain if:

  • You can still walk or put weight on your ankle after a leg injury.
  • You have mild or no swelling.
  • You have pain and tenderness around the soft tissue areas, but not over the bone.

It’s most likely a broken bone if:

  • You can’t walk after a leg injury.
  • You have severe pain in and around your foot or ankle after a leg injury.
  • You still have swelling and pain after a few days.
  • Your affected joint looks deformed.

First aid for broken bones

Minor broken bones aren’t life-threatening, but a break does need professional medical attention. Get help if:

  • The broken bone is from major trauma like a sports injury or car accident.
  • The person is unconscious or stops breathing.
  • There is heavy bleeding.
  • The broken bone has pushed through the skin.
  • The injured area looks deformed, feels numb, or has turned blue in colour.
  • You suspect there is a broken bone in the head, neck or back.

While you wait for the ambulance:

  • Don’t move the person! You may cause further injury.
  • Stop any bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing.
  • Immobilise the injured area using a splint or sling. Apply the splint to the area above and below the fracture sites. Never try to realign the bone or push a bone that’s sticking out back in.
  • Wrap an ice pack in a towel or piece of cloth, and apply it to the injured area to help reduce swelling and pain. Don’t apply the ice directly to the skin.
  • If the person is breathing in short, rapid breaths or feels faint lay him down in a comfortable position and encourage him to rest. Cover him with a blanket or item of clothing to keep him warm, and reassure him until help arrives.

 

References:

http://www.healthline.com/health/first-aid/broken-bones#Overview1
http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-fractures/basics/art-20056641
http://www.healthline.com/symptom/fractures
http://www.livestrong.com/article/265958-how-to-tell-between-a-sprained-ankle-a-broken-ankle/

First aid at your fingertips

It’s that time of the year again: pool parties, celebrations, lots of drinking, and – inevitably – accidents. We may not want to think about it, but injuries and accidents tend to happen over the festive season.

Knowing the basics of first aid can ensure you have a safe and happy holiday. Here are the top three first-aid techniques you need to know.

Continue reading “First aid at your fingertips”