|
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Appendicitis |
Pain in right lower abdomen. Nausea, possibly vomiting, low fever, constipation |
Call doctor immediately. While diagnosis is uncertain, don't give anything to eat or drink. Don't use laxatives or pain medications. |
Minor Burns |
Redness, pain and swelling. Moist, oozing blistered skin appearing within several hours |
Remove clothing if not stuck. Flush in cold water or apply cold cloths. Don't use butter/ointment. Cover burn with sterile bandage. |
Chest Pains |
Chest pain or heaviness often radiating to left arm. Breathing with difficulty. Sweating. |
Call 911 right away - wait no longer than 5 minutes. Loosen clothing and have victim rest comfortably. If victim collapses, call 911 and begin CPR. |
Choking |
Inability to breathe, cough or speak. Grasping neck. Bluish lips, nails or skin. |
ASK: Are you choking? If victim can't breathe, cough or speak, have someone call 911 and then begin Heimlich maneuver (Age 1 year to adult):
- Stand behind the choking victim.
- Wrap your arms around the victim's waist and lock your hands into a fist.
- Place the thumb side of your fist against the victim's abdomen, slightly above the navel and below the rib cage.
- Press your fist into the victim's abdomen with a quick inward and upward thrust. Do not apply pressure to the rib cage.
- Repeat thrusts as necessary.
- If the victim becomes unconscious, call 911 and begin CPR.
|
Convulsions |
Unconsciousness. Body stiffness followed by uncontrolled jerking movements. |
Catch falling victim. Clear space. Don't put anything in mouth or try to stop jerking. Loosen tight clothing. Get someone to call 911. |
Croup |
In young child: barking, croaking cough. Difficulty breathing, bluish face. |
Call doctor if 1st attack, if breathing is labored or lips/fingers are blue. Have child breathe moist air in steamy bathroom. Follow doctor's orders. |
Cuts and Bruises |
Cuts: Injuries to skin with bleeding and pain. Bruises: redness on impact, then black and blue |
Cuts: Stop bleeding with direct pressure; clean with soap/water; cover with sterile bandage. Bruises: apply cold packs; elevate limb |
Dog Bite |
Deep, bleeding, painful wound. Major danger is rabies, which can be fatal. |
Stop bleeding by direct pressure. Wash with soap/water. Capture animal if it can be done safely; notify animal control to check for rabies. Call doctor. |
Drowning |
Unconsciousness. Not breathing, possibly no heartbeat. Cold exposure. Shock. |
Remove from water. If victim is not breathing, begin CPR immediately. Call 911. Elevate feet, keep warm. |
Earache |
Pain, discharge from ear, possible fever, hearing loss. In baby: pulling ear. |
See doctor immediately for diagnosis. Report fever and/or discharge. Use prescribed medication as directed. Keep ear dry during bathing. |
Electric Shock |
Unconsciousness, breathing difficulty, burns at contact points, muscle spasms, seizures |
Call 911. Disconnect electric source. If victim is not breathing, begin CPR. Treat for shock and burns if necessary. |
Eye - Object In |
Watery, irritated, painful eye. Reluctance to open eye, foreign object visible |
et eye tear, don't rub. If loose, object may dislodge itself, or dab eye gently with a clean cloth. If embedded, cover both eyes and get help. |
Fainting |
Temporary unconsciousness. Sometimes blurred vision, nausea, paleness, sweating |
Lay on back, elevate feet or bend over with head at knee level. If unresponsive or symptoms do not pass quickly, call 911. If not breathing, begin CPR. |
Fever |
Body temperature or 100°F measured orally or 101°F measured rectally |
Increase fluid intake, sponge with warm water and give acetaminophen. Call doctor if temperature is over 102°F (orally) or persists. |
Fractures & Dislocations |
Sever pain, swelling or bruising. Loss of motion. Protruding bone or deformity. |
Don't move if unconscious or if back/neck injuries suspected. Treat breathing/bleeding/shock first. Immobilize injury before moving. Call 911. |
Frostbite |
Area (usually extremities) becomes red, then gray, then white. Numbness. |
Don't rub. Slowly warm by immersing in tepid (not hot) water. Give warm drinks and wrap in blankets. When rewarmed, call doctor. |
Head Injury |
Unconsciousness, pale skin, vomiting, sleepiness, uneven pupils, dazed look |
Treat any head injury as an emergency. Get someone to call for help. Stay with victim. Monitor closely for unconsciousness. |
Insect Bites & Stings |
Pain, itching, swelling, redness. If allergic: difficulty with breathing, swallowing |
Scrap off stinger with fingernail, don't squeeze. Wash with soap/water. Apply compress, then calamine lotion. Get help IMMEDIATELY if allergic. |
Nosebleed |
Blood coming from nostrils after blowing, sneezing, picking, injury or illness |
Keep head forward. Squeeze nose closed. If bleeding does not stop, apply cold compress and reapply pressure. If bleeding continues, call doctor. |
Poisoning |
Vomiting or diarrhea, difficulty breathing, sweating, convulsions, unconsciousness |
If symptoms are serious, call 911. Otherwise, call poison control center (1-800-222-1222 in U.S.) Report status, follow orders, collect vomit/urine. |
Shock |
Pale, clammy skin. Weakness. Fast breathing. Rapid, weak pulse. Confusion. |
Lay on back with feet raised - unless you suspect head/back injuries. Check for breathing /bleeding difficulties. Call 911. |
Stroke |
Headache, paralysis, difficulty with speech or vision, unconsciousness |
Call 911. Have victim rest comfortably. Don't let victim eat or drink. If victim collapses, call 911 and begin CPR. |
Sunburn |
Red, painful, swollen skin. Blisters if severe. Chills and fever. |
Apply cold compress or bathe in cool water. Give acetaminophen for pain. Call doctor is symptoms are severe or if feverish and ill. Give fluids. |
Toothache |
Sensitivity to heat, cold and sweets. Pain. Facial swelling. |
Call dentist. Give aspirin or acetaminophen for pain. After dental treatment, call dentist for fever, pain or continued sensitivities. |