30 | www.Ups tatePhys i c i ansSC . com | www.Hea l thL i nksUps tate. com WHAT TO DO ABOUT BOO BOOS First aid is emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical aid can be obtained. It typically is provided at the location the injury occurs and often consists of a one-time, short-term treatment and requires little technology or training to administer. Sources: BSA Handbook, Pardee UNC Health Care, MayoClinic.org, Health.Harvard.edu, Dovemed.com, Alocane.com and StanfordHealthcare.org. SIGNS OF INFECTION • Redness, warmth, tenderness, swelling and green or yellow discharge or fluid. • The victim might also experience body aches, chills, fever or swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin areas. • Consult a doctor if the signs of infection worsen or spread beyond the affected area or red streaking is visible around the affected area. INSECT STINGS AND BITES The bites or stings of ticks, chiggers, spiders and insects can be painful and sometimes deadly. Some bites or stings might cause infection, so it is important to protect yourself with clothing and repellents. If you are outdoors, be sure to inspect yourself daily, especially the hairy parts of your body; you may have unwelcome travelers, such as ticks. CUTS AND SCRAPES • Small cuts and scrapes of the skin can allow bacteria to enter the body and cause infection. • Wash small cuts and scrapes with soap and water. • Ask the injured people if they have any allergies. If the answer is no, apply triple antibiotic ointment and cover with a dry, sterile dressing to help prevent infection and protect the wound. • Clean and bandage wounds each day or as often as needed. By Joe and Stacy Domingo SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AN INSECT STING OR BITE A mild reaction: Red bumps; Itchiness; Mild swelling. *If the injured person has an injectable epinephrine (EpiPen), give immediately. **Call 911 if the injured person is unconscious. If the person is conscious, give him or her diphenhydramine – Benadryl. TICK BITES • To remove a tick, wear latex-free gloves and use tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin. • Grab the tick as close to its head and mouth area as possible. • Pull gently until the tick comes loose. • Don’t squeeze, twist or jerk the tick; it can cause the tick’s mouthparts to break off in the skin. • Thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water and apply antiseptic. • Be sure to sterilize the tweezers after use. • Wash your hands thoroughly after dealing with a tick; they sometimes spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other serious illnesses. A severe reaction: Difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness; Fainting or dizziness; Difficulty speaking or swallowing; Face or mouth swelling.
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