Cuts or Lacerations Treatment

Take the following steps for minor cuts.

1. Stop the Bleeding

Apply direct pressure on the area.

2. Clean and Protect

Clean the area with warm water and gentle soap.

Apply an antibiotic ointment to reduce chance of infection.
Put a sterile bandage on the area. In some people, antibiotic ointments may
cause a rash. If this happens, stop using the ointment.
3. Call a Health Care Provider
Call a health care provider if:

The cut is deep or over a joint

You cannot get the cut or laceration clean
The injury is a deep puncture wound or the person has not had a recent (within
the last 5 to 10 years) tetanus shot or booster
The cut is from a human or animal bite
4. Follow Up

For a minor cut or laceration, remove bandage after a couple of days to promote
healing.
See a health care provider if the cut doesn't heal or shows signs of infection,
including redness, swelling, pus, or excessive pain.

Call 911-5061 if:

A cut is bleeding severely
Blood is spurting out
Bleeding can't be stopped after 10 minutes of firm and steady pressure
In general, a cut that needs stitches should be repaired within 6 hours of the injury. The
exception is cuts to the face and scalp, which generally can be repaired up to 24 hours
after the injury.

Broken Toe Treatment

Symptoms of a broken toe include: pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking.
1. Prevent Swelling and Further Injury

Stay off the foot as much as possible.

Avoid movement or pressure that causes pain.
Apply ice up to 20 minutes at a time. Wrap it in a towel; do not apply directly

to skin.
Keep the foot elevated as often as possible, especially the first 2 days after

injury, to help control pain and swelling.

For pain, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
2. Get Help

If you have severe pain, cant walk, the toe looks bent or deformed, or the pain
lasts for a long time, see a doctor.
3. Follow Up

Stay off your foot and avoid activity that causes pain for 3-4 weeks.
Wear a shoe with a stiff sole to protect the injured toe and keep it stable. Avoid
shoes that put pressure on the toe.

Thermal Burns Treatment

In this article
For First-Degree Burns (Affecting Top Layer of Skin)
For Second-Degree Burns (Affecting Top 2 Layers of Skin)
For Third-Degree Burns

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 pain subsides.
Use compresses if running water isnt available.
2. Protect Burn

Cover with sterile, non-adhesive bandage or clean cloth.

Do not apply butter or ointments, which can cause infection.
3. Treat Pain

Give over-the-counter pain reliever such

as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or naproxen (Aleve).

4. When to See a Doctor

Seek medical help if:

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.

Redness and pain last more than a few hours.
Pain worsens.
5. Follow Up

The doctor will examine the burn and may prescribe antibiotics and
pain medication.

For Second-Degree Burns (Affecting Top 2 Layers of Skin)

1. Cool Burn

Immerse in cool water for 10 or 15 minutes.

Use compresses if running water isnt available.
Dont apply ice. It can lower body temperature and cause further damage.
Dont break blisters or apply butter or ointments, which can cause infection.
2. Protect Burn

Cover loosely with sterile, nonstick bandage and secure in place with gauze or
tape.
3. Prevent Shock
Unless the person has a head, neck, or leg injury, or it would cause discomfort:

Lay the person flat.

Elevate feet about 12 inches.
Elevate burn area above heart level, if possible.
Cover the person with coat or blanket.
4. See a Doctor

The doctor can test burn severity, prescribe antibiotics and pain medications, and
administer a tetanus shot, if needed.

For Third-Degree Burns

1. Call 911-5061:
2. Protect Burn Area

Cover loosely with sterile, nonstick bandage or, for large areas, a sheet or other
material that that wont leave lint in wound.
Separate burned toes and fingers with dry, sterile dressings.
Do not soak burn in water or apply ointments or butter, which can cause
infection.
3. Prevent Shock
Unless the person has a head, neck, or leg injury or it would cause discomfort:

Lay the person flat.

Elevate feet about 12 inches.
Elevate burn area above heart level, if possible.
Cover the person with coat or blanket.
For an airway burn, do not place pillow under the person's head when the person
is lying down. This can close the airway.
Have a person with a facial burn sit up.
Check pulse and breathing to monitor for shock until emergency help arrives.
4. See a Doctor

Doctors will give oxygen and fluid, if needed, and treat the burn.

Call 911-5061 if:

The burn penetrates all layers of the skin.
The skin is leathery or charred looking, with white, brown, or black patches.
The burn blister is larger than two inches or oozes.

The hands, feet, face, or genitals are burned.

The person is an infant or a senior.

Dizziness Treatment

In this article
1. Treat Symptoms
2. Call a Health Care Professional
3. Follow Up

1. Treat Symptoms

The person should sit down or lie still.

If the person gets light-headed when standing up, the person should stand up
slowly.

Avoid sudden changes in position.

If the person is thirsty, have him or her drink fluids.
Avoid bright lights.
2. Call a Health Care Professional
Call a health care professional if:

This is the first time the person has been dizzy.

The dizziness is different than before or doesn't go away quickly.
3. Follow Up
At the health care provider's office or hospital, the next steps depend on the particular
case.

The person may get oxygen or IV fluids to treat dehydration.

If blood tests reveal abnormal blood chemistry (electrolyte levels), this will be
corrected.
Health care providers may start emergency treatment for heart attack or stroke,
blood transfusion, or surgery.

Call 911-5061 if:

A change in vision or speech
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Rapid, irregular, or very slow heartbeat
Convulsions or ongoing vomiting
Dizziness that comes after a head injury
Double vision
Fainting or loss of consciousness
Fever and stiff neck
Inability to move an arm or leg
Slurred speech
Numbness or tingling

Food Poisoning Treatment

In this article

1.Control Nausea and Vomiting

Avoid solid foods until vomiting ends. Then eat light, bland foods, such as saltine
crackers, bananas, rice, or bread.
Sipping liquids may help avoid vomiting.
Dont eat fried, greasy, spicy, or sweet foods.
Dont take anti-nausea or anti-diarrhea medication without asking your doctor.
They may make some kinds of diarrhea worse. Your doctor may give you anti-nausea
medication if you are at risk of being dehydrated.
2. Prevent Dehydration

Drink clear fluids, starting with small sips and gradually drinking more.
If vomiting and diarrhea last more than 24 hours, drink an oral rehydration
solution.
3. When to Call a Doctor
Call a doctor immediately if symptoms last more than 3 days and include:

Severe belly pain

Fever
Bloody diarrhea or dark stools
Vomiting that is prolonged or bloody
Signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, decreased urination, dizziness, fatigue,
or increased heart rate or breathing rate

Call 911-5061 if:

You think the food poisoning may be from seafood or mushrooms.
The person is severely dehydrated.
You think the food poisoning may be from seafood or mushrooms.

Nosebleeds Treatment

In this article
1. Stop the Bleeding
2. Call a Health Care Provider
3. Medical Treatment
4. Follow Up
1. 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.
2. Call a Health Care Provider
See a health care provider immediately if:

Nosebleed doesn't stop after 10 minutes of home treatment.

There is so much bleeding that it is hard to breathe.
The person is taking blood thinners, such
as warfarin (Coumadin), dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), fondaparinux sodi
um (Arixtra), or aspirin, or has a bleeding disorder.
Nosebleed happens after a severe head injury or a blow to the face.

3. Medical Treatment

The health care provider may use specialized cotton material, insert a balloon in
the nose, or use a special electrical tool to cauterize the blood vessels.
4. Follow Up

Broken noses often are not fixed immediately. The health care provider will refer

the person to a specialist for a consultation once the swelling goes down.
The person should avoid strenuous activity; bending over; and blowing, rubbing,

or picking the nose until it heals.

The nostrils should be kept moist with a water-based lubricant or by increasing
the humidity in the home.

Choking Treatment
In this article

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:

Stand behind the person and wrap your arms around the waist.
Place your clenched fist just above the persons 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.

Call 911-5061 if:

The person is choking.

The person is having trouble breathing or has noisy breathing.
The person is unconscious.

Diarrhea Treatment
Treating Dehydration
1. Take Fluids

Ask your doctor what fluids are best for you or your child. Here are some basic
tips:

a.

Give an adult plenty of clear fluid, like fruit juices, soda, sports drinks and
clear broth. Avoid milk or milk-based products, alcohol, apple juice, and caffeine while
you have diarrhea and for 3 to 5 days after you get better. They may make diarrhea
worse.

b.

Give a child or infant frequent sips of a rehydration solution such

as Pedialyte, CeraLyte, or Infalyte. Do not add salt tablets to a babys bottle.

c.

Make sure the person drinks more fluids than they are losing through
diarrhea. If they are unable to keep up with their losses, call a doctor.
2. Rest

Have the person rest as needed and avoid strenuous exercise.

3. Ease Into Eating

Feed an infant or child easily digested foods; the BRAT diet (bananas, rice,

applesauce, and toast) is a good choice as soon as they can tolerate food.
For an adult, add semisolid and low-fiber foods gradually as diarrhea stops.
Avoid spicy, greasy, or fatty foods.
3. When to Call a Doctor

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Call a doctor right away if:

You suspect that you or your child is dehydrated.
An infant 3 months old or younger has vomiting or diarrhea.
There is blood or mucus in the stool, or the stool is black.
You think the person needs over-the-counter diarrhea medication; some
kinds of diarrhea can get worse with anti-diarrheal medications.
You think the person has travelers diarrhea or drank contaminated water.
The person is taking an antibiotic that may be causing the diarrhea.
There is stomach pain that is not relieved by having a bowel movement.
There is any fever.
The person is losing more fluid in his stool than he can replace by drinking
fluids.
Follow-Up
Also seek medical attention if:

You or your child has any other medical problems and has diarrhea.
Diarrhea in an adult worsens or doesnt clear up after 2 or 3 days
A child doesnt feel better after 24 hours

Call 911-5061 if the person or child:

Is very dehydrated
Has severe abdominal pain