Handling Minor Emergencies at Home

1. Handling Handling Minor Emergencies Emergencies at Home Home Minor at DOC-AID URGENT CARE

2. Key Points: Key Points: • Minor injuries include cuts, bruises, and minor Minor injuries include cuts, bruises, and minor burns, which may not have long burns, which may not have long- -term effects or pose life pose life- -threatening risks. threatening risks. term effects or • The ABCs of First Aid: Airway, Breathing, The ABCs of First Aid: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, are crucial steps when dealing with an Circulation, are crucial steps when dealing with an unconscious or unresponsive person. unconscious or unresponsive person. • Urgent care centers are suitable for minor injuries, Urgent care centers are suitable for minor injuries, while serious or life while serious or life- -threatening injuries require threatening injuries require immediate attention at an emergency room. immediate attention at an emergency room.

3. What is a minor injury? The main difference between minor and major injuries is how much they affect your life. Major injuries can lead to short-term or permanent disability, a lower quality of life, or even death. Injuries that lead to amputation, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, disfigurement, paralysis, compound fractures, severe burn cases, and eye or head wounds are common types of major injuries. Minor injuries might be painful, but they don’t have any long-term effect, cause disability, or put your life at risk. Related: Related: What are non-life-threatening emergencies

4. Creating a First Aid Kit The American Red Cross recommends the following first aid kit for a family include: Two hydrocortisone cream packets (approximately 1g each) • • Two absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches) • 25 adhesive bandages (different sizes) One 3in. gauze roll (roller) bandage • • One adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch) One roller bandage (4 inches wide) • • Five antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram) Five 3in. x 3 in. sterile gauze pads • • Five antiseptic wipe packets Five sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches) • • Two packets of aspirin (81 mg each) Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass) • • One emergency blanket Two triangular bandages • • One breathing barrier (with a one-way valve) Tweezers • • One instant cold compress Emergency First Aid instructions • • Two pairs of nonlatex gloves (size: large)

5. Creating a First Aid Kit If a person is unconscious or unresponsive, remember the ABCs of first aid: Airway: Open the person's airway if they're not breathing. • Breathing: Provide rescue breathing if the person is not breathing after clearing the airway. • Circulation: Perform chest compressions to keep blood circulating if the person's heart has stopped. •

6. First Aid for Bleeding While it is important to stop bleeding, start with the ABCs of first aid. The following steps are: Put on disposable gloves if you have any. This will protect you from infectious illnesses such as viral hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, which may be passed through a person's blood. • Rinse the wound with water. • Cover the wound with gauze or fabric (such as a towel, blanket, or clothes). • Apply direct pressure on the bleeding area to stop blood flow. • Elevate the bleeding area above the patient's heart if you can. • If the cloth becomes soaked, do not remove it. Removing the first layer will interfere with the clotting process and result in additional blood loss. Instead, add more layers if needed. • Once bleeding has stopped, apply a clean dressing to the affected area. •

7. First Aid for Burns To treat a burn, the first step is to prevent it from burning. This may involve cleaning chemicals, disconnecting power, cooling heat with running water, or covering up or removing a person from the sun. For non-emergency burns, you can use the following first aid steps: Flush the burned area with cold running water for a few minutes. Do not use ice. • Apply a thin gauze bandage to the burned area. If the burn is less severe, apply an ointment such as aloe vera to the burn area before applying the bandage. • Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief. • Avoid breaking any blisters that may form. • Stop the injured person from moving, as movement can worsen the injury. •

8. First Aid for Sprains The first step in first aid is to stop the injured person from moving, as movement can worsen the injury. In the event that emergency care is not necessary, the following first aid steps should be followed: Keep the injured limb as still as possible. • Apply a cold compress • Elevate the injured part • Use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain • Ask your provider if there is any other treatment you may need for a sprain •

9. First Aid for Bee Stings Watch for any signs of an allergy while you’re performing first aid. Call 911 if you or someone stung by a bee begins having a serious reaction that suggests anaphylaxis, even if it's just one or two signs or symptoms. If you were prescribed an emergency epinephrine auto injector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others), use it right away as your doctor directed. Seek prompt medical care if bees have swarmed you and have multiple stings. For all others: Get the stinger out as soon as possible to stop more venom from entering the body. To remove the stinger, use a sharp object, like a credit card, to scrape it from the skin. Do not squeeze the venom sac using tweezers or your fingers, as this can cause the venom to enter the skin. • Wash the affected area with soap and water. • Use a cold pack at the site of the sting to reduce swelling, but don’t put ice directly on the skin. • Use an allergy medication or an antihistamine to reduce swelling, itching, and pain •