Cuts and Scrapes

1. Cuts and Scrapes • Control bleeding using firm pressure and universal precautions • Clean thoroughly with soap and water • Dress with gauze or a Band-aid • Have a cut evaluated for stitches if: • longer than 1/4-1/2 inch • fat or tissue protruding from cut • on the face • gaping open

2. Bleeding • Always wear gloves (carry them with you) • Apply direct, firm pressure, using gauze or a clean cloth • Elevate the area, if possible (above the heart) • Hold firm pressure for 7-10 minutes, without stopping to “check” • After bleeding controlled, clean the wound and apply a dressing

3. Arterial & UncontrolledBleeding • Arterial blood is bright red, and spurts with each heartbeat--Blood from a vein will be darker red, and flow steadily • If bleeding is arterial, or is uncontrolled after 10 minutes of firm pressure, have someone call 911 • If anything is protruding from the wound, leave it, and tape a dressing to hold it in place

4. Nosebleeds • Very common in children • Have the student lean forward, not back • Apply firm pressure--7-10 minutes • Pinch the nostrils not bridge of nose • Afterwards, do not let the child blow! • Prolonged or recurrent nosebleeds should be reported to parents for possible medical attention

5. Fractures, Sprains and Dislocations • A fracture is a broken bone • A sprain is an injury to the ligaments around a joint • A dislocation is when a bone slips out of it’s socket. • It takes an X-ray to tell the difference

6. Fractures, Sprains and Dislocations • Remember “PRICE” • P is for Protect: Splint in position found • R is for Rest: Avoid further movement • I is for Ice: To minimize swelling and pain • C is for Compress: Ace bandage, check often • E is for Elevate, above the heart

7. Head Injuries • For minor head injuries • Rest and Ice • Back to class • Recheck in clinic in 1-2 hours for: • Increasing headache pain • Vision problems • Memory loss

8. Head Injuries Symptoms that would indicate a more severe head injury, requiring medical attention are: • Loss of consciousness • Clear fluid from nose or ear • Vision or speech problems, unequal pupils • Inability to arouse from sleep • Vomiting 3 or more times • Unsteady gait, neck pain

9. Neck and Spinal Injuries • Always suspect a neck or spinal injury if the child: • Has fallen more than 10 ft • Has a bad head injury • Does not get up quickly • Tells you he has neck or back pain

10. Neck and Spinal Injuries • Do not move him if you suspect spinal injury • Someone else should call 911 while you stay with the child • If he vomits, roll him to one side, “like a log”, keeping his neck and back straight

11. Allergic Reactions • Insect sting, food, medication, latex • Remember the Three R’s: • Recognize symptoms • React quickly • Review what caused the reaction, and how well the emergency plan worked

12. Allergic Reactions • Signs of a severe reaction are: • Intense itching, hives • Facial swelling, especially eyes and lips • Cough, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing • Wheezing, more severe respiratory difficulty • Check emergency plan, follow directions • Give epi-pen immediately, if ordered • Call 911, observe for breathing problems

13. Shock • Shock can result from a severe injury, illness, or infection • The child may be disoriented, confused, or unconscious • Skin will be pale and clammy • Shock results when the body sends blood and oxygen to the most vital organs

14. Shock Call 911 • Have child lie down and elevate or prop legs 12 inches or more • Keep the child warm and calm • Observe for further problems with breathing or circulation • Do not give child anything to eat or drink

15. Burns • First aid is cold water • Helps control pain, stop burning process • Do not use ice • Dress with a clean bandage • Leave blisters intact • If the burn is on the hand or face, or is larger than the palm of the hand: • Call parents to seek further medical attention

16. Seizures • A seizure is an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain • May vary from staring spells, to movement of one extremity, to a generalized or grand mal seizure • First aid for a child having a seizure is to prevent injury and observe for complications. A seizure management plan should be completed and on file

17. Seizures • It is helpful to check the time, so you can tell parents or EMS how long it lasted • Do not put anything in the child’s mouth, but do speak calmly to him • When the seizure is over, the child will usually be sleepy. Turn him to one side • Call 911 if it is the first seizure or lasts longer than 5 minutes

18. Eye Injuries • Foreign Bodies or Splashes • Flush with large amounts of water for 15-20 minutes • Cover the eye with a gauze dressing • Don’t let the child rub, Call parents • For a penetrating eye injury • Keep student lying flat • Cover with a metal shield, or “cup” • Call 911

19. Heat Emergencies • Heat Cramps • Move student to a cool place • Give fluids (water) • May try a gentle massage of cramped area • Heat Exhaustion: Headache, nausea, faintness, skin pale and clammy • Move to a cool place, lie down • Give sips of water (4 oz. every 15 minutes) • Apply cool, wet cloths, fan • Notify parents

20. Heat Emergencies • Heat Stroke is a medical emergency: skin is red, hot, dry; high fever; disoriented; may have seizures, unconsciousness • Transport to air-conditioned room • Call 911, notify parents • Sponge with water and apply cold packs • Do not give fever reducers • Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures for several days

21. Dental Injuries • Broken or knocked out teeth • Notify parents, child should see dentist or ER within 1 hour if possible • If bleeding, apply pressure • If tooth is knocked out, find tooth, place in a cup of milk or “Save a Tooth”, send with child • Do not rub or clean tooth • Rinse mouth with cool water

22. intense itching trouble breathing hives wheezing hoarseness paleness difficulty swallowing facial swelling Bee Stings and Insect Bites • Remove Stinger by flicking it with a driver’s license or credit card • Apply ice or cold compress • Use Epi-Pen if you have one for this child, call 911

23. Tick Removal • Remove the tick by pulling straight out with tweezers or your fingers • Wash with soap and water • Inform parent or caregiver • This is NOT an emergency and does not need to be treated immediately • Provide follow-up information that includes seeing a doctor if the child develops a rash, fever, or headache and possibly joint pain a week to 30 days after a tick bite

24. Splinter Removal • Use Clean tweezers • If you see the object sticking out of the skin grasp and gently pull out the same direction it went in • No digging or doing anything invasive • Wash with soap and water

25. Bumps and Bruises • Apply ice for 20 minutes – use a thin layer of cloth or paper towel between ice and skin. Ice for 10 mins then remove for 10 mins. • Elevate the area if possible • Do not break or open blood blisters

26. Sunburn • Avoid direct sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. • Recommend students bring sunscreen from home to outdoor events • Treat sunburn with cool compress • Encourage extra fluids

27. Georgia Poison Center • When to call them: • For any ingestion of a non-food item • For a chemical splash or burn • For an animal bite • And the numbers are: • 404.616.9000 • 1.800.282.5846