FIRST AID

Anything on this site is not intended in any way to be a replacement for, or as a substitute to, qualified medical advice. If you think you are suffering from a medical condition, consult your doctor or other appropriately qualified person or service. Please read our Disclaimer.

ASTHMA

To avoid asthma being irritated by the mites in pillows, put pillow in tumble dryer on hot setting for 20 minutes, this will kill off the mites.

STINGS

Bees leave their stings in, so first priority is to carefully remove the sting. Then soothe the skin with a solution of bicarbonate soda and water.

REMEMBER - B is for bicarbonate

Wasp stings should be bathed with vinegar.

REMEMBER - VW - Vinegar for wasp stings.

If the sting is in the mouth, sucking an ice cube will ease the discomfort but medical help should be sought.

As some people are allergic to stings MEDICAL HELP SHOULD BE SOUGHT IMMEDIATELY at the first sign of excessive swelling or difficulty in breathing.

I have received a tip from Anita Jones saying if you seem to be experiencing an allergic reaction, such as something which makes your tongue swell, break open 2 Benedryl capsules and immediately put the contents under your tongue with a drink of water.  Proceed immediately to hospital.

I would like to stress I have no medical knowledge and, with all medication, other considerations come into play such as, medical history, other medication being taken, age, state of health etc. etc. I am also told that if you are prone to allergic reactions carrying an EPI-PEN (adrenaline pen) is a good idea.

Also, drugs can be different in various countries.

Thanks to Anita for sending this in.

MENINGITIS/SEPTICAEMIA

As the early symptoms of meningitis/Septicaemia can be similar to a cold or flu I think it is worth reiterating things to be aware of regarding this illness.

Symptoms in babies under two CAN include the following but it must be stressed this is not always the case, nor does it mean that a baby showing any of these symptoms definitely has meningitis - this is just meant as a guide, obviously, if you are at all worried professional advice should be sought.

The infant my seem irritable and object to being handled.
Their body may be floppy or perhaps stiff and jerky.
Their cry may be high pitched and different to normal.
They may seem reluctant to wake up.
They may be frequently sick (not just after feeds)
The skin may appear blotchy or pale.
The soft spot on the baby's head may be tight or bulging.
If there is a red/purple rash, gently push a glass tumbler over the spots and if they do not fade with the pressure, seek medical help immediately.

Symptoms of older children can be different, these can include:-

Headache
High temperature, feet and colds could be cold.
Rapid breathing.
Pains in joints and/or muscles.
Sickness and/or diarrhoea.
Drowsiness and/or confusion
Sensitivity to light.
Sore/stiff neck - moving their chin to their chest will cause discomfort.
Stomach pains.
A red/purple rash or blotches which do not disappear when pressed.

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A recent report by The Meningitis Research Foundation has found that early symptoms of blood poisoning (which is often associated with meningitis) can appear a long time before some of the more widely known e.g. light sensitivity and rashes.  These early warning signs in children under 17 years old often include: 

• cold hands and feet, 
• leg pains, and 
• abnormal skin colour.

If in any doubt seek professional medical advice as quickly as possible.

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STROKE

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Early diagnosis and treatment after a stroke can make a considerable difference;  professional treatment received within three hours of the stroke can sometimes mean the effects can be totally reversed.  

It is, therefore, imperative for us all to be aware of how to recognise when someone has, in fact, suffered a stroke as the symptoms are often mistaken as a dizzy spell, too much alcohol, or a trip.

There are 3 easy steps;  please take a minute to learn them as it could make all the difference!

If there is any likelihood that someone may have suffered a stroke, as them the following questions:-

Ask the individual to SMILE.

Ask them to RAISE BOTH ARMS

Ask them to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (coherently)

If they have trouble with any of these tasks call emergency immediately and describe the symptoms.

Sent in my Angela Davey

The latest information being given by the Stroke Association is to remember FAST

Get some MAGNESIUM SULPHATE which if you put this on it does pull the splinter out. You put a blob on and cover with a plaster it will work itself out in a day or so, this does work. I have also been told that a 'bread poultice' made with bread and hot water also works. 

Michele Clark

WARTS

A remedy my family and I have used a few times to remove warts is putting saliva on your wart first thing in the morning. It only works first thing. A chemical build up in your mouth overnight. It takes a week or two depending on how good you are at remembering to do it. This does work.

Michele Clark

Warts are apparently a virus and they will, in fact, disappear of their own accord over time.

TICKS

A simple way to remove ticks has been sent in by Linda Hagar -

Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball.

Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20), the tick will come out on it's own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away.

This technique has worked every time I've used it (and that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me.

Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any way. I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say, "It worked!".