American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [129]
2. If the person is not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately (see page 156). If the person’s heart has stopped, perform CPR if you have had CPR training.
3. If a snakebite kit is available, immediately use the suction cups from the kit to draw out body fluids containing the venom.
4. Keep the person calm, which will slow circulation and help stop the spread of the venom.
5. Remove any jewelry.
6. Immobilize the bitten arm or leg, and keep it below the level of the heart. Keep the person calm, and do not let him or her walk.
7. Wash the bite area thoroughly. Do not apply ice or very cold water; it could damage the skin. Cover the bite with a sterile dressing.
8. If the person is not nauseated or vomiting, is not having seizures, and is conscious, give him or her small sips of water. Do not give alcoholic beverages.
9. If you can safely capture and kill the snake (preferably without damaging its head), take it with you to the emergency department. Do not handle the head. The severed head of a snake can inject poison for up to an hour after the snake has died. If you cannot bring the snake with you to the doctor, try to describe the snake.
Identifying pit vipers
Poisonous snakes such as pit vipers have long fangs, slitlike eyes, and pits that contain sacs of poison between their eyes and their nostrils.
Animal Bites
Bites from a domesticated animal (such as a dog or cat) or a wild animal (such as a squirrel or raccoon) can result in serious infection and tissue damage. The animal must be caught and tested for rabies. Call the police or health department to catch and confine or kill the animal so it can be tested for rabies. The person may need to get a tetanus shot and, in rare cases, a series of rabies shots.
To treat an animal bite:
1. Call or have someone call 911 or your local emergency number, or send someone for help if the bite is deep or extensive. If the bite is not too severe, take the person to the emergency department yourself.
2. Clean the wound with soap and running water for at least 5 minutes to wash out contaminating organisms. After cleaning the bite with soap and water, irrigate it for 5 minutes with a povidoneiodine solution or a 1 percent to 2 percent quaternary ammonium solution. Do not put any other medications or home remedies on the wound because they can cause infections or tissue damage.
3. Treat any bleeding (see page 160).
Human Bites
Human bites that break the skin can lead to serious infection from bacteria or viruses that can contaminate the wound. All human bites need immediate medical treatment. Treat a human bite as you would an animal bite, and get medical attention immediately.
4. Put a sterile bandage or a clean, dry cloth over the wound.
5. If a body part or skin has been bitten off, try to bring it with you to the emergency department.
Foreign Object in the Ear or Nose
Children often put small objects in their ears or nose. If your child puts an object in his or her ear or nose, do not try to remove it yourself. Take your child to the doctor to have the object removed safely.
To kill a live insect in the ear before it can be removed:
1. Have the person tilt his or her head with the affected ear up. Pull the earlobe gently backward and upward to straighten the ear canal.
2. If you think the eardrum has not been damaged, slowly pour a small amount of warmed mineral, olive, vegetable, or baby oil into the ear. The oil will smother the insect.
3. If the insect floats to the top and you can easily remove it, take it out of the ear with tweezers. If removal seems difficult, have a doctor remove the insect.
Slowly pour a small amount of warm oil into the ear
Minor Cuts and Scrapes
Slight bleeding from a minor cut or scrape usually stops on its own within a few minutes. If blood spurts from a wound or cannot be stopped after applying pressure for a few minutes, the bleeding is severe and requires immediate medical