Illustrated First Aid Guide - Marcia Wendorf [32]
Treatment for Children
1. For infants, allow their stomach to rest for 30 to 60 minutes, then offer small amounts of liquid. For breast-feeding infants, let them nurse, and for bottle-fed infants, offer a small amount of an oral dehydration formula such as Pedialyte and Infalyte, or regular formula.
2. For young children, allow them to rest.
3. When their vomiting stops, offer small amounts of an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte. Do not offer water, which is not absorbed well in children with gastroenteritis, and therefore won’t adequately replace lost fluids. Also, do not give apple juice or milk; they can make diarrhea worse.
4. Gradually introduce bland, easy-to-digest foods, such as toast, rice, bananas and potatoes. Do not give dairy products or sugary foods, such as ice cream, sodas and candy. These can also make diarrhea worse.
5. Administer ibuprofen or acetaminophen for relief of discomfort. Never give a child aspirin.
6. Get medical attention immediately if the child becomes unusually drowsy, vomits blood or has bloody diarrhea.
7. Get medical attention immediately if the child shows signs of dehydration, such as: dry mouth and skin, marked thirst, sunken eyes, crying without tears, the soft spot on the top of an infant’s head becomes sunken, and diapers that remain dry for more than eight hours.
8. Seek medical attention if a child younger than age 2 has a fever for more than one day, or if a child age 2 or older has a fever for more than three days.
Teeth
Contents
Teeth
Toothache
For most children and adults, tooth decay is the primary cause of toothaches. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on the sugars and starches we eat, and form a sticky plaque that clings to the surface of teeth.
Acids produced by these bacteria can eat through the enamel, the hard, white coating on the outside of teeth, creating a cavity. The first symptom of a cavity may be pain when eating something sweet, very cold or very hot. Seek medical attention if symptoms of an infection appear. These include:
• Gum redness
• Swelling
• Pain when biting
• A foul-tasting discharge
• Fever
• Trouble breathing or swallowing
Treatment:
1. Until the person can see their dentist, have them rinse their mouth with warm water.
2. Use dental floss to remove any food particles wedged between teeth.
3. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen to dull the ache.
4. Apply an over-the-counter antiseptic containing benzocaine directly to the tooth and gum to temporarily relieve pain. Oil of cloves (eugenol) can also be used, but do not place aspirin or another painkiller directly against gums, they can burn the gum tissue.
Tooth Loss
If a tooth is knocked out, it can sometimes be re-implanted if the treatment steps below are followed. For those participating in contact sports, a dentist can create a mouth guard that prevents tooth loss.
Treatment:
1. Seek medical attention from a dentist or emergency room immediately.
2. Pick up the tooth without touching the roots.
3. Don’t brush or scrape it to remove debris, this can damage the root.
4. Gently rinse the tooth in a bowl of tap water, do not hold it under running water.
5. Try to replace the tooth in its socket, have the victim gently bite down on a gauze pad or moistened tea bag. Hold the tooth in place until the person can see a dentist.
6. If the tooth can’t be replaced in the socket, place it in a small amount of milk or warm saltwater (1/4 teaspoon salt to 1 quart water).
Women
Contents
Women
Childbirth
Childbirth can be categorized by 3 stages of labor. In the first stage, the mouth of the uterus, or cervix, shortens and dilates to approximately 10 cm. The membranes may rupture causing a blood stained “show”, and contractions begin though they may be irregular and sporadic at first. The second stage begins when the cervix is fully dilated and the mother proceeds with pushing the baby out. This stage ends with the expulsion of the baby. In the third stage , the