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Emergency Situations
Bruises
What Is This Emergency?
Bruises (contusions) are usually caused by a bump or fall, which can rupture small blood vessels under the skin. Blood seeps into the surround-ing tissues, causing the black and blue color of a bruise.
Aging and sun damage over the years weaken the tiny veins in the skin. The weakened veins are easily broken. This causes you to bruise more easily as you age. The bruises also take longer to heal.
People who take aspirin or blood thinners (anticoagulants) may bruise easily. A bruise may also develop after blood is drawn.
What Are the Home Treatment Options?
* Apply ice or cold packs for 15 minute intervals constrict hours to help vessels constrict and to reduce swelling. The sooner you apply ice, the less bleeding and bruising will result.
* If possible, elevate the bruised area. Blood will leave the area and there will be less swelling.
* Rest the bruised area so you don't injure it further.
* If the area is still painful after 48 hours, apply heat with warm towels, a hot water bottle, or a heating pad.
* If you bruise easily, ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medications to see if bruising may be a side effect.
Burns
What Is This Emergency?
Burns are injury to the body caused by extreme heat. Bums are classified as first-, second or third-degree depending on their depth.
What Are the Home Treatment Options?
* Run cold tap water over the bum for 10 to 15 minutes. Cold water is the best immediate treatment for minor bums. The cold lowers the skin temperature and lessens the severity of the bum. Do not use ice, as it may further damage the injured skin.
* Remove rings, bracelets, watches, or shoes from the burned limb. Swelling may make them difficult to remove later.
Asthmatic attack
What Is This Emergency?
An asthmatic attack is characterized by periodic attacks of wheezing alternating with periods of relatively normal breathing. Symptoms can occur spontaneously or can be triggered by respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, tobacco smoke or other pollutants, stress or anxiety, or by food allergies or drug allergies. Asthma attacks can last minutes to days, and can become dangerous if the airflow to the lungs becomes severely restricted.
What Are the Home Treatment Options?
Home treatment is restricted to avoiding known allergens and controlling symptoms through medication. Controlling exposure to known allergens includes staying away from cigarette smoke, removing animals from bedrooms or entire houses, and avoiding foods that cause symptoms. All medications for asthma need to be taken under medical guidance. However, all asthmatics need to carry corticosteroid inhalers for emergencies.
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