First aid at home for the season’s most common issues
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant≠
Cuts, rashes, bites, oh, my!
Summertime — pleasant as it is — can bring a host of seasonal injuries as we’re outside and engaging in seasonal activities. Area experts shared their best tips for summertime first aid.
Whether it’s falling off a bike or stepping on something sharp while barefoot, cuts and scrapes are routine part of a family life. Avoid the traditional approaches of hydrogen peroxide, iodine or rubbing alcohol on wounds as they do more harm than good. Instead, rinse off any debris in the wound with clean water, clean the surrounding area with mild soap.
“Cover open areas with antibiotic ointment and cover to keep it clean,” said Bobbie Rae VanGorder, physician assistant at Oswego Health.
Use a clean red washcloth to clean around the wound to avoid alarming children with the appearance of a blood-soaked cloth.
Seek medical attention for deep, large wounds or bleeding that doesn’t readily stop. These may require further care.
We all know “leaves of three, let them be” as a guide to stay away from poison ivy. However, the oil of the noxious plant can stay active on surfaces for a year or longer and that it can spread through contact such as touching the face with the hands. Wear gardening gloves and if exposed, use “drying agents like TechNu, IvyDry or Caladryl gel or even witch hazel,” VanGorder said. “The itching can be helped by topical methods like hydrocortisone or Benadryl cream, oatmeal or baking soda baths and cold compresses. Orally, you can try Benadryl over-the-counter or any other antihistamine such as Claritin.”
Most of the time, poison ivy rash resolves on its own within two to three weeks. If it’s widespread or involving the face, eyes or genitals, seek medical attention.
Stings and bites can make a summer outing miserable. However, proper first aid can bring relief. VanGorder advised removing the stinger, if possible and keeping the area clean and dry to avoid secondary infection.
“Stings from bees or hornets can be attended to at home, as long as there are no systemic effects like swelling, increasing pain or anaphylaxis,” she added.
She added that over-the-counter treatments and at-home treatments like baking soda pastes can help. Anyone with a known allergy should still visit the emergency department after use of an EpiPen.
Tick bites are on the rise this summer and with them the risk of Lyme disease. As you remove a tick, ensure the tick is removed entirely.
“Call your primary care provider so they can check it,” VanGorder said.
Providers can offer a Lyme disease preventative.
You should apply sunscreen of SPF 30-plus every two hours and after getting out of the water. But if you get sunburnt, Casey Donovan, nurse practitioner with Fulton Primary Care, recommends cool compresses (never directly on the skin), a cool shower, aloe vera lotion/gel cooled in the refrigerator, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, drinking plenty of water and otherwise leaving the area alone.
“If there’s excessive blistering, fevers, nausea, vomiting and confusion, get evaluated just because of the dehydration factor and there can be something more going on,” Donovan said.
In addition to sunburn, too much time in the sun can result in dehydration or a heat illness. Providing the person is breathing and coherent, they should not need emergency care. Donovan advised moving the person to a cooler area and offering fluids, including electrolytes.
“Immediately seek care from a provider if you’re getting confused and nauseated, stop sweating or have muscle cramps,” Donovan said. “That’s an emergency. You’re beyond being treated with oral rehydration at that point.”
Bobbie Alcock, program coordinator of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and coordinator of CNY Medical Reserve Corps at the Onondaga County Health Department, noted that becoming dehydrated can happen to anyone.
“Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, even if you’re not feeling thirsty,” she said. “Aim for about 64 ounces daily and more if it’s extremely hot, you’re spending time outdoors or you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.”
She added that babies, small children and older adults may overheat faster than adults.
“Keep strollers out of direct sunlight and check surfaces before placing your child inside, as they can heat up quickly,” she said. “Skip blanket covers, which trap heat. Instead, use a stroller with a UPF rated canopy.”
Check car seats’ temperature as well. Any major trauma like broken bones, motorized vehicle accidents should be seen immediately. Waiting a long time can worsen problems. Keep a few first aid items packed in the car, including bandages, antibiotic ointment, tick removal kit, instant ice pack, saline and gauze.