1) Anaphylaxis

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can produce shock and life-threatening respiratory distress. In sensitive people, anaphylaxis can occur within seconds or up to several hours after exposure to a specific allergy-causing substance. Almost any allergy-causing substance - including insect venom, pollen, latex, certain foods and drugs - can cause a reaction. Some people have anaphylactic reactions from unknown causes.

If you're extremely sensitive, you might break out in hives and your eyes or lips may swell severely. The inside of your throat may swell as well, even to the point of causing difficulty breathing and shock. Dizziness, mental confusion, abdominal cramping, nausea or vomiting also may accompany a severe allergic reaction.

If you've had an anaphylactic reaction in the past, carry medications with you as an antidote. Epinephrine is the most commonly used drug for severe allergic reactions. Because the effects of epinephrine are only temporary, seek emergency medical attention immediately after using it.

If you observe someone having an allergic reaction with signs of anaphylaxis:

1. Seek emergency medical assistance immediately.
2. Check to see if the person is carrying special medication to inhale, swallow or inject to counter the effects of the allergic attack.

Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the person is not breathing, has no signs of circulation or is completely unconscious.

2) Black Eye

The so-called black eye is caused by bleeding beneath the skin around the eye. Sometimes a black eye indicates a more extensive injury, even a skull fracture, particularly if the area around both eyes is bruised or if there has been head trauma. Although most black-eye injuries aren't serious, bleeding within the eye, called a hyphema, is serious and can reduce vision and damage the cornea. In some cases, glaucoma also can result.

Take these steps to take care of a black eye:

• Using gentle pressure, apply ice or a cold pack to the area around the eye for 10 to 15 minutes. Take care not to press on the eye itself. Apply cold as soon as possible after the injury to reduce swelling.
• Be sure there's no blood in the white and colored parts of the eye.

Seek medical care immediately if you experience vision problems (double vision, blurring), severe pain, or bleeding in the eye or from the nose. 

A bruise forms when a blow breaks small blood vessels near your skin's surface, allowing a small amount of blood to leak out under your skin. The trapped blood appears as a black-and-blue mark. Sometimes, there also are tiny red dots or red splotches.

If your skin isn't broken, you don't need a bandage. You can, however, enhance healing with these simple techniques:

• Elevate the injured area.
• Apply ice or a cold pack for 30 to 60 minutes at a time for a day or two after the injury.

See your doctor if:

• You have unusually large or painful bruises - particularly if your bruises seem to develop for no known reasons.
• You bruise easily and you're experiencing abnormal bleeding elsewhere, such as from your nose or gums, or you notice blood in your eyes or your urine.
• You have no history of bruising but suddenly experience bruises.

These signs and symptoms may indicate a more serious problem, such as a blood-clotting problem or blood-related disease. Bruises accompanied by persistent pain or headache also may indicate a more serious underlying illness and require medical attention.

4)Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) involves a combination of mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and chest compression. CPR keeps oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until appropriate medical treatment can restore a normal heart rhythm.

• Breathing. Mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing is the quickest way to get oxygen into a person's lungs. However, if you're not trained in emergency procedures, doctors recommend skipping mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and proceeding directly to chest compression. The reason is that if you're distracted by trying to perform unfamiliar breathing techniques, valuable lifesaving minutes might be lost for the person who needs help. The most important thing you can do is to proceed directly to chest compression to move blood to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart. If you're trained in emergency procedures, it's important to do both mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and chest compression.
• Chest compression. Chest compressions replace the heartbeat when it has stopped. Compressions help maintain some blood flow to the brain, lungs and heart. You must perform rescue breathing anytime you perform chest compressions.

Before starting CPR, assess the situation:

• Is the person conscious or unconscious?
• If the person appears unconscious, tap or shake his or her shoulder and ask loudly, "Are you OK?"
• If the person doesn't respond, follow the steps below and Call for emergency medical assistance. If you can't leave the scene, have someone else call.

To perform CPR:

1. Position the person so you can check for signs of life by laying the person flat on their back on a firm surface and extending the neck.
2. Open the person's mouth and airway by lifting the chin forward.
3. Determine whether the person is breathing by simultaneously listening for breath sounds, feeling for air motion on your cheek and ear, and looking for chest motion.
4. If the person is not breathing, pinch his or her nostrils closed, make a seal around the mouth and breathe into his or her mouth twice. Give one breath every five seconds - 12 breaths each minute - and completely refill your lungs after each breath.
5. If there are no signs of life - no response, movement or breathing - begin chest compressions. Place your hands over the lower part of the breastbone, keep your elbows straight and position your shoulders directly above your hands to make the best use of your weight.

Push down 1 1/2 to 2 inches at a rate of 80 to 100 times a minute. The pushing down and letting up phase of each cycle should be equal in duration. Don't jab down and relax. After 15 compressions, breathe into the person's mouth twice.

After every four cycles of 15 compressions and two breaths, recheck for signs of life. Continue the rescue maneuvers as long as there are no signs of life.

To perform CPR on a baby:

• Cover the mouth and nose with your mouth.
• Give one breath for every five chest compressions.
• Compress the chest 1/2 to 1 inch at least 100 times a minute, using only two fingers.

The above is just a brief description of CPR. To learn CPR, take a first-aid training course. Many organizations, such s the Red Cross and the American Heart Association, sponsor such courses.

5) Chemical splash in the eye

If a chemical splashes into your eye, take these steps:

• Flush the eye with water immediately. Any source of clean drinking water will do. It's more important to begin flushing than it is to find sterile water. Flushing with water will dilute the chemical. Continue to flush the eye for at least 20 minutes, particularly if your eye is exposed to household cleaners that contain ammonia.
• Cover the eye. After washing the eye thoroughly, close the eyelid and cover it with a loose, moist dressing.
• Seek emergency medical assistance. Take the chemical container with you to the emergency room or write the chemical name on a slip of paper to take with you.

6) Choking

In adults, choking is often the result of inadequately chewed food becoming lodged in the throat or windpipe. Solid foods such as meat are frequently the cause.

These factors increase the risk of choking:

• Talking while simultaneously chewing a piece of meat.
• Drinking alcohol while eating.
• Wearing dentures. Because dentures exert less chewing pressure than natural teeth and they interfere with the way food feels in the mouth, they make it more difficult to thoroughly chew food.

Young children tend to put into their mouths almost anything that fits, so choking can occur unassociated with a meal.

Panic accompanies choking. The choking victim's face often assumes an expression of fear or terror. At first the victim may turn purple, the eyes may bulge, and he or she may wheeze or gasp.

If the person can cough freely, has normal skin color and can speak, he or she is not choking. If the cough is more like a gasp and the person is turning blue, he or she is probably choking. If in doubt, ask the choking person if he or she can talk. If the person can speak, then the windpipe is not completely blocked and oxygen is reaching the lungs. If choking is occurring, begin to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

To perform the Heimlich maneuver on someone else:

• Stand behind the choking person and wrap your arms around his or her waist. Bend the person slightly forward.
• Make a fist with one hand and place it slightly above the person's navel.
• Grasp your fist with the other hand and press hard into the abdomen with a quick, upward thrust. Repeat this procedure until the object is expelled from the airway.

To perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself:

• Position your own fist slightly above your navel.
• Grasp your fist with your other hand and bend over a hard surface - a countertop or chair will do.
• Shove your fist inward and upward.

Clearing the airway of a pregnant woman or obese person:

• Position your hands a little bit higher than with a normal Heimlich maneuver, at the base of the breastbone, just above the joining of the lowest ribs.
• Proceed as with the Heimlich maneuver, pressing hard into the chest, with a quick thrust.
• Repeat until the food or other blockage is dislodged or the person becomes unconscious.

Clearing the airway of an unconscious person:

• Position the person on his or her back, look inside the mouth and sweep the area with your finger to see if you can remove the blockage.
• If not, kneel over the person and apply upward thrusts to the upper abdomen.
• Repeat the process as necessary. Look inside the mouth again and sweep the area with your finger to try to remove the blockage. Then kneel over the person and apply upward thrusts to the upper abdomen.

Clearing the airway of a choking infant:

• Assume a seated position and hold the infant facedown on your forearm, which is resting on your thigh.
• Thump the infant gently but firmly five times on the middle of the back using the heel of your hand. The combination of gravity and the back blows should release the blocking object.
• If this doesn't work, hold the infant face up on your forearm with the head lower than the trunk. Using two fingers placed at the center of the infant's breastbone, give five quick chest compressions.
• If breathing doesn't resume, repeat the back blows and chest thrusts. Call for emergency medical help.
• If one of these techniques opens the airway but the infant doesn't resume breathing, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

The universal sign for choking is a hand clutched to the throat, with thumb and fingers extended. If a person displays this sign, call for emergency medical assistance. Don't leave the person unattended.

If some food "goes down the wrong pipe," the coughing reflex often will resolve the problem. If it doesn't, you'll need to help the victim remove the airway obstruction.

To prepare yourself for such situations, learn the Heimlich maneuver in a certified first-aid training course.

7) Cuts and scrapes

Minor cuts and scrapes usually don't require a trip to the emergency room. Yet proper care is essential to avoid infection or other complications. These guidelines can help you care for simple wounds:

1. Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If they don't, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Hold the pressure continuously for 20 to 30 minutes. Don't keep checking to see if the bleeding has stopped because this may damage the fresh clot that's forming and cause bleeding to resume. If the blood spurts or continues to flow after continuous pressure, seek medical assistance.
2. Clean the wound. Rinse out the wound with clear water. Soap can irritate the wound, so try to keep it out of the actual wound. If dirt or debris remains in the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. If debris remains embedded in the wound after cleaning, see your doctor. Thorough wound cleaning reduces the risk of tetanus. To clean the area around the wound, use soap and a washcloth. There's no need to use hydrogen peroxide, iodine or an iodine-containing cleanser. These substances irritate living cells. If you choose to use them, don't apply them directly on the wound.
3. Apply an antibiotic. After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin to help keep the surface moist. The products don't make the wound heal faster, but they can discourage infection and allow your body's healing process to close the wound more efficiently. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment.
4. Cover the wound. Exposure to air speeds healing, but bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out.
5. Change the dressing. Change the dressing at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty. If you're allergic to the adhesive used in most bandages, switch to adhesive-free dressings or sterile gauze held in place with paper tape, gauze roll or a loosely applied elastic bandage. These supplies generally are available at pharmacies.
6. Get stitches for deep wounds. A wound that cuts deeply through the skin or is gaping or jagged-edged and has fat or muscle protruding may require stitches. A strip or two of surgical tape may hold a minor cut together, but if you can't easily close the mouth of the wound, see your doctor. Proper closure minimizes scarring and infection.
7. Watch for signs of infection. See your doctor if the wound isn't healing or you notice any redness, drainage, warmth or swelling.
8. Get a tetanus shot. Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your wound is deep or dirty and your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster. Get the booster within 48 hours of the injury.

8) Electrical burns

An electrical burn may appear minor, but the damage can extend deep into the tissues beneath your skin. If a strong electrical current passes through your body, internal damage such as a heart rhythm disturbance or cardiac arrest can occur.

Sometimes the jolt associated with the electrical injury can cause you to be thrown or to fall, resulting in fractures or other associated injuries. Call for emergency medical assistance.

While helping someone with an electrical burn and waiting for medical help, follow these steps:

1. Look first. Don't touch. The person may still be in contact with the electrical source. Touching the person may pass the current through you.
2. Turn off the source of electricity if possible. If not, move the source away from you and the affected person using a non-conducting object made of cardboard, plastic or wood.
3. Check for breathing. Once the person is free of the source of electricity, ensure the person is breathing. If breathing has stopped or you suspect the person's airway is blocked, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
4. Cover the affected areas. If the person is breathing, cover any burned areas with a sterile gauze bandage, if available, or a clean cloth. Don't use a blanket or towel. Fluffy fibers can be irritating.

9) Fainting

Fainting occurs when the blood supply to your brain is momentarily inadequate, causing you to lose consciousness. The loss of consciousness is usually brief.

Fainting can have no medical significance, or the cause can be a serious disorder. Therefore, treat loss of consciousness as a medical emergency until the signs and symptoms are relieved and the cause is known.

If you feel faint:

• Lie down or sit down.
• If you sit down, place your head between your knees.

Discuss recurrent fainting spells with your doctor.

If someone else faints:

1. Position the person on his or her back. Make sure the legs are elevated above the heart level.
2. Watch the airway carefully. People who lose consciousness may vomit.
3. Check for breathing. Position your ear over the person's mouth to listen for breathing sounds. If breathing has stopped, the problem is more serious than a fainting spell. Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Get emergency medical care.
4. Help restore blood flow. If the person is breathing, restore blood flow to the brain by raising the person's legs above the level of the head. Loosen belts, collars or other constrictive clothing. The person should revive quickly. If the person doesn't regain consciousness in 1 to 2 minutes,Call for emergency medical assistance.

If the person was injured in a fall associated with a faint, treat any bumps, bruises or cuts appropriately. Control bleeding with direct pressure.

10) Food-borne illness

All foods naturally contain small amounts of bacteria. But poor handling of food, improper cooking or inadequate storage can result in bacteria multiplying in great enough numbers to cause illness.

Parasites, viruses, toxins and chemicals also can contaminate food. Food-borne illness from these sources, however, is less common than food-borne illness caused by bacteria.

Signs and symptoms of food poisoning vary with the source of contamination. Generally diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain and sometimes vomiting occur within hours after eating contaminated food.

Whether you become ill after eating contaminated food depends on the organism, the amount of exposure, your age and your health. High-risk groups include:

• Older adults. As you get older, your immune system may not respond as quickly and effectively to infectious organisms as when you were younger.
• Infants and young children. Their immune systems haven't fully developed.
• People with chronic disease. Having a chronic condition, such as diabetes or AIDS, or receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer reduces your immune response.

If you develop food poisoning:

• Rest and drink plenty of liquids.
• Don't use anti-diarrheal medications because they may slow elimination of bacteria from your system.

Food-borne illness often improves on its own.

call for emergency medical assistance if:

• You have severe symptoms, such as watery diarrhea that turns bloody within 24 hours.
• You belong to a high-risk group.
• You suspect botulism poisoning. Botulism is a potentially fatal food poisoning that results from the ingestion of a toxin formed by certain spores in food. Botulism toxin is most often found in home-canned foods, especially green beans and tomatoes. Signs and symptoms usually begin 12 to 36 hours after eating the contaminated food and may include headache, blurred vision, muscle weakness and eventual paralysis. Some people also have nausea and vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, difficulty breathing and dry mouth. These signs and symptoms require immediate medical attention.

11) Foreign object in the ear

An object stuck in your ear can cause pain and hearing loss. Usually you know if something is stuck in your ear, but small children may not be aware of it.

If an object becomes lodged in the ear, follow these steps:

• Don't probe your ear with a tool. Don't attempt to remove the foreign object by probing with a cotton swab, matchstick or any other tool. To do so is to risk pushing the object farther into the ear and damaging the fragile structures of the middle ear.
• Remove the object if possible. If the object is clearly visible, is pliable and can be grasped easily with tweezers, gently remove it.
• Try using gravity. Tilt the head to the affected side. Don't strike the person's head, but shake it gently in the direction of the ground to try to dislodge the object.
• Try using oil for an insect. If the foreign object is an insect, tilt the person's head so that the ear with the offending insect is upward. Try to float the insect out by pouring mineral oil, olive oil or baby oil into the ear. The oil should be warm but not hot. As you pour the oil, you can ease the entry of the oil by straightening the ear canal. Pull the ear lobe gently backward and upward for an adult, backward and downward for a child. The insect should suffocate and may float out in the oil bath.
• Don't use oil to remove any object other than an insect. Do not use this method if there is any suspicion of a perforation in the eardrum - pain, bleeding or discharge from the ear.

If these methods fail or the person continues to experience pain in the ear, reduced hearing or a sensation of something lodged in the ear, seek medical assistance.

12) Foreign object in the nose

If a foreign object becomes lodged in your nose:

• Don't probe at the object with a cotton swab or other tool.
• Don't try to inhale the object by forcefully breathing in. Instead, breathe through your mouth until the object is removed.
• Blow your nose gently to try to free the object, but don't blow hard or repeatedly. If necessary, close the opposite nostril by applying gentle pressure and then breathe out normally.
• If the object is visible and you can easily grasp it with tweezers, gently remove it.
• Call for emergency medical assistance or go to your local emergency room if these methods fail

13) Foreign object swallowed

If you swallow a foreign object, it will usually pass through your digestive system uneventfully. However, some objects can lodge in your esophagus, the tube that connects your throat and stomach. If an object is stuck in your esophagus, you may need to remove it, especially if it is:

• A pointed object, which should be removed as quickly as possible to avoid further injury to the esophageal lining
• A tiny watch- or calculator-type button battery, which can rapidly cause local tissue injury and should be removed from the esophagus without delay

If a swallowed object blocks the airway:

• Use the Heimlich maneuver to try to remove the object if the person is having trouble breathing.
• Call for emergency medical assistance or go to your local emergency room.

To perform the Heimlich maneuver on someone else:

• Stand behind the choking person and wrap your arms around his or her waist. Bend the person slightly forward.
• Make a fist with one hand and place it slightly above the person's navel.
• Grasp your fist with the other hand and press hard into the abdomen with a quick, upward thrust. Repeat this procedure until the object is expelled from the airway.

To perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself:

• Position your own fist slightly above your navel.
• Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust upward into your abdomen until the object is expelled, or lean forward over the back of a chair to produce this effect.

If you have questions about the care of a person who has swallowed a foreign object, talk to your doctor.

14) Frostbite

When exposed to very cold temperatures, skin and underlying tissues may freeze, resulting in frostbite. The areas most likely to be affected are your hands, feet, nose and ears.

You can identify frostbite by the hard, pale and cold quality of the skin that has been exposed to the cold. As the area thaws, the flesh becomes red and painful.

If your fingers, ears or other areas are frostbitten:

1. Get out of the cold.
2. Warm your hands by tucking them into your armpits. If your nose, ears or face is frostbitten, warm the area by covering it with dry, gloved hands.
3. Don't rub the affected area, especially with snow.
4. If there's any chance of refreezing, don't thaw out the affected areas. If they're already thawed out, wrap them up so they don't refreeze.
5. Get emergency medical help if numbness remains during warming. If you can't get help immediately, warm severely frostbitten hands or feet in warm - not hot - water.

15) Head pain

Most headaches are minor, and you can treat them with a pain reliever. Some headaches, however, signal a dangerous or serious medical problem. Don't ignore an unexplained headache or one that steadily worsens. Get medical attention right away if your headache:

• Strikes suddenly and severely
• Accompanies a fever, stiff neck, rash, mental confusion, seizures, changes in vision, dizziness, weakness, loss of balance, numbness or difficulty speaking
• Is severe and follows a recent sore throat or respiratory infection
• Worsens after a head injury, fall or bump
• Is a new pain, and you're older than age 55
• Persists for several days

16) Heart attack

A heart attack occurs when one or more arteries supplying your heart with blood and oxygen become blocked. This loss of blood flow injures your heart muscle. A heart attack generally causes chest pain for longer than 15 minutes, but it can also be silent and have no symptoms at all.

About half the people who suffer a heart attack have warning symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. The earliest predictor of an attack may be recurrent chest pain that's triggered by exertion and relieved by rest.

The American Heart Association lists these warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Be aware that you may not have all of them and that symptoms may come and go.

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing pain in the center of your chest, lasting more than a few minutes
• Pain spreading to your shoulders, neck or arms
• Lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath

If you suspect a heart attack, even if it feels like indigestion, act immediately:

1. Call emergency medical assistance. The operator contacts the emergency medical services ( EMS) system. call the emergency medical response system. It's usually better to call these emergency numbers first. Calling your doctor may add unnecessary time. When you call, describe symptoms such as severe shortness of breath or chest pain. This ensures a priority dispatch of EMS responders (paramedics) trained in basic and advanced cardiac life support. Most EMS units carry a portable defibrillator, a device that restores normal heart rhythm by delivering electrical shocks. Defibrillators can be critical to early successful treatment and survival. Many police and fire rescue units also carry defibrillators and may respond before an ambulance does.
2. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If the person you're calling about is unconscious, an emergency dispatcher may advise you to begin emergency treatment. If you're not trained in emergency procedures, doctors recommend skipping mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and proceeding directly to chest compression. The reason is that if you're distracted by trying to perform unfamiliar breathing techniques, valuable lifesaving minutes might be lost for the person who needs help. The most important thing you can do is to proceed directly to chest compression to move blood to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart. If you're trained in emergency procedures, it's important to do both mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and chest compression.
3. Decide on the fastest method of transportation. A dispatcher automatically notifies the closest well-equipped EMS unit. Ideally, EMS responders should reach you within 4 to 5 minutes. If you live in a rural or large metropolitan area, however, you may get to the hospital faster by having someone drive you. Don't drive yourself!
4. Go to the nearest emergency cardiac care facility. Identify in advance the nearest center staffed 24 hours a day with doctors trained to provide emergency cardiac care.
5. Chew aspirin. Aspirin inhibits blood clotting, which helps maintain blood flow through a narrowed artery. If you think you're having a heart attack, take one regular-strength aspirin and chew it to speed absorption. Avoid aspirin if you are allergic to it or if you have bleeding problems. Don't delay calling for emergency help just because you've taken aspirin. Aspirin alone won't treat your heart attack.

17) Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is one of the heat-related syndromes, which range in severity from mild heat cramps to heat exhaustion to potentially life-threatening heatstroke.

Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion often begin suddenly, sometimes after excessive exercise, heavy perspiration and inadequate fluid intake. Signs and symptoms resemble those of shock and include:

• Feeling faint
• Nausea
• Ashen appearance
• Rapid heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Hot, red, dry or sweaty skin
• Low-grade fever, generally less than 104 F

If you suspect heat exhaustion:

• Get the person out of the sun and into a shady or air-conditioned location.
• Lay the person down and elevate the feet slightly.
• Loosen or remove the person's clothing.
• Have the person drink cool water, not iced, or a sports drink containing electrolytes.
• Cool the person by spraying him or her with cool water and fanning.
• Monitor the person carefully. Heat exhaustion can quickly become heatstroke. If fever - especially greater than 104 F, fainting, confusion or seizures occur, call for emergency medical assistance.

18) Human bites

Human bites can be as dangerous or more dangerous than animal bites because of the types of bacteria and viruses contained in the human mouth. If someone accidentally cuts his or her knuckles on another person's teeth, as might happen in a fight, this is also considered a human bite.

If you sustain a human bite that breaks the skin:

1. Stop the bleeding by applying pressure.
2. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
3. Apply an antibiotic cream to prevent infection.
4. Apply a clean bandage.
5. Get emergency medical care.

If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the past 10 years, you'll need a booster.

19) Insect bites and stings

Signs and symptoms of an insect bite result from the injection of venom or other substances into your skin. The venom triggers an allergic (immune) reaction. The severity of your reaction depends on your sensitivity to the insect venom or substance.

Most reactions are mild, causing little more than an annoying itching or stinging sensation and mild swelling that disappear within a day or so. A delayed reaction may cause fever, painful joints, hives and swollen glands. You might experience both the immediate and the delayed reactions from the same bite or sting. Only a small percentage of people develop severe reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect venom. Signs and symptoms of a severe reaction include facial swelling, difficulty breathing, and shock.

Bites from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants are typically the most troublesome. Bites from mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies and some spiders also can cause reactions, but these are generally milder.

For mild reactions:

• Move to a safe area to avoid more stings.
• Scrape or brush off the stinger with a straight-edged object, such as a credit card or the back of a knife. Swab the site with disinfectant. Don't try to pull out the stinger with a tweezer or with your fingers; doing so may release more venom.
• To reduce pain and swelling, apply ice or a cold pack.
• Apply 0.5 percent or 1 percent hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion or a baking soda paste to the bite or sting several times a day until your symptoms subside.
• Take an antihistamine containing diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Tylenol Severe Allergy) or chlorpheniramine maleate (Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin).

For severe reactions:

Severe reactions may progress rapidly. Call for emergency medical assistance if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of your lips or throat
• Faintness
• Confusion
• Rapid heartbeat
• Hives
• Nausea, cramps and vomiting

While waiting for emergency transportation:

1. Have the person lie down.
2. If the person is unconscious and breathing, lay the person on his or her side to allow drainage from the mouth.
3. If there's no breathing, movement or response to touch, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
4. Check to see if the person is carrying an allergy kit containing epinephrine. Follow instructions on the kit.
5. Watch for and treat signs of shock.

Less severe allergic reactions include mild nausea and intestinal cramps, diarrhea or swelling larger than 2 inches in diameter at the site. See your physician promptly if you experience any of these signs and symptoms.

20) Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are common. Most often they are a nuisance and not a true medical problem. But they can be both. Why do they start, and how can they be stopped?

Among children and young adults, nosebleeds usually begin on the septum, just inside the nose. The septum separates your nasal chambers.

In middle aged and older adults, nosebleeds can begin on the septum, but they may also begin deeper in the nose's interior. This latter form of nosebleed is much less common. It may be caused by hardened arteries or high blood pressure. These nosebleeds begin spontaneously and are often difficult to stop. They require a specialist's help.

To take care of a nosebleed:

• Sit upright. By remaining upright, you reduce blood pressure in the veins of your nose. This discourages further bleeding.
• Pinch your nose. Use your thumb and index finger and breathe through your mouth. Continue the pinch for 5 or 10 minutes. This maneuver sends pressure to the bleeding point on the nasal septum and often stops the flow of blood.
• To prevent re-bleeding after bleeding has stopped, don't pick or blow your nose and don't bend down until several hours after the bleeding episode. Keep your head higher than the level of your heart.
• If re-bleeding occurs, sniff in forcefully to clear your nose of blood clots, spray both sides of your nose with a decongestant nasal spray containing oxymetazoline (Afrin, Dristan, others). Pinch your nose again in the technique described above and call your doctor.

Seek medical care immediately if:

• The bleeding lasts for more than 15 to 30 minutes
• You feel weak or faint, which can result from the blood loss
• The bleeding is rapid or if the amount of blood loss is great
• Bleeding begins by trickling down the back of your throat

If you experience frequent nosebleeds, make an appointment with your doctor. You may need to have the blood vessel that's causing your problem cauterized. Cautery is a technique in which the blood vessel is burned with electric current, silver nitrate or a laser. Sometimes, your doctor may pack your nose with special gauze or an inflatable latex balloon to put pressure on the blood vessel and stop the bleeding.

21) Puncture wounds

A puncture wound doesn't usually cause excessive bleeding. Often there's little bleeding, and the wound seems to close almost instantly. But these features don't mean treatment isn't necessary, though.

A puncture wound - such as from stepping on a nail or being stuck with a tack - can be dangerous because of the risk of infection. The object that caused the wound may carry spores of tetanus or other bacteria, especially if the object had been exposed to the soil. Puncture wounds resulting from human or animal bites, including those of domestic dogs and cats, may be especially prone to infection. If the bite was deep enough to draw blood and the bleeding persists, seek medical attention. Otherwise, follow these steps:

1. Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If they don't, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. If bleeding persists - if the blood spurts or continues to flow after several minutes of pressure - seek emergency assistance.
2. Clean the wound. Rinse the wound well with clear water. A tweezers cleaned with alcohol may be used to remove small, superficial particles. If larger debris still remains more deeply embedded in the wound, see your doctor. Thorough wound cleaning reduces the risk of tetanus. To clean the area around the wound, use soap and a washcloth. You can also use hydrogen peroxide, iodine or an iodine-containing cleanser, but these substances are irritating to living cells. Don't apply them directly to the wound itself.
3. Apply an antibiotic. After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment (Neosporin, Polysporin) to help keep the surface moist. These products don't make the wound heal faster, but they can discourage infection and allow your body's healing factors to close the wound more efficiently. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment.
4. Cover the wound. Exposure to air speeds healing, but bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out.
5. Change the dressing regularly. Do so at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty. If you're allergic to the adhesive used in most bandages, switch to adhesive-free dressings or sterile gauze and hypoallergenic paper tape, which doesn't cause allergic reactions. These supplies are generally available at pharmacies.
6. Watch for signs of infection. See your doctor if the wound doesn't heal or if you notice any redness, drainage, warmth or swelling.

If the puncture is deep, contaminated or the result of an animal or human bite, see your doctor. He or she will evaluate the wound, clean it and, if possible, close it. If you haven't had a tetanus shot within 5 years, your doctor may recommend a booster. In this case you should have the booster within 48 hours of the injury.

If an animal - especially a stray dog or a wild animal - inflicted the wound, you may have been exposed to rabies. Your doctor may give you antibiotics and suggest initiation of a rabies vaccination series. Report such incidents to county public health officials. In addition, the animal should be confined for 10 days of observation by a veterinarian.

22) Shock

Shock may result from trauma, heatstroke, allergic reactions, severe infection, poisoning or other causes. Various signs and symptoms appear in a person experiencing shock:

• The skin is cool and clammy and may appear pale or gray.
• The pulse is weak and rapid. Breathing may be slow and shallow, or hyperventilation with rapid breathing may occur. Blood pressure is below normal.
• The eyes lack luster and may seem to stare. Sometimes the pupils are dilated.
• The person may be conscious or unconscious. If conscious, the person may feel faint or be very weak or confused. Shock sometimes causes a person to become overly excited and anxious.

If you suspect shock, even if the person seems normal after an injury:

1. Have the person lie down on his or her back and elevate the feet higher than the head. Keep the person from moving unnecessarily.
2. Look for the signs of shock as noted above.
3. Keep the person warm and comfortable. Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Don't give the person anything to drink.
4. If the person vomits or bleeds from the mouth, turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking.
5. Treat any injuries, such as bleeding or broken bones, appropriately.
6. Call for emergency medical assistance.

23) Spider bites

Clean the site well with soap and water. Apply a cool compress over the bite location. Aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may be used to relieve minor signs and symptoms in adults. Don't give aspirin to children. Give children acetaminophen instead. Treatment in a medical facility may be necessary for children less than 6 years old and for adults with severe signs and symptoms.

If bitten by a brown recluse or black widow spider

1. If possible, make a positive identification. If the bite is on an arm or a leg, tie a snug bandage above the bite to help slow or halt the venom's spread. Ensure that the bandage is not so tight as to cut off circulation in the arm or the leg.
2. Use a cold cloth at the bite location. Apply to the bite a cloth dampened with cold water or filled with ice.
3. Seek immediate medical attention. Treatment for a black widow bite may require an anti-venom medication. Doctors may treat a brown recluse bite with corticosteroids

Only a few spiders are dangerous to humans. Two that are present in the contiguous United States and common in the Southern states are the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. Both prefer warm climates and dark, dry places where flies are plentiful. They often live in dry, littered and undisturbed areas, such as in closets, in woodpiles and under sinks.

Black widow spider
The female black widow gives the more serious bite. The bite of a black widow spider is rarely lethal. You can identify this spider by the red hourglass marking on its belly. The bite feels like a pinprick. You may not even know you've been bitten. At first you may notice only slight swelling and faint red marks. Within a few hours, though, intense pain and stiffness begin. Other signs and symptoms include:

• Chills
• Fever
• Nausea

Severe abdominal pain

Brown recluse spider
You can identify this spider by the violin-shaped marking on its top. The bite produces a mild stinging, followed by local redness and intense pain within eight hours. A fluid-filled blister forms at the site and then sloughs off to leave a deep, growing ulcer. Reactions vary from a mild fever and rash to nausea and listlessness. On rare occasions death results, more often in children.

24) Sprain

Your ligaments are tough, elastic-like bands that attach to your bones and hold your joints in place. A sprain is an injury to a ligament caused by excessive stretching. The ligament can have tears in it, or it can be completely torn apart.

Sprains occur most often in your ankles, knees or the arches of your feet. Sprained ligaments swell rapidly and are painful. Generally the greater the pain, the more severe the injury. For most minor sprains, you can probably treat the injury yourself.

Follow the instructions for P.R.I.C.E.

1. Protect the injured limb from further injury by not using the joint. You can do this using anything from splints to crutches.
2. Rest the injured limb. But don't avoid all activity. Even with an ankle sprain, you can usually still exercise other muscles to prevent deconditioning. For example, you can use an exercise bicycle, working both your arms and the uninjured leg while resting the injured ankle on the bike peg. That way you still get three-limb exercise to keep up your cardiovascular conditioning.
3. Ice the area. Using a cold pack, a slush bath or a compression sleeve filled with cold water all limit swelling after an injury. Try to apply ice as soon as possible after the injury. If you use ice, be careful not to use it for too long as this could cause tissue damage.
4. Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage. Compressive wraps or sleeves made from elastic or neoprene are best.
5. Elevate the injured limb whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling.

Call for emergency medical assistance if:

• You heard a popping sound when your joint was injured or you can't use the joint. This may mean the ligament was completely torn apart. On the way to the doctor, apply a cold pack.
• You have a fever, and the area is red and hot. You may have an infection.
• You have a severe sprain. Inadequate or delayed treatment may cause long-term joint instability or chronic pain.
• You aren't improving after the first two or three days.

25) Sunburn

Signs and symptoms of sunburn usually appear within a few hours of exposure, bringing pain, redness, swelling and occasional blistering. Because exposure often affects a large area of your skin, sunburn can cause headache, fever and fatigue.

If you have a sunburn:

• Take a cool bath or shower.
• Apply an aloe vera lotion several times a day.
• Leave blisters intact to speed healing and avoid infection. If they burst, apply an antibacterial ointment on the open areas. Cover with a sterile gauze bandage.
• If needed, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

If your sunburn begins to blister or if you experience immediate complications, such as rash, itching or fever, see your doctor.

26) Toothache

Tooth decay is the primary cause of toothaches for most children and adults. Bacteria that live in your mouth thrive on the sugars and starches in the food you eat. These bacteria form a sticky plaque that clings to the surface of your teeth.

Acids produced by the bacteria in plaque can eat through the hard, white coating on the outside of your teeth (enamel), creating a cavity. The first sign of decay may be a sensation of pain when you eat something sweet, very cold or very hot. A toothache often indicates that your dentist will need to work on your teeth.

Until you can see your dentist, try these self-care tips:

• Use dental floss to remove any food particles wedged between your teeth.
• Try sucking on an ice cube placed in the area of irritation. Sometimes ice may not help, though, and may even make pain worse.
• Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever to dull the ache.
• Apply an OTC antiseptic containing benzocaine directly to the irritated tooth and gum to temporarily relieve pain. Direct application of oil of cloves (eugenol) also may help. Don't place aspirin or other painkiller directly against your gums as it may burn your gum tissue.

Swelling, pain when you bite, a foul-tasting discharge and redness indicate infection. See your dentist as soon as possible.

Call your dentist if:

• The pain persists for more than a day or two
• You have fever with the toothache
• You have trouble breathing or swallowing

27) Animal bites

Domestic pets cause most animal bites. Dogs are more likely to bite than cats. Cat bites, however, are more likely to cause infection. Bites from nonimmunized domestic animals and wild animals carry the risk of rabies. Rabies is more common in raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes than in cats and dogs. Rabbits, squirrels and other rodents rarely carry rabies. If an animal bites you or your child, follow these guidelines:

• For minor wounds. If the bite barely breaks the skin, treat it as a minor wound. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic cream to prevent infection and cover the bite with a clean bandage.
• For deep wounds. If the bite creates a deep puncture of the skin or the skin is badly torn and bleeding, apply pressure to stop the bleeding and see your doctor.
• For infection. If you notice signs of infection such as swelling, redness, increased pain or oozing, see your doctor immediately.
• For suspected rabies. If you suspect the bite was caused by an animal that might carry rabies - any bite from a wild or domestic animal of unknown immunization status - see your doctor immediately.

Doctors recommend getting a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your last one was more than five years ago and your wound is deep or dirty, your doctor may recommend a booster. You should have the booster within 48 hours of the injury

28) Blisters

Common causes of blisters include friction and burns. If the blister isn't too painful, do everything possible to keep it intact. Unbroken skin over a blister provides a natural barrier to bacteria and decreases the risk of infection. Cover the blister with a small adhesive bandage to protect it.

If the blister is painful, drain the fluid while leaving the overlying skin intact. Here's how:

• Wash your hands and the blister with warm water and soap.
• Swab the blister with rubbing alcohol.
• Sterilize a clean, sharp needle by wiping it with rubbing alcohol.
• Use the needle to puncture the blister. Aim for several spots near the blister's edge. Let the fluid drain, but leave the overlying skin in place.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment to the blister and cover with a bandage.
• Use tweezers and scissors sterilized with rubbing alcohol to cut away all the dead skin after several days. Apply more ointment.

Call your doctor if you see signs of infection around a blister - pus, redness, increasing pain or warm skin.

To prevent a blister, use gloves, socks, a bandage or similar protective covering over the area being rubbed. Special athletic socks that have extra padding in critical areas are available. You might also try attaching moleskin to the inside of your shoes where it might rub, such as your heels.

Remember the following when you shop for shoes:

• Shop during the middle of the day. Your feet swell throughout the day, so a midday fitting will probably give you the best fit.
• Measure your feet. Shoe sizes change throughout adulthood.
• Measure both feet and try on both shoes. If your feet differ in size, buy the larger size.
• Go for flexible but supportive shoes with cushioned insoles.
• Be sure that you can comfortably wiggle your toes.

29) Burns

To distinguish a minor burn from a serious burn, the first step is to determine the degree and the extent of damage to body tissues. These three classifications will help you determine emergency care:

First-degree

The least serious burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin (epidermis) is burned. The skin is usually red, with swelling and pain sometimes present. The outer layer of skin hasn't been burned through. Treat a first-degree burn as a minor burn unless it involves substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks or a major joint.

Second-degree

When the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) also is burned, the injury is termed second-degree burn. Blisters develop and the skin takes on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance. Second-degree burns produce severe pain and swelling.

If the second-degree burn is no larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. If the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks or over a major joint, get medical help immediately.

For minor burns, including second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, take the following action:

• Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cold running water for 15 minutes. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cold water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn.
• Consider a lotion. Once a burn is completely cooled, applying an aloe vera lotion, a triple antibiotic ointment or a moisturizer prevents drying and makes you feel more comfortable.
• Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don't use fluffy cotton, which may irritate the skin. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the area, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

Minor burns usually heal in about one to two weeks without further treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different color from the surrounding skin. Watch for signs of infection such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old - doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.

Caution

• Don't use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause frostbite, further damaging your skin.
• Don't break blisters. Fluid-filled blisters protect against infection. If blisters break, wash the area with mild soap and water, then apply an antibiotic ointment and a gauze bandage. Clean and change dressings daily. Antibiotic ointments don't make the burn heal faster, but they can discourage infection. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment. If it's a major burn, don't apply any ointment at all (see below).

Third-degree

The most serious burns are painless and involve all layers of the skin. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn.

For major burns, Call for emergency medical assistance. Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps:

1. Don't remove burnt clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.
2. Make sure the burn victim is breathing. If breathing has stopped or you suspect the person's airway is blocked, try to clear the airway and, if necessary, do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
3. Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist sterile bandage or clean cloth.

30) Chemical burns

1. Remove the cause of the burn by flushing the chemicals off the skin surface with cool, running water for 20 minutes or more. If the burning chemical is a powder-like substance such as lime, brush it off the skin before flushing.
2. Remove clothing or jewelry that has been contaminated by the chemical.
3. Consider using a lotion, such as one containing aloe vera, to prevent drying and to make the skin feel more comfortable.
4. Wrap the burned area with a dry, sterile dressing or a clean cloth.
5. Rinse the burn again for several more minutes if the victim complains of increased burning after the initial washing.

Minor chemical burns usually heal without further treatment.

Seek emergency medical assistance if:

• The victim has signs of shock, such as fainting, pale complexion or breathing in a notably shallow manner.
• The chemical burned through the first layer of skin and the resulting second-degree burn covers an area more than 2 to 3 inches in diameter.
• The chemical burn occurred on the eye, hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks or over a major joint.

If you seek emergency assistance, bring the chemical container or a complete description of the substance with you for identification.

31) Chest pain

• Heart Attack
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Pneumonia with pleurisy
• Chest wall pain

The specific cause of chest pain is often difficult to interpret. Causes of the pain can vary from minor problems, such as indigestion or stress, to serious medical emergencies, such as a heart attack or pulmonary embolism.

As with other sudden, unexplained pain, chest pain may be a signal for you to get medical help. Use the following information to help you determine whether your chest pain is a medical emergency.

HEART:

A heart attack occurs when an artery that supplies oxygen to your heart muscle becomes blocked. A heart attack generally causes chest pain for more than 15 minutes. But a heart attack can also be silent and produce no symptoms.

About half the people who suffer a heart attack have warning symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. The earliest predictor of an attack may be recurrent chest pain that's triggered by exertion and relieved by rest.

The American Heart Association lists these warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Be aware that you may not have all of them and that these signs and symptoms may come and go.

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing pain in the center of your chest lasting more than a few minutes
• Pain spreading to your shoulders, neck or arms
• Lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath

If you or someone else may be having a heart attack:

• call for emergency medical assistance. Paramedics can begin treatment as soon as they arrive, even before you get to the hospital. If you live in a rural or large metropolitan area, emergency medical assistance personnel may advise you that it's faster for you to drive the person suspected of having a heart attack to the hospital. If you think you're having a heart attack, never drive yourself.
• Chew aspirin. While you're waiting for emergency assistance, take one regular-strength aspirin and chew it to speed absorption.
• Begin CPR. If the person suspected of having a heart attack is unconscious, a dispatcher or another emergency medical specialist may advise you to begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Even if you're not trained, a dispatcher can instruct you in CPR until help arrives.

Pulmonary Embolism

An embolus is an accumulation of foreign material - usually a blood clot - that blocks an artery. Tissue death occurs when the tissue supplied by the blocked artery is damaged by the sudden loss of blood. Pulmonary embolism describes the condition that occurs when a clot - usually from the veins of the leg or pelvis - lodges in an artery of the lung.

Signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism include:

• Sudden, sharp chest pain that begins or worsens with a deep breath or a cough, often accompanied by shortness of breath
• Sudden, unexplained shortness of breath, even without pain
• Cough that may produce blood-streaked sputum
• Rapid heartbeat
• Anxiety and excessive perspiration

Pneumonia with pleurisy

A frequent symptom of pneumonia is chest pain accompanied by chills, fever and a cough that may bring up bloody or foul-smelling sputum. When pneumonia occurs with an inflammation of the membranes that surround the lung (pleura), you may have considerable chest discomfort when inhaling or coughing. This condition is called pleurisy.

One sign of pleurisy is that the pain is usually relieved temporarily by holding your breath or putting pressure on the painful area of your chest. This is not true of a heart attack. See your doctor if a cough and a fever or chills accompany your chest pain. Pleurisy alone, however, isn't a medical emergency

Chest wall pain

One of the most common varieties of harmless chest pain is chest wall pain. One kind of chest wall pain is costochondritis. It consists of pain and tenderness in and around the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone (sternum).

Often, placing pressure over a few points along the margin of the sternum results in considerable tenderness limited to those small areas. If the pressure of a finger duplicates your chest pain, you probably can conclude that a serious cause of chest pain, such as a heart attack, isn't responsible.

Other causes of chest wall pain include:

• Strained muscles from overuse or excessive coughing
• Muscle bruising from minor trauma

32) Corneal abrasion (scratch)

The most common types of eye injury involve the cornea - the clear, protective "window" at the front of the eye. Contact with dust, dirt, sand, wood shavings, metal particles or even an edge of a piece of paper can scratch or cut the cornea. Usually the scratch is superficial, and this is called a corneal abrasion. Some corneal abrasions become infected and result in a corneal ulcer, which is a serious problem.

Everyday activities can lead to corneal abrasions. Examples are playing sports, doing home repairs or being scratched by children who accidentally brush your cornea with a fingernail. Other common injuries to the cornea include splash accidents - contact with chemicals ranging from antifreeze to household cleaners.

Because the cornea is extremely sensitive, abrasions can be painful. If your cornea is scratched, you might feel like you have sand in your eye. Tears, blurred vision, increased sensitivity or redness around the eye can suggest a corneal abrasion.

In case of injury, seek prompt medical attention. Other immediate steps you can take are to:

• Use water to rinse the eye. Run lukewarm tap water over the eye or splash the eye with clean water. Many work sites have eye-rinse stations for this purpose. Rinsing the eye may wash out the offending foreign body.
• Blink several times. This movement may remove small particles of dust or sand.
• Pull the upper eyelid over the lower eyelid. The lashes of the lower eyelid can brush the foreign body from the undersurface of the upper eyelid.

Take caution to avoid certain actions that may aggravate the injury:

• Don't apply patches or ice packs to the eye. If you do get an object in the eye itself - typically when ammering metal on metal - do not press on the eyeball.
• Don't rub your eye after an injury. This action can worsen a corneal abrasion

33) Dislocation

A dislocation is an injury in which the ends of your bones are forced from their normal positions. The cause is usually trauma, such as a blow or fall, but can be an underlying disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Dislocations are common injuries in contact sports, such as football and hockey, and in sports that may involve falls, such as downhill skiing and volleyball. Dislocations may occur in your major joints such as your shoulder, hip, knee, elbow or ankle or in smaller joints such as your finger, thumb or toe. The injury will temporarily deform and immobilize your joint and may result in sudden and severe pain. A dislocation requires prompt medical attention to return your bones to their proper positions.

If you believe you have dislocated a joint:

1. Don't delay medical care. Get medical help immediately.
2. Don't move the joint. Until you receive help, splint the affected joint into its fixed position. Don't try to move a dislocated joint or force it back into place. This can damage the joint and its surrounding muscles, ligaments, nerves or blood vessels.
3. Put ice on the injured joint. This can help reduce swelling by controlling internal bleeding and the buildup of fluids in and around the injured joint.

34)Electrical shock

Minor electrical shocks are common. They're usually more surprising than they are dangerous. In some cases, however, even small amounts of electricity can be life-threatening by causing unconsciousness, cessation of heartbeat (cardiac arrest) and cessation of breathing. Electrical shocks can also cause serious, deep burns and tissue injury, although often even a serious electrical burn may appear as only a minor mark on the skin.

If you believe someone has been electrocuted:

1. Call emergency medical help.
2. Look first. Don't touch. The person may still be in contact with the electrical source. Touching the person may pass the current through you.
3. Turn off the source of electricity if possible. If not, move the source away from you and the affected person using a nonconducting object made of cardboard, plastic or wood.
4. Once the person is free of the source of electricity, check the person's breathing and pulse. If either has stopped or seems dangerously slow or shallow, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.
5. If the person is faint or pale or shows other signs of shock, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk of his or her body and the legs elevated.
6. Treat any major burns.

35) Fever

Fever is one of your body's reactions to infection. Usually the normal body temperature doesn't exceed 99 F (37.2 C). The value of 98.6 F (37 C) listed as normal body temperature is only a general guide. Isolated temperature elevations usually aren't dangerous in an adult until the temperature reaches 103 F (39.4 C). Taking aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) usually reduces a fever in adults. Don't give aspirin to children younger than 17 years of age. The use of aspirin has been linked with Reye's syndrome - a rare but serious illness that can affect the blood, liver and brain of children and teenagers after a viral infection

Rectally (for infants)
To take your child's temperature rectally:

• Place a dab of petroleum jelly or other lubricant on the bulb.
• Lay your child on his or her stomach.
• Carefully insert the bulb one-half inch to one inch into the rectum.
• Hold the bulb and child still for three minutes. To avoid injury, don't let go of the thermometer while it's inside your baby.
• Remove and read the temperature as recommended by the manufacturer.
• A rectal temperature reading is generally 1 degree F higher than an oral reading.

Orally
To take your temperature orally:

• Place the bulb under your tongue.
• Close your mouth for the recommended amount of time, usually three minutes.
• If you're using a nondigital thermometer, rotate it slowly after removing it from your mouth until you can read the temperature.

Under the arm (axillary)
You can also use an oral thermometer for an armpit reading:

• Place the thermometer under your arm with your arms down.
• Hold your arms across your chest.
• Wait five minutes or as recommended by your thermometer's manufacturer then remove and read the temperature.
• An axillary reading is generally 1 degree F less than an oral reading

Get medical help for a fever in these cases:

• A baby younger than 3 months has a rectal temperature of 100.5 F (38 C) or higher or an ear temperature of 99.5 F (37.5) or higher
• If a child older than 3 months maintains a temperature of 103 F (39.4 C) after a few hours of home treatment
• If an adult has a temperature of greater than 104 F (40.0 C) or a temperature of 101 F (38.3 C) that persists for longer than 3 days
• Call your doctor immediately if the fever is accompanied by severe headache, stiff neck, swelling of the throat or mental confusion, or if you see unusual rashes or bite marks.

36) Foreign object inhaled

If you or your child inhales a foreign object, see your doctor. If the inhaled object causes choking:

• Use the Heimlich maneuver to try to remove the object.
• Call for emergency medical assistance.

To perform the Heimlich maneuver on someone else:

• Stand behind the choking person and wrap your arms around his or her waist. Bend the person slightly forward.
• Make a fist with one hand and place it slightly above the person's navel.
• Grasp your fist with the other hand and press hard into the abdomen with a quick, upward thrust. Repeat this procedure until the object is expelled from the airway.

To perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself:

• Position your own fist slightly above your navel.
• Grasp your fist with your other hand and thrust upward into your abdomen until the object is expelled, or lean forward over the back of a chair to produce this effect.

37) Foreign object in the eye

If you get a foreign object in your eye:

1. Try to flush the eye clear. Using an eyecup or small, clean glass, wash your eye with c