First Aid

Articles in First Aid

By eHow Health Editor 15 comments
It doesn’t matter whether you've jammed a finger blocking a spike or just stubbed your toe on the stupid coffee table—now all it really takes is a little bit of ice, a simple wrap and some ibuprofen to do the trick... more »
By eHow Health Editor 0 comments
Sharp objects such as nails or fishhooks cause puncture wounds when they penetrate the skin. Puncture wounds require special attention because bleeding is usually minimal and the risk of infection high, and because the penetrating object may have ... more »
By eHow Health Editor 0 comments
Do not remove objects that are impaled in the body unless the object is obstructing the airway. Removing the object may cause severe bleeding. The wound from an impaled object can still be treated with special care to immobilize the object... more »
By eHow Health Editor 2 comments
Yellow jackets can quickly ruin a fun outdoor activity. Armed with the proper knowledge, however, you can effectively treat a sting and resume your fun... more »
By eHow Health Editor 0 comments
Amputation is the complete severing of a body part from the body. This is a major traumatic injury, and the injured person must be treated for shock and evacuated from the backcountry immediately. Get to a hospital... more »
By eHow Health Editor 0 comments
Frostnip is the least severe form of frostbite but should not be taken lightly. Do everything in your power to prevent frostbite before it occurs, but if you see any symptoms of frostnip, treat it before it turns into something more serious... more »
By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor 0 comments
Heat stroke is a serious medical emergency, requiring aggressive cooling and immediate evacuation... more »
By eHow Health Editor 2 comments
Treating a child's boo-boos is a bonding experience. Anytime we can relieve our child's pain, we feel good as parents. Use this first-aid time together to show your child that you love her, and that you will successfully nurse her wound back to ... more »
By globewatcher 5 comments
This is a really great use for superglue. I keep it on hand at all times. Superglue was used during the Vietnam War pretty successful for sealing open wounds and cuts. Although it was used on large wounds, I would only use it on small paper ... more »
By eHow Health Editor 0 comments
Sometimes it's necessary to give someone a shot with a hypodermic needle. Knowing the best procedure for this task is essential. The length of the needle used determines the distance is must be pushed into the tissue just under the skin layer of ... more »
By Lindaperry 1 comments
Everyone knows how to break a leg, but most likely you haven't heard this one. If you are concerned about your health, your body and your mobility, you need to read this article which continues right after this email and comment box... more »
By eHow Health Editor 10 comments
A bruise is caused when blood vessels rupture due to a blow to a part of your body. No special bruise care is required, but there are things you can do if you want to decrease the swelling, duration and coloration of the bruise... more »
By eHow Health Editor 2 comments
Treating cuts right away lessens the chance that an infection will start... more »
By eHow Health Editor 0 comments
This is often called a "seat carry," since the formation resembles a seat... more »
By Lindaperry 2 comments
Seems everyone is into electronics lately and most people celebrate their birthdays either with gadgets, or watching gadgets and electronic boxes. If you want to be different, more relaxed and still thoroughly enjoy your birthday, try having a ... more »
By eHow Health Editor 0 comments
All open wounds are contaminated to some extent and are potential sites for infection. The best way to prevent infection is to remove all debris from the wound and discourage further growth of bacteria... more »
By Tom Morgan 0 comments
When a person isn't breathing, performing rescue breathing (see Related eHows) can save a life. But sometimes the breaths won't go in because the injured person's airway is obstructed... more »
By eHow Health Editor 0 comments
One of the best ways to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder is to discharge and process the negative and varied emotions triggered by the event as soon as possible... more »
By eHow Health Editor 1 comments
In a wilderness setting, the secondary survey provides crucial diagnostic information for an injured person. .. more »
By eHow Health Editor 0 comments
The spinal cord is what connects the neural pathways from the brain to the rest of the body. Examine the neck, spine and back of an injured person carefully to assess whether injuries have been sustained there and whether evacuation is necessary... more »
By eHow Health Editor 6 comments
Although there's no cure for asthma, there are many things you can do to manage your asthma and keep symptoms to a minimum. Avoiding triggers and modifying your lifestyle will help... more »
By eHow Health Editor 0 comments
Dislocations occur when bone ends are out of line at the joint, causing pain and preventing a full range of motion. A rescuer must decide whether or not to put the bone ends back in line ("reduce" the dislocation)... more »
By eHow Health Editor 13 comments
Choking because of an obstructed airway is a leading cause of accidental death. If a choking person is not coughing or is unable to speak, that's your cue to perform the Heimlich maneuver immediately. Here are a few steps to help save a choking ... more »
By eHow Health Editor 5 comments
It's amazing how much a tiny sliver of wood, glass or fiberglass can hurt when it lodges in your skin. Remove a splinter promptly to reduce discomfort and the chance of infection... more »
By eHow Health Editor 4 comments
Dirt in the eye can be harmless, but it can also scratch your eyeball and cause infection. Whenever you get a foreign substance in your eye take the time to flush the eye clean... more »