Dr Ranj's first aid holiday essentials
With schools already breaking up for summer and Brits getting ready for the great getaway, Dr Ranj is back to give us a five minute first aid class you won’t want to miss.
From what to do if you get sunburnt, to how to deal with an insect bite, here are Dr Ranj’s first aid holiday essentials.
1. WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET SUNBURNT
We've all done it - too long in the sun with too little sun cream. Here's everything you need to know:
How to prevent sunburn
- The SPF ('Sun protection factor') number represents how many more times your skin will be able to stand the sun before it burns.
- SPFs are rated on a scale of 2 to 50+ based on the level of protection they offer against UVB, with 50+ offering the strongest form of protection.
- An SPF of at least 30 to protect against UVB is recommended.
- Look for a product with UVA protection that has at least 4-5 stars.
- As a guide, you should use at least 6 full teaspoons to cover and adult body, and remember to reapply every couple of hours.
What to do if you'd been sunburnt
- Get out of the sun - Move into a cool, shady area.
- Cool your skin - Have a cool shower, or sponge the burn with cold water.
- Lotions - Lotions containing aloe vera may help to soothe and moisturise your skin, but won't repair the damage done.
- Drinks lots - Try and stay hydrated through the day.
- Cover up - Protect the burnt skin until it heals.
2. HEAT EXHAUSTION AND SUNSTROKE
When someone has heat exhaustion, their body temperature rises. If they are not cooled down, they could develop heatstroke, which is an emergency.
How to prevent heat exhaustion
*Monitor your time in the sun - Take regular breaks in cool areas.
* Keep Hydrated - Drink enough and check your wee colour.
*Think about your clothing - Remove any unnecessary layers.
*Shower! - A cool shower can keep your body temperature down.
TREATMENT: HOW TO HELP SOMEONE WITH HEAT EXHAUSTION: If you are suffering from symptoms like dizziness, loss of appetite and have a temperature above 38C, you could have heat exhaustion. Do the following to help:
*Room temperature - Move out the sun to somewhere cool.
*Lay down - Lie down and elevate your feet.
*Drink - Drink water or sports drinks to hydrate yourself.
*Body temperature -Use a sponge, water spray, or cool pack to cool the skin.
How to identify when someone develops heatstroke
If someone does not improve in 30 minutes, heat exhaustion could have turned to heatstroke. Look out for the following symptoms:
- When someone is not sweating even though they are hot
- Has a temperature above 40C
- Has rapid or shortness of breath.
- Has a fit (seizure). If the person has any of the above or becomes unresponsive, call 999 and consider putting them in the recovery position, as heatstroke needs to be treated as an emergency.
3. BITES AND STINGS
Bites and stings will cause a red, swollen lump to develop on the skin, which will be painful, and in some cases be very itchy. While most insect bites and stings are not serious, some can become infected, or cause an allergic reaction. Here's what to do:
What to do if you are bitten
- Remove sting - First, remove the sting if you can. This can be done by using the edge of a debit card. Do not squeeze.
- Clean - Once the sting is out, wash the area with soapy water and apply a cold compress.
- Reduce swelling - If possible, elevate the affected area to reduce swelling
- Apply/take antihistamine to help with inflammation/itching.
- Stop the possible infection - do not scratch the bite or sting, this can cause the wound to become infected
4. HOW TO STOP SOMEONE FROM CHOKING
Someone with severe choking will not be able to speak, cough or breathe. For severe choking, advance straight to back blow treatment:
Severe choking: How to do back blows
Do the following on an adult or child over one-years-old:
- Stand behind them and slightly to one side. Support their chest with one hand.
- Lean them forward so the object blocking their airway will come out their mouth
- Give up to five sharp blows between their shoulder blades with the heel of your hand
Abdominal thrusts
Do the following on an adult or child over one years old
- Stand behind the person choking, and place your arms around their waist and bend them forward
- Clench one fist and place it right above their belly button
- Put the other hand on top of your fist and pull sharply inwards and upwards
- Repeat up to five times
- If they lose consciousness and do not breathe, call 999 and begin CPR
What to do when a baby is choking
For babies under one year old:
- Sit down and lay your baby face down along your thighs, supporting their head with your hand
- Give up to five sharp back blows with the heel of 1 hand in the middle of the back of the shoulder blades
- If back blows don't relieve the choking and they are still conscious give chest thrusts
Chest thrusts for children under one year old
- Lay the baby face up along the length of your thigh, and find the breastbone and place two fingers in the middle
- Give five sharp chest thrusts, compressing the chest by a third
- If object still isn't dislodged, and your child's conscious, continue the back blow sequence
When chest thrusts fail on children under one years old
- Call 999 if the blockage doesn't come out. Keep cycle going until help arrives
- If the child becomes unconscious, place on a firm flat surface, call 999.
- Open the child's mouth and if the object's clearly visible and you can grasp it easily. Remove it.