Miscellaneous Emergencies

1.	Foreign Bodies Entering The Human Body In every day life or during work foreign bodies may accidentally enter our bodies - usually through our eyes, ears, nose, air or food passages.
2.	General Principles of Treatment
	(1)	It is not advisable to take out the foreign bodies unless they can be easily taken out without causing further damage.
	(2)	Before taking the casualty to hospital for treatment, stabilize the position of the foreign body to avoid causing further damage to the body.
3.	First Aid Treatment For Foreign Bodies Entering Different Parts Of The Human Body
	(1)	Foreign Bodies In The Eyes If foreign bodies are sand particles or eyelash, apply simple treatment. If the foreign body is embedded in the eyeball, send the casualty to hospital for treatment immediately.
	Treatment :
		(a)	If the foreign bodies are not embedded in the eyeball: (1) Prevent the casualty from rubbing the eye. (2) Incline the casualty to the injured side & separate his upper & lower eyelids. Irrigate his eye with clean water.
		(b)	B. If the foreign body is embedded in or attached to the eyeball: (1) Do not attempt to take it out. (2) Cover the injured eye with gauge & bandage both eyes of the patients. (3) Send the casualty to hospital immediately.
	(2)	Foreign Bodies In The Nose Children often stuff foreign bodies such as buttons or marbles into their noses. These objects will injure their respiratory membrane and prevent normal breathing. They may even slip down to the trachea.
	Treatment :
		(a)	Do not attempt to take the foreign object out.
		(b)	Advise the casualty to breathe with his mouth.
		(c)	Notice for any difficulty in breathing.
		(d)	Send the casualty to hospital immediately.
	(3)	Foreign Bodies In The Ears Children often stuff foreign bodies such as beads or peas into their ears. Sometimes, insects will crawl into the ears to cause discomfort, which will result in temporary loss of the sense of hearing. If the body is inserted too deep, the eardrum will be injured.
	Treatment :
		(a)	Do not try to remove object to avoid damaging the ear canal or eardrum.
		(b)	If the foreign body is an insect, general flood the ear with oil (lubricating baby oil) to float the object out.
		(c)	Send the casualty to hospital for treatment.
	(4)	Swallowing Foreign Bodies Swallowing small round bodies will not cause any damage. However, swallowing a sharp item like a safety pin, sewing needle or a sharp bone will injure the throat and the digestive tracts. In addition, swelling of the throat or choking due to injury will obstruct the airway.
	Treatment :
		(a)	Reassure the casualty.
		(b)	Give nothing by mouth.
		(c)	Notice for any difficulty in breathing.
		(d)	Send the casualty to hospital immediately.

4.	Insect Stings Stings by bees, wasps or other insects will cause itching, swelling & pain. Septic shock may also happen. Treatment :
		(a)	The sting of certain kinds of bee may be poisonous & should not be removed by hand. Thin, hard card such as identity card should be used to scratch out the sting by following the direction of the point of the sting so as to get the poison out.
		(b)	Apply cold pack to the wound to relieve pain & swelling.
		(c)	If breathing is difficult, follow the treatment as for breathing with difficulty.
		(d)	Send the casualty to hospital.
5.	Animal Bites Bites by animals are usually small but deep. The casualty may be infected by tetanus or rabies.
	Clinical Features: - There may be tear or puncture of the wound of the skin. - Bleeding depends on the seriousness of the wound. - The wound may be red & swollen. Treatment :
		(a)	Place the casualty in a comfortable position.
		(b)	Bath the wound with soap & water.
		(c)	Cover & bandage the wound with dressings.
		(d)	Treat for shock.
		(e)	Send the casualty to hospital.
		(f)	Inform the police to arrange Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department to capture the animal .
6.	Frostbite In freezing weather, the exposed parts of the body such as the nose tip, ear lobes, cheeks and chin - may develop frostbites as the skin on them cools and the blood vessels become constricted thus cutting off the blood supply to the area. The hands and feet can also be affected even when they are enclosed in gloves and boots. In severe cases, gangrene may develop unless the affected part is warmed. - The affected part of the body is cold, painful and stiff at first. - The skin hardens and turns blue or white. Usually, it also goes numb, so that the feeling of cold and pain disappears. - Partly thawed frostbite is blue in colour and there may be blood-filled blisters in the affected area.
	Treatment :
		(1)	Remove the casualty by stretcher to a warm place as soon as possible.
		(2)	Immediately remove anything of a constrictive nature - gloves, rings and boots.
		(3)	Warm up the frost bitten parts by sharing of body heat.
		(4)	Warm up the casualty's affected part in warm water at a temperature acceptable to the elbow.
		(5)	The sense of pain will return and the skin will turn red as the part thaws out. Dry and lightly bandage the thawed area with gauze and wool.
		(6)	Keep the casualty warm and send him to hospital.
		Notice:
		(1)	Do not rub the area.
		(2)	Do not puncture blisters.
		(3)	Do not heat the injured part with fire.
		(4)	Do not put hot-water bottles directly on the affected area.

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