Self Medical

Self Medical

NOTE: These first-aid tips are taken from the Red Cross guide to first aid and from personal experience. I am not a doctor and, although this page was checked over by a registered nurse, I am not liable for any damage claimed to result from this information. In all cases of serious injury, seek medical attention. This information is provided as a service only.The most important thing, and the hardest to remember when dealing with the consequences of self-injury, is to refrain from judging yourself. Do NOT invalidate yourself. You're a human being who made a mistake and did something you'd rather not have done, just like thousands of other human beings. The fact that most people don't understand self-injury does not make you bad or evil or hopeless or stupid; it makes you misunderstood. Accept this and move on. Don't deny yourself medical attention you may vitally need.Sometimes the results of self-injury can be safely treated at home. However, if you show symptoms of infection or your self-care doesn't seem to be adequately healing the wound, do NOT hesitate to seek professional medical attention. It can be annoying trying to explain what's happened to a doctor, but it's not worth dying to avoid embarrassment. What to expect in the emergency room and this ER/A&E checklist can help you get effective emergency treatment.

Definition:
First aid is the initial basic treatment of an injured or ill person. First aid requires an observer first to evaluate the injured or ill person and then to intervene, using a small amount of supplies.

Purpose:
First aid is provided to a person immediately following an accident or onset of illness to decrease complications and to offer psychological (emotional) and physical comfort. It is performed to decrease the individual's pain and suffering until emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or other health care givers arrive on the scene.

Precautions:
The provision of first aid should never postpone the initial contact with the emergency medical system. The bystander should wear disposable latex gloves if available, in case of contact with blood or body fluids. If gloves are not available, plastic bags or wrap can be used as a protective barrier.

Description:
First aid is a universal term that encompasses many general concepts for rapid assessment of health crises and intervention. The following sections present the most common injuries and illnesses requiring first aid, and the interventions appropriate in these situations.


Poisoning:

ASSESSMENT. Initial evaluation of a poison victim is done after the threat of exposure to the rescuer is determined. If noxious gas or fumes remain in the environment, the rescuer must first protect him-or herself and others. The rescuer must move the person to a secure environment as promptly as possible to start first aid.

INTERVENTION. The first and most important intervention is to call a poison control center and get instructions on how to proceed. Having information on the type of poison ingested, if possible, as well as reading the label over the phone or spelling out the active ingredients on the bottle, will help the poison control center in determining the appropriate interventions. The rescuer must never induce vomiting or give any substance unless directed by the poison control center.