Emergency First Aid E - N:

Earache:
Symptoms: Pain. Discharge from ear. Possible fever. Hearing loss. In baby: pulling ear.

Treatment: See doctor immediately for diagnosis. Report fever and/or discharge. Use prescribed medication as directed. Keep ear dry during bathing.

Electric Shock:
Symptoms: Unconsciousness, breathing difficulty and heart damage. Burns at contact points. Muscle spasms.

Treatment: Call 911. Disconnect electric source. If victim is not breathing, begin CPR if you are trained or being guided by an emergency dispatcher. Treat for shock and burns if necessary.

Eye- Foreign Object:
Symptoms: Water, irritated, painful eye. Reluctance to open eye. Foreign object visible.

Treatment: Let eye tear, don’t rub. If loose, object may dislodge itself, or dab eye gently with a clean cloth. If embedded, cover both eyes and get help.

Fainting:
Symptoms: Temporary unconsciousness. Sometimes blurred vision, nausea, paleness, sweating.

Treatment: Lay on back, elevate feet or bend over with head at knee level. If unresponsive, call 911. If not breathing, begin CPR if you are trained or being guided by an emergency dispatcher.

Fever:
Symptoms: Body temperature of 100° F measured orally or 101° F measured rectally.

Treatment: Increase fluid intake. Sponge with warm water and give acetaminophen. Call doctor if temperature over 102° F (orally) or persists.

Fractures and Dislocations:
Symptoms: Severe pain, swelling or bruising. Loss of motion. Protruding bone or deformity.

Treatment: Don’t move if unconscious or if back/neck injuries suspected. Treat breathing/bleeding/shock first. Immobilize injury before moving. Call 911.

Frostbite:
Symptoms: Area (usually extremities) becomes red, then gray, then white. Numbness.

Treatment: Don’t rub. Slowly warm by immersing in tepid (no hot) water. Give warm drinks and wrap in blankets. When rewarmed, call doctor.

Head Injury:
Symptoms: Unconscious. Vomiting. Pale. Headaches. Sleepy. Pupils uneven. Dazed.

Treatment: Treat any head injury as an emergency. Get someone to call for help. Stay with victim. Monitor closely for unconsciousness.

Insect Bites and Stings:
Symptoms: Pain. Itching. Swelling. Redness. If allergic: Difficulty with breathing, swallowing.

Treatment: Scrape off stinger with fingernail, don’t squeeze. Wash with soap/water. Apply cold compress, then calamine lotion. Get help IMMEDIATELY if allergic.

Nosebleed:
Symptoms: blood coming from nostrils after blowing, sneezing, picking, illness or injury.

Treatment: Keep head forward. Squeeze nose closed. If bleeding does not stop, apply cold compress and reapply pressure. If bleeding continues, call doctor.