HYPO & HYPERTHERMIA

HYPOTHERMIA
This means the lowering of the body's core temperature following prolonged exposure to cold or freezing conditions.
1.Wrap the person in a polythene sheet,lots of warm clothes.
2.Make the person sit with legs,thighs,arms and forearms tucked in.
3.Give lots of warm liquids.
4.Make him breathe in air blown OVER a bowl of hot water or hot electric stove.This will be more helpful than warming the person by putting hot water bags or hot pads of clothes OVER his body.
5.Get medical help at the earliest.
HYPERTHERMIA
This means the body's core temperature has risen beyond the normal values.
Most often seen during intense exertions(physical activity) in the young athlete, or in extremely hot conditions(sun stroke).The victim may NOT be hot to touch.
He may complain of "cramps" in his limbs,belly,may be pale & sweating,complain of vertigo,vomiting or may become unconscious.
1.Remove the person away from the heat into a cooler place; Remove clothing.
2.Give lots of fluids(fruit juices,lime-juice with sugar & 2 pinches of salt,or plain water with sugar & salt,ORS--oral rehydrating solution),AVOID plain water.
DO NOT give Aspirin,Paracetamol etc..
3.Wipe entire body with tepid water.Place icepacks under armpits,groin,neck,head.
4.Blow cool air(fan)over body
5.Get medical help.

BURN INJURIES

BURN INJURIES
Burn injuries are a common occurrence,most of them preventable by being careful when dealing with fire,hot liquids etc.Children need to be taught the dangers of fire and trained from a very early age.
Some precautions that can save you and your near ones!
1.Do not store anything above/over your stove...do not have a shelf above the stove.This prevents fire catching your clothing when reaching out for something from the shelf.
2.never carry a hot object or liquid in one hand and a kid in the other hand!Do not allow a child inside a kitchen!!(instances of a child pulling on a vessel full of hot water/oil from over the cooking-counter onto himself are too common an occurrence seen in a hospital)
3.store inflammable materials(kerosene,petrol,cigarette lighter)away from your stove
4. do not allow children near fire alone.Always be with them
5.Set yourself as an example for others to follow!
TREATING BURNS
1.Do NOT touch the burn or burst the blister.
2.run cold water(not ice-cold water) until the pain subsides.If water is not available,use milk,canned soft drink etc.Remove any clothing over the injured area only AFTER running lots of water.(hot fabric can tear off injured skin)
3.if the burn is superficial(will be very painful,more painful than a deep burn injury!),dress lightly(with little pressure) with clean gauze or cloth(eg:pillow cover),. Do not tightly bandage the wound or apply plaster over a blister.Watch daily for the next 2-4 days,If the injured area becomes more red in color or you see pus,visit the Doctor.
4.deeper injuries always need the prompt attention of a Doctor.
5.Burn injuries in a child involving significant areas of the body(chest,buttocks,back,limbs) need IMMEDIATE attention by a Doctor,even if the child is not complaining much or there are no visible injuries(eg;hot liquid injuries)