Summer Claims

2003/07/07 Kortabarria Olabarria, Beñardo - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Osasuna

Most small accidents occur in the summer months and it is no accident. Greater dedication of hours away from home in unknown places, which causes a greater incidence of external risks. On the other hand, the tranquility of holiday periods makes all things less important and often surprises occur. On other occasions, however, accidents result from bad luck.

And what to do in these cases?

Related to the bathroom

To spend a pleasant day on the beach, in the pool or on the river bank, especially if there are young children, it is best to take into account some simple rules.

• Whether they know how to swim or not, children under 6 should always be under the supervision of their parents or caregivers. And it is also recommended to be attentive to the most curious children.
• Most swimming pool accidents occur by jumps and water games. Children, teenagers and young people, especially, should not run in the pool or push themselves on the water bank, jump back or whistle, etc.
• When going to the pool and, of course, by the sea, seeing the lifeguard is not enough reason to forget parents and caregivers of the responsibility of the children. Lifeguards often engage in other things, and their job is not to avoid ridiculous children or young people, but to help those in danger.
• The best way to get into the water is to do it slowly. First soak the part of the neck, then the arms and legs and finally the whole body. After eating, it is most prudent to wait an hour and a half before bathing, otherwise digestion can be interrupted. This interruption appears immediately and although strong bites that prevent swimming are noticed, sometimes there is usually no time to react. In children it can be even more serious, because despite feeling pain in the head and neck area, they may not give importance and continue diving or playing until they lose knowledge. Also, sudden temperature changes (such as irruption in cold waters after prolonged sun exposure) can cause dizziness or headaches.
• If in the water you notice chills, tiredness, headache, itching and dizziness without spending the rest time for digestion, it is best to get out of the water and go in the shade. If chills continue, cover the body with what you have at hand (towel, or any other clothing). Drink water in small sips and if after an hour the discomfort persists, go to the doctor.
• Dipping jumps can also cause problems, especially if done dangerously (and kids like to do a small run ahead and head down, even without the help of their hands, or with their arms folded behind). Before immersing yourself in the water, analyze the depth of the bottom and, if possible, not jump from top to bottom, but forward. The arms should be placed in front, as a continuation of the body, protecting the neck and head.
• If you or someone took you out of the suffocated middle water, you should immediately do a mouth-to-mouth breath: lie it on the ground, face up, head tilted backwards and get to work. You should have your mouth free to your throat and cowbell; if you have dentures or prostheses, remove it. Close the nostrils and blow every five seconds into your mouth until you breathe again. If desired, while blowing, you can crush your chest and abdomen. Once the test is done, place it on a rib and keep it as protected as possible, covered in clothing. However, a trained person should take care of it as soon as possible.
• If you are going to sunbathe, do not forget to put on the cream.

Small cuts

Hurting with a sharp, semi-hidden tip in the sand, or with some can of canned kitchen is something common. If the bleeding is mild, clean the wound with soap and water and then apply iodine or antiseptic. Finally, cover the wound with a bandage. If there is no blood and the wound is not very large, it is best to leave it uncovered. In case the wound causing device is dirty or rusty, it is preferable to go to the doctor to decide whether or not to vaccinate against tetanus.

Bleeding

The best measure for relatively large bleeding is to see the emergency doctor. Meanwhile, the wound can be squeezed with gas or a piece of cloth. If not enough, tighten an important artery above the wound. If the bleeding wound is in the arm, you should compress the brachial artery, the artery of the arm, inside the arm, between the armpit and the elbow. If the bleeding is in the leg, the femoral artery must be compressed in the thigh passage. In that place you have to press hard, putting both thumbs at once. If it is still not enough and no doctor has yet appeared, a tourniquet should be made in those areas and every 5 minutes or reassure it to allow the pooled blood to flow.

If the hemorrhage is nasal, and despite having heard the opposite here or there, what must be done is to sit and pull your head forward by squeezing the pit with your thumb in about ten minutes. It would also be convenient to place cold water compresses on the nape or forehead.

Fractures and dislocations

When such a blow or accident occurs, it is relatively difficult to know if a bone has been broken at first sight. In case of doubt, it is better to think that yes and not cause more damage. Not forcing any painful joints or giving food or drink to the injured person, it may be necessary that he or she be subsequently anesthetized in the hospital to bring the bones into place. If the affected part begins to grow, remove anything that tightens and apply ice to lower inflammation. If the pain has occurred in the arm or shoulder, immobilize the limb with a towel, for example, and then go to the emergency room. If the blow has occurred on the leg or on the back, it is better to wait for help without moving the affected.

Cramps

To combat them and eliminate them it is advisable to take foods or drinks with salt. Rub the entire body part with cold water, for example, if cramps are felt on one foot, the massage will spread to the entire leg. On the other hand, keeping the body at rest is also a good remedy to ward off cramps.

Foreign bodies in the airways

If the object (for example, the marble, button, or any object that has been swallowed by the child) is in the throat, and it is impossible for it to breathe, it must be removed immediately. Once the body is bent, a strong blow to the back can eject the object. If the child is small, grab his feet and head down, blow his hand open in the center of the shoulder. If you have put the object in your nose and you see it, cover the nostril you have free and, once your mouth is closed, tell it to blow: it may be enough. But if the object is higher or has entered the ear, do not try to go out and go to the doctor.

Punctures

They appear hot and hide in cold. This is one of the most striking features of mosquitoes. Another? Puncionan. And not in any case. After analyzing what they have in front, they choose what may be best for them and bite them. Redness, itching, and pain are the most common sensations after puncture; the most unusual, especially in case of allergy, are chills and fever.

Mosquitoes distinguish the taste, so some people attack others while they are despised. Consequently, while the rest is calm, the figure of the poor who receives all the punctures is normal if he is in family or in company. Many times they are heard, phrases like "these touch me alone" or "they do not touch me"; and more often, if necessary, "you will have sweet blood because everyone goes to you".

If in the history of evolution mosquitoes have been able to last millions of years, one of the most important reasons would be their ability to properly separate fresh blood. To make the distinction, mosquitoes first use smell. The carbon dioxide that is generated every time we breathe lightly and other odorous substances pass into the ambient air. This air moves and moves away. Even if it was 50 kilometers away, mosquitoes would be able to smell.

When mosquitoes smell the air, they say they do it immediately, they know that smell is the source of food. To reach the source of the smell follow the current of the air in zig-zag. In addition to arriving and using smell, they also use sight, detecting the heat of the surrounding bodies. Mosquitoes, once considered these three variables, decide who to puncture.

Among all options, they always choose people or animals with signs of the most attractive substances. These substances are very different. They can be natural substances that are produced by the body itself and that are expelled through the skin; or products created artificially by the human being himself, such as cosmetics; and the sweat that is collected in the body (as is known, in sweat bacteria are collected that are very attractive for mosquitoes).

Like substances that make the body attractive to mosquitoes, there are also substances that make them disgusting, such as medicines used to fight cholesterol or hypertension. Mosquitoes necessarily need cholesterol and vitamin B, but they are not able to produce by themselves, so people rich in both cholesterol and vitamin B have a high estimate.

In addition to being sharp, mosquitoes can lead to disease, but less than is generally believed. According to Butler, only a thousand mosquitoes carry organisms that can cause disease. However, although the proportion is low, it is clear that if a pathway is detected to reduce the number of bites, the chances of getting sick will decrease.

Mosquitoes do not puncture in any way, they know what human reaction is like and therefore choose the most appropriate place for puncture, which can hardly reach the human being at once. After selecting the safest place possible, they perform the work quickly, with a maximum puncture of 8-10 seconds. To realize, normally the work is done, and the carabiner away from us, fills the gut.

If not enough, mosquitoes are also flirty. And when the place is selected and pruned does not start working immediately. First, taste with your mouth the chosen place until you find your favorite spot. At the height of its destination, the stinger enters strongly and moves quickly at various angles until they meet the capillary for food. The process is short but not instant. Don't think we have any defensive options.

One of them is products to scare off mosquitoes, which do not kill the mosquito but force them away. These products must be efficient, long-lasting and safe, non-toxic.

If a bee or wasp has bitten you and the punch has been present, remove the skin with tweezers or gently scratching the skin, clean the wound with soap and water and finally ice in the puncture area.

If it is a scorpion puncture or a snake bite, act the same way, but in case of muscle spasm or inflammation, and otherwise, it is advisable to be seen by a doctor to avoid complications.

If the puncture is caused by a jellyfish, clean the wound with seawater, then moisten the wound with alcohol or ammonia (after damping with water). It can be replaced by vinegar. Use cold compresses or ice to relieve itching. Avoid excessive contact with the wound to prevent the infection from spreading to another part of the body.

Heat stroke

When it's hot, long in the sun, working outdoors, or exercising, it can cause a heat stroke: the body gets too hot, but the person doesn't sweat enough to lower the temperature. The skin is hot and red, the heart rate is accelerated and the breathing rate is also accelerated. It is very normal to be confused or disoriented, to lose consciousness and to have tremors. The patient must be immediately transferred to the hospital and, in the meantime, covered with wet sheets and/or ice cream in clothes or a handkerchief.

Outside home

If you are on holiday with children:

• Try to locate at all times. Do not give anything for known or realized.
• If not very small, the first day facilities (house, camping, hotel, etc.) show them to know the environment and know where the danger points are (pool, electric cables, insects...).
• As you do at home, do not leave cleaning products or medicines available to children.
  
  • Respect security flags: GREEN (bath free); YELLOW (bath care); RED (bath forbidden).
  • Bathing only in guarded areas.
  • Keep children under 12 from bathing.
  • Don't jump head in an unknown place.
  • Do not swim against current or around waiters.
  • Do not advance in areas that do not touch your foot.
  • Do not enter the water immediately after sunbathing.
  • Do not bathe immediately after eating, wait an hour and a half.
  • Do not drink alcoholic beverages on the beach.
  • Remove immediately from water in case of chills or headache.
  • Always follow the instructions of the first responders. If you travel
  • Be careful what you eat and drink. Disinfecting water with chlorine or iodine is effective in fighting certain bacteria and it is essential to bring it to a boil. Bottled drinks are, in principle, safe, but be careful if you have to ice them because you don't know what water they have prepared with.
  • If you're not very sure about food, you can peel, swallow, or cook it yourself.
  • Eating unprepared fish is healthy, but it can be dangerous because it can contain parasites.
  • Cases of seafood poisoning are numerous.
  • Milk and dairy products should be boiled, pasteurized or sterilized.
  • Avoid barefoot walking and wear appropriate footwear.

Published in D2 section of Deia.