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| | From:  Annie-LL (Original Message) | Sent: 2/25/2005 4:01 AM |
| Black Eye | | | | The black eye is caused by bleeding beneath the skin around the eye. Sometimes a black eye indicates a more serious injury, even a skull fracture. Although most injuries are not serious, bleeding within the eye, called a hyphema, is serious and can reduce vision and damage the cornea. Follow these steps to take care of a
black eye. | Using gentle pressure, apply ice or a cold pack to the area around the eye for 10 to 15 minutes. Be careful not to press on the eye itself. Apply cold as soon as possible after the injury to reduce swelling. Be sure there is no blood in the white and colored parts of the eye. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience vision problems, (such as double vision or blurring), severe pain or bleeding in the eye or from the nose. | | |
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| Blisters | | | | Blisters are usually caused by friction or burns. If the blister isn't too severe or
painful, try to keep the unbroken skin intact. It provides a natural barrier to bacteria and decreases the risk of infection. Cover the blister with a small bandage to protect it. If the blister is painful, drain the fluid while leaving the overlying skin intact by following these steps: - Wash your hands and the blister with warm water and soap.
- Swab the blister with rubbing alcohol to kill germs.
- Sterilize a clean, sharp needle by wiping it with rubbing alcohol.
- Use the needle to puncture the blister. Puncture several spots near the blister's edge. Let the fluid drain, but leave the overlying skin in place.
- Apply a natural antibiotic, such as Goldenseal, St. Johnswort,
or Yerba Mansa, and cover with a bandage. (There are several antibiotic ointments that you can make yourself on the Salves & Ointments page. - After several days, use tweezers and scissors that have been sterilized in rubbing alcohol to cut away the dead skin. Apply more antibiotic.
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| Cold Sores | | | | Cold sores (herpes simplex) are caused by a common virus of the chickenpox family that in another form may cause either genital herpes or shingles (herpes zoster). | First Aid Improve your general resistance by taking plenty of Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables. Avoid foods (such as peanuts and chocolate) that are rich in the amino acid argenine, which may have the effect of triggering an attack of cold sores. A supplement of the amino acid L-lysine is said to restrict attacks. | | Herbal Treatments Drink herb teas made from Burdock, Yellow Dock, and Dandelion root. Boost the immune system by combining these with herbs such as Echinacea, and Licorice. Locally, apply directly to the cold sore a diluted tincture of Calendula or Goldenseal. | | | | |
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| Cold Sores | | | | Cold sores (herpes simplex) are caused by a common virus of the chickenpox family that in another form may cause either genital herpes or shingles (herpes zoster). | First Aid Improve your general resistance by taking plenty of Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables. Avoid foods (such as peanuts and chocolate) that are rich in the amino acid argenine, which may have the effect of triggering an attack of cold sores. A supplement of the amino acid L-lysine is said to restrict attacks. | | Herbal Treatments Drink herb teas made from Burdock, Yellow Dock, and Dandelion root. Boost the immune system by combining these with herbs such as Echinacea, and Licorice. Locally, apply directly to the cold sore a diluted tincture of Calendula or Goldenseal. | | | | |
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| Earache | | | Caution: Earache may be a symptom of a serious middle-ear infection, particularly if it occurs in children. Seek medical assistance for earache. | First Aid
Fill a hot water bottle with warm water, cover it with a cloth, and apply it to the ear. | | Herbal Treatments Make a decoction of 1/4 tsp Goldenseal powder and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a hard boil and then remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Strain through a coffee filter. Let it cool down to body temperature, (the ear is very sensitive to heat and cold). Fill a dropper with the decoction and drop a few drops on the inside of your arm to check the temperature. With the head tilted sideways, put the dropperful of Goldenseal in the ear and hold it there for about a minute. Repeat as needed. | | |
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| Insect Bites & Stings | | | | Symptoms of an insect bite result from the injection of venom or other substances into your skin. Bees leave their barbed stings behind the skin, unlike wasps. The venom triggers an allergic (immune) reaction. The severity of your reaction depends on your sensitivity to the insect venom or substance. Most reactions are mild, causing little more than an annoying itching or stinging sensation and mild swelling that disappears within a day or so. A delayed reaction may cause fever, painful joints, hives and swollen glands. Bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants are the most troublesome insects. Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies and some spiders also can cause reactions, but these are generally milder. | For Mild Reactions: 1.Move to a safe area to avoid more stings.
2.Try to remove the stinger by scraping or brushing it off with a firm edge, such as a credit card or a knife. A stinger that is not removed continues to release venom into the body for as long as 20 minutes.
3.A bee sting may be washed using baking soda applied as a paste to the site. You can treat wasp and mosquito bites by applying lemon juice, witch hazel, cider vinegar, or crushed Plantain leaves. Lavender oil or tincture of Lobelia rubbed on the affected area will help to remove the discomfort of a bee or wasp sting or an insect bite.
4.If you start to have a reaction, take an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl or Tylenol Severe Allergy). | | For Severe Reactions: Severe reactions may progress rapidly. Dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms: Difficulty breathing
Swelling of your lips or throat
Faintness
Confusion
Rapid heartbeat
Hives
Nausea, cramps or vomiting While waiting for emergency transportation, consider giving the person an antihistamine and check to see if the person is carrying an allergy kit containing epinephrine. Follow the instructions on the kit. Less severe reactions: Include mild nausea and intestinal cramps, diarrhea, or swelling larger than 2 inches in diameter at the site. See your physician promptly if you experience any of these signs or symptoms. | | |
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| Nosebleed | | | | CAUTION: Nosebleeds which occur after a blow on the head can be a sign of a fractured skull. Seek medical help immediately. To stop a nosebleed:
Sit or stand up. Keep your head higher than the level of your heart. By remaining upright, you reduce blood pressure in the veins of your nose. Pinch your nose with your thumb and index finger and breathe through your mouth. Continue to hold for about 10 minutes. Don't apply ice to the nose. This is of little or no benefit. The cold only tightens the blood vessels on the surface of the nose and doesn't penetrate deeply enough to help. To prevent re-bleeding after bleeding has stopped, don't pick or blow your nose for several hours after the bleeding episode; don't bend down; and keep your head higher than the level of your heart. Seek medical care immediately if:
The bleeding lasts for more than 20 to 30 minutes. You feel weak or faint, which can result from the blood loss. The bleeding is heavy and the amount of blood loss is great. Bleeding begins by trickling down the back of the neck. | Herbal Treatments Slippery Elm is a specific for mucous membranes. Try sniffing a little Slippery Elm Powder. | | |
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| Poison Ivy | | | | CAUTION: Don't scratch! Scratching spreads the poison. | First Aid As soon as possible, wash the skin thoroughly with household soap and plenty of water. Scrub the skin well. Wash the contaminated clothes and shoes or you could be re-affected with poison ivy again even after it has dried. | | Herbal Treatments Crushed leaves of Jewelweed are poulticed on recent poison ivy rash -- a well known folk remedy. Also the mucilaginous stem juice can be applied to the rash. Lobelia is also good for poison ivy irritation. Other remedies include squeezing the juice of Aloe Vera leaf onto the affected area, or bathe it with cider vinegar. | | |
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| Sunburn | | | Sunburn usually appears within a few hours of exposure. It causes pain, redness, swelling and occasional blistering. If a large area is exposed, sunburn can cause headache, fever and fatigue. | Herbal Treatments * Take a cool bath or shower. * Apply fresh Aloe Vera several times a day. * Leave blisters alone. This will speed healing and avoid infection. If the blisters burst open, apply an antibiotic to the open areas. There are a few natural antibiotics you can use, such as: Goldenseal, St. Johnswort, and Yerba Mansa. There are several antibiotic ointments that you can make yourself on the Salves & Ointments page. | CAUTION: If your sunburn begins to blister and you experience immediate
complications, such as rash, itching or fever, seek medical assistance. | | | |
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