First Aid & Self-Care topics
- Accidents and injuries
- Bites and stings
- Child safety
- Dealing with illness
- Dehydration and heat
- Dental health
Accidents and injuries
Let myDr show you how to deal with accidents and injuries when they occur.
Glaucoma linked with car accidents
People with glaucoma are 4 times more likely to have a car accident than Australians with normal vision, an ophthalmologist warns.
Accidental poisoning
Children's curiosity can lead to danger, such as unintentional poisoning.
Alcohol and bicycles: a bad combination
Driving while under the influence of alcohol is known to be dangerous, but cycling while drunk is no better.
Bee stings
First-aid advice on the best treatment for bee stings. Find out about severe reactions and how to avoid being stung by a bee.
Blisters
A blister is a lump filled with fluid that appears when the skin s outer layer is injured. The fluid forms under the damaged skin and protects the sensitive new skin growing underneath it.
Brain Injury Awareness Week
Brain Injury Awareness Week aims to increase public awareness of acquired brain injury - damage to the brain after birth caused, for example, by accident, stroke, alcohol or other drugs.
Burns
Burns are serious injuries that can cause permanent skin damage. Ugly scars can result. Children, having more sensitive skin than adults, are particularly at risk of burns due to scalding from hot liquid - common examples being in the bath and by the kitc
Burns: children at risk from hair straighteners
Increasing numbers of children are suffering contact burns caused by hair-straightening devices, Australian experts say.
Burns: how to treat
A burn is an injury to the body's tissue resulting from heat, chemicals, electricity or sunlight. The severity of a burn depends on the amount of tissue affected and the depth of the injury.
Child safety: preventing choking and suffocation
Find out how to reduce the risk of your child choking or suffocating.
Child safety: preventing poisoning
In Australia, about 50 children a week are admitted to hospital because of poisoning.
Childhood injuries
Australia is one of the worst countries when it comes to injuries to children.
Concussion
Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that causes temporary changes to brain function, such as loss of consciousness. It is a common sports injury.
Corneal injuries
Injuries to the cornea are very common, and may include abrasions (scratches), lacerations and foreign bodies. Find out more about the causes, symptoms, diganosis, treatment and prevention of corneal injuries.
Diving accidents
Diving into shallow water can cause spinal cord injuries leading to paraplegia, tetraplegia (quadriplegia) or death.
Eye injuries: prevention
While eye injuries are common, most eye injuries are preventable. Read about some suggestions to protect your eyes from injury.
First aid for bites and stings
Snakes, spiders, bees, jellyfish and molluscs, such as the blue ringed octopus and cone snail, can all inflict a sting or bite that may cause significant illness and occasionally death.
First aid for burns
The best way of treating burns will depend on the part(s) of the body affected, and the size and depth of the burn.
First aid for stroke
Some helpful tips on first aid for stroke and what to do when someone is having a stroke.
First aid in an emergency
Find out what to do if you witness an emergency or see someone who is unconscious and needs help.
Holiday hazards: quick tips
Quick tips to see you through the hazards of summer, whether you holiday at home or overseas!
Medicines line: telephone service
Medicines Line telephone service provides Australians with trusted information about prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines.
Muscle and joint strains and sprains
Muscle strains or joint sprains happen when muscles or ligaments are overstretched and can take up to 6 weeks to heal.
Nosebleeds
What causes nosebleeds? How can I prevent them? What first aid measures can I use to stop a nosebleed? Find out here.
Seizures: first aid
First aid and how to help when a person has a seizure.
Splinter removal
Some splinters are serious and should be removed by a medical professional.
Stroke risk higher after brain injury
People who have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at a 10-fold increased risk of stroke within the first 3 months after their injury, a large study has shown.
Sunburn
Generally, light-skinned people have the highest risk of getting sunburned, but skin of any colour can be damaged by the sun's rays.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a dangerous infection that is easily prevented by keeping your vaccination up to date.
Vomiting can be a sign of skull fracture
Research has shown that a sign of a possible skull fracture is vomiting.
Water safety
Here are some tips for playing it safe in the water.
Watercraft injuries a seasonal hazard
Recreational boating and watercraft accidents are common at Christmas and can result in serious injury and loss of limb due to boat propellers.
World First Aid Day
On World First Aid Day, Australian Red Cross asks us to take the time to thank a first aider and to participate in first aid training.
People with glaucoma are 4 times more likely to have a car accident than Australians with normal vision, an ophthalmologist warns.
Accidental poisoning
Children's curiosity can lead to danger, such as unintentional poisoning.
Alcohol and bicycles: a bad combination
Driving while under the influence of alcohol is known to be dangerous, but cycling while drunk is no better.
Bee stings
First-aid advice on the best treatment for bee stings. Find out about severe reactions and how to avoid being stung by a bee.
Blisters
A blister is a lump filled with fluid that appears when the skin s outer layer is injured. The fluid forms under the damaged skin and protects the sensitive new skin growing underneath it.
Brain Injury Awareness Week
Brain Injury Awareness Week aims to increase public awareness of acquired brain injury - damage to the brain after birth caused, for example, by accident, stroke, alcohol or other drugs.
Burns
Burns are serious injuries that can cause permanent skin damage. Ugly scars can result. Children, having more sensitive skin than adults, are particularly at risk of burns due to scalding from hot liquid - common examples being in the bath and by the kitc
Burns: children at risk from hair straighteners
Increasing numbers of children are suffering contact burns caused by hair-straightening devices, Australian experts say.
Burns: how to treat
A burn is an injury to the body's tissue resulting from heat, chemicals, electricity or sunlight. The severity of a burn depends on the amount of tissue affected and the depth of the injury.
Child safety: preventing choking and suffocation
Find out how to reduce the risk of your child choking or suffocating.
Child safety: preventing poisoning
In Australia, about 50 children a week are admitted to hospital because of poisoning.
Childhood injuries
Australia is one of the worst countries when it comes to injuries to children.
Concussion
Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that causes temporary changes to brain function, such as loss of consciousness. It is a common sports injury.
Corneal injuries
Injuries to the cornea are very common, and may include abrasions (scratches), lacerations and foreign bodies. Find out more about the causes, symptoms, diganosis, treatment and prevention of corneal injuries.
Diving accidents
Diving into shallow water can cause spinal cord injuries leading to paraplegia, tetraplegia (quadriplegia) or death.
Eye injuries: prevention
While eye injuries are common, most eye injuries are preventable. Read about some suggestions to protect your eyes from injury.
First aid for bites and stings
Snakes, spiders, bees, jellyfish and molluscs, such as the blue ringed octopus and cone snail, can all inflict a sting or bite that may cause significant illness and occasionally death.
First aid for burns
The best way of treating burns will depend on the part(s) of the body affected, and the size and depth of the burn.
First aid for stroke
Some helpful tips on first aid for stroke and what to do when someone is having a stroke.
First aid in an emergency
Find out what to do if you witness an emergency or see someone who is unconscious and needs help.
Holiday hazards: quick tips
Quick tips to see you through the hazards of summer, whether you holiday at home or overseas!
Medicines line: telephone service
Medicines Line telephone service provides Australians with trusted information about prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines.
Muscle and joint strains and sprains
Muscle strains or joint sprains happen when muscles or ligaments are overstretched and can take up to 6 weeks to heal.
Nosebleeds
What causes nosebleeds? How can I prevent them? What first aid measures can I use to stop a nosebleed? Find out here.
Seizures: first aid
First aid and how to help when a person has a seizure.
Splinter removal
Some splinters are serious and should be removed by a medical professional.
Stroke risk higher after brain injury
People who have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at a 10-fold increased risk of stroke within the first 3 months after their injury, a large study has shown.
Sunburn
Generally, light-skinned people have the highest risk of getting sunburned, but skin of any colour can be damaged by the sun's rays.
Tetanus
Tetanus is a dangerous infection that is easily prevented by keeping your vaccination up to date.
Vomiting can be a sign of skull fracture
Research has shown that a sign of a possible skull fracture is vomiting.
Water safety
Here are some tips for playing it safe in the water.
Watercraft injuries a seasonal hazard
Recreational boating and watercraft accidents are common at Christmas and can result in serious injury and loss of limb due to boat propellers.
World First Aid Day
On World First Aid Day, Australian Red Cross asks us to take the time to thank a first aider and to participate in first aid training.
