Problem: Article: Before treating a wound, it's recommended that you do so with clean hands. This can prevent bacteria from your hands affecting the wound. If you have access to running water and soap, use this to clean your hands. However, wounds often happen when camping. In this case, you may have to improvise. If you have any kind of clean, disposable gloves, try using these. However, do not use regular gloves, as these probably contain a lot of bacteria. Only use previously unused disposable plastic gloves, that have been stored in a sealable bag or container. If you have some kind of hand sanitizer, you may want to use this. It can get some of the bacteria off of your hands. You want to stop bleeding, as blood loss can lead to serious complications. Most minor wounds will stop bleeding if you apply a small amount of pressure to the wound. You should apply pressure for 10 to 15 minutes, then examine the wound. If it's still bleeding, apply pressure for another 10 to 15 minutes. Ideally, you would use a clean cloth or band-aid in this situation, as all materials should be sterile. Without proper supplies, however, you may have to improvise. If you have clean gloves, direct hand-to-wound contact may be safe in this case, and even preferable to using unclean cloths or clothing. Without gloves, however, things can get complicated. You could see if you have any supplies on hand. Sterile bandaids can help. Tampons are generally sterile, and some soldiers and campers have used them to apply pressure or dress a wound. This can also be an option in a bind. Keep in mind there is no substitute for safe, sterile material you would find in a hospital or in a conventional first aid kid. If you have to apply pressure to a wound with questionable material, you should seek medical attention as soon as you are able. If you're camping in a group, it's a good idea to have someone seek out medical help while you're applying pressure to a wound. Once the bleeding stops, examine the wound. You want to assess how serious the damage is, as this information can be useful when you receive medical care. The area outside the wound should be pink. The wounded party should not be experiencing loss of sensation. If you notice loss of sensation, or any major discolorations, this is a sign of a serious infection. Your top priority should be seeking medical help. Do so before proceeding. Untreated infections can cause serious, possibly deadly, complications. If the wound does not look seriously infected, proper cleaning can prevent infection. Ideally, you would should use saline, tap water, or disinfected water. Do not use water from a stream to clean a wound. In a bind, tap water is fine. If you're camping, see if you have any bottled water on hand to clean the wound. Iodine, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide should be avoided, however, as these can cause tissue damage. Pour water over the wound to wash away any dirt and bacteria. Be careful. Pour with enough force to dislodge any foreign materials, but do not pour so vigorously dirt and debris gets further lodged in the wound. Covering a wound can greatly help prevent infection. If you have sterile material, you can use this to bandage the wound. Ideally, you should use sterile bandages or gauze from a first aid kit. You may have to improvise, however, and make temporary use of sterile materials like tampons. A minor cut or scrape can probably be left uncovered. It may be safer to leave minor scrapes uncovered if you do not have proper supplies.
Summary: Wash your hands, if possible. Apply pressure. Examine the wound when the bleeding stops. Clean the wound as best you can. Cover the wound, if possible.

Problem: Article: An adult or older child should be able to identify if she has an ear infection. An infant cannot, so you will have to look for symptoms. The symptoms of an ear infection include: Tugging or pulling at the ear (this may be the only sign in some infants) Ear pain, especially when lying down Irritability, crying, and fussiness Difficulty sleeping Hearing loss Fever of 100oF or higher Loss of appetite Drainage from the ear Dizziness or a feeling that the room is spinning Warmth, redness, or pain around the ear Swelling or itching Ear infections cannot be caught from another person. However, certain conditions can lead to ear infections. Be alert for ear infections if you or your child encounter any of the following conditions: Allergies, colds, or sinus infections Cold climates Changes in altitude or climate Pacifier or sippy cup use, or drinking a bottle while lying down Exposure to smoke Family history of ear infections Most ear infections can be treated at home. However, some ear infections are severe and need to be taken care of by a doctor. Call your doctor if any of the following apply: Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher Severe pain Severe pain that suddenly stops. This may indicate a ruptured eardrum. Drainage from the ear Any new symptoms, such as dizziness, headache, swelling, or weakness in the facial muscles If the ear pain lasts more than 24 hours Change in hearing ability
Summary: Recognize the symptoms of an ear infection. Monitor the risks for ear infections. Contact your physician.

Problem: Article: There are lots of different reasons why you might want to get closure on something. For example, you might want closure regarding a breakup, something bad that happened to you as a child, or something that you did to someone else. Whatever the situation or your reasons for wanting to get closure, you will need to identify them to move forward. Try to pinpoint the situation that you are seeking closure for and the reasons why you want to get closure. What person or experience are you holding on to and why? For example, perhaps you were bullied when you were a child and it's still affecting your life and self-esteem. Or, perhaps you suffered the effects of domestic violence when you were growing up. Keep in mind that seeking closure for something traumatic that happened to you can be difficult without the help of a trained mental health professional. Consider seeking help from a counselor before you begin this process. Rather, plan a roadmap of the progress you hope to make. Now that you know how you feel about what happened, think about how you would like to feel. What would it help you to know? What do you want for yourself? For instance, closure might mean that you get your self-esteem back after a breakup, in which case you should plan to focus on yourself, let go of thoughts of your ex, have fun with friends, and eventually start dating again. Or, closure might mean that you stop replaying an incident from your childhood over in your head. Writing about what happened is a good way to understand it better and start working towards closure. Writing can also help you to clarify your feelings about what happened. However, keep in mind that writing about your feelings is often the most difficult part of getting closure, so you should do this in the safety of a trained therapist's office. Reflect on the situation for which you are seeking closure and write down as many details as you can. Try to write out exactly what happened, every detail you remember, and how each part of it made you feel. Not having closure can interfere with your work life and your daily routines, which is why some people hurry into closure. However, working towards closure can bring up lots of painful emotions. Make sure that you work with a professional as you try to get closure. A therapist can help you by using cognitive behavioral therapy techniques or gestalt therapy techniques. These techniques should not be used without the guidance of a therapist. If you are experiencing feelings of depression, loss of interest in living, or suicidal thoughts, then contact your doctor right away.
Summary:
Think about the situation. Determine what closure means to you. Write about how you feel. Talk to a professional.