2
Save someone who’s overdosed on opioids.
Every day, about 130 Americans die from opioids, which include prescription
painkillers and street drugs like heroin and fentanyl. Thankfully, naloxone—the
opioid-overdose reversal drug—is now widely available, is covered by most insur-
ance plans, and can even be bought at many drugstores out of pocket without a
prescription, says Patricia Aussem, director of clinical content at the Center on
Addiction in New York City. If you live in an area with an opioid problem or know
someone struggling with addiction, keep a dose on hand and follow these steps.
IDENTIFY THE SIGNS. If someone is barely breathing and has blue lips and
fingertips, rub your fist hard under their nose or along their breastbone, says
Aussem. If there’s no reaction—and especially if there’s labored breathing,
choking sounds, and a slow or absent pulse—call 911 ASAP. If you must step
away for a moment, roll the person onto their side, put their head on their arm,
and bend their top knee. This helps prevent them from choking if they vomit.
ADMINISTER NALOXONE. One formulation, Narcan, is a nasal spray: Hold the
device in the person’s nostril and press the plunger. Evzio is like an EpiPen: Pull
off the seal, place it on the thigh, press down, and hold for five seconds.
GET MORE HELP. The benefits of naloxone last from 30 to 90 minutes, so the
person can stop breathing again once the naloxone wears off, without further aid.
1
Treat a burn.
Most burns that happen in the
home result from mundane
situations (you forgot to put on
an oven mitt before grabbing that
pan of lasagna), and you can treat
them yourself. But depending on
the severity and size, some burns
need immediate medical care.
ASSESS THE SEVERITY OF
THE BURN. If the area is red and
painful but there’s no broken
skin or blistering, it’s a superfi-
cial (or first-degree) burn and can
be treated at home. If there are
blisters or broken skin, it’s most
likely a partial-thickness (second-
degree) burn. This type can some-
times be treated at home, “but if
there’s a large blister or the burn
is on the hands, face, or throat,
get medical treatment right away,”
says Epstein. The most serious
type of burn is a full-thickness
(third-degree) burn, which can
appear white and waxy or black
and charred. “The center of this
burn won’t hurt, because you’ve
burned away all the nerve end-
ings,” explains Epstein. “However,
the outer edges, which will have
first- or second-degree burns,
can be very painful.” If you get
one of these, call 911 or go to an
emergency room immediately.
STOP THE BURNING PROCESS
by holding the wound under cold,
running water for 10 minutes, says
Epstein. “If you’re outdoors and
there’s no running water, you can
pour cool water onto a clean cloth
and hold that to the burn,” he says.
Do not place ice directly on the
burn, as it can freeze and damage
the skin cells.
ONCE THE BURN HAS COOLED
OFF, COVER IT LOOSELY WITH
CLEAN GAUZE. (Skip adhesive
bandages, which can stick to the
damaged skin.) Do not pop any
blisters—the skin underneath
needs to heal to prevent infection.
KEEP IT MOIST. Applying antibi-
otic ointment or petroleum jelly
will feel good and help with
healing. Steer clear of home rem-
edies like butter or toothpaste,
despite what your grandmother
may have told you.
98 REAL SIMPLE NOVEMBER 2019
BALANCE
