In the emergency room, Dr. Jordan Wagner, also known as Doctor ER, treats everything from gunshot trauma to burns.
He also answers health-related questions on his social media channels, including Tik Tok, instagram and Youtube.
Here, Dr Wagner tackles the topic of how to stay healthy on holiday, revealing to the Mail the dos and don’ts of treating illnesses and animal bites and stings, from why you should never put urine on a sting from jellyfish to one of the best ointments. to treat sunburn.
She also shares top tips for dealing with food poisoning, dehydration, and frostbite.
Tanned
Dr. Wagner says, “Don’t peel or scratch sunburned skin or apply petroleum-based products, as they can trap heat and make the burn worse.”
Do
Dr. Wagner says: ‘Apply aloe vera or a soothing lotion to the affected area. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. And take over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce inflammation and discomfort.
No
Dr. Wagner says, “Don’t peel or scratch sunburned skin or apply petroleum-based products, as they can trap heat and make the burn worse.” And don’t ignore serious symptoms, such as blisters, fever or chills, which may require medical attention.
Heatstroke
Do
Dr Wagner says: ‘Remove excess clothing and apply cool, damp cloths to the skin. Offer sips of water if the person is conscious and can swallow, and seek emergency medical help if symptoms worsen or if the person loses consciousness.
Dr. Jordan Wagner, aka Doctor ER
No
Dr. Wagner says, “Do not give fluids to the person if they are unconscious or unable to swallow.” Do not use ice or ice water to cool, as it can constrict blood vessels and make it difficult for heat to dissipate. And don’t delay seeking medical attention, as heat stroke can be life-threatening if not treated in time.’
Poisoned food
Do
Dr. Wagner says, “Stay hydrated by drinking clear liquids like water or electrolyte solutions.” Eat soft, easily digestible foods, such as crackers, rice, or bananas, once vomiting and diarrhea have stopped.
“And seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen, especially in cases of severe dehydration or bloody diarrhea.”
No
Dr. Wagner says, “Don’t eat dairy, spicy or fatty foods that can further upset your stomach.” Do not take antidiarrheal medications without consulting a healthcare professional. And do not handle or prepare food for other people until you are fully recovered to avoid spreading the disease.’
Stung by a jellyfishh
Dr. Wagner says, “Do not use alcohol or urine to rinse a jellyfish sting, as they can aggravate the injury.”
Do
Dr Wagner says: ‘Rinse the affected area with vinegar to neutralize the poison. Remove the tentacles with tweezers, taking care to avoid direct contact with the skin. And seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or if the bite covers a large area of the body.
No
Dr. Wagner says, “Do not rinse the area with fresh water, as it may activate any remaining poison.” Do not use alcohol or urine to rinse the bite, as they can aggravate the injury. And don’t ignore signs of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
Bitten by a poisonous spider, snake, centipede, or scorpion
Don’t try to breathe in the poison, warns Dr. Wagner
Do
Dr. Wagner says, “Keep the bitten area immobilized and at or below heart level to slow the spread of venom.” Clean the wound with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection, and apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth to reduce swelling and pain.
And seek immediate medical attention, especially if the bite is from a venomous snake or spider. It is important to keep in mind that not all hospitals or medical centers have antidote, but they can tell you the closest center that has it.
No
Dr. Wagner says, “Do not try to suction out the venom or make incisions near the sting site, as this can worsen tissue damage.”
‘Do not apply a tourniquet or restrictive band over the bite, as it can trap the venom in the affected area. And don’t delay seeking medical help, even if symptoms are mild, as venomous bites can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Wasp sting
Dr. Wagner says, “Do not use tweezers to remove the (wasp) stinger, as this can introduce more venom into the wound.”
Do
Dr. Wagner says, “Remove the stinger by scraping it off with a credit card or a blunt object, being careful not to squeeze it.” Wash the affected area with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection, and apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth to relieve pain and swelling. Take antihistamines or over-the-counter pain relievers as needed.
No
If you are dehydrated, do not wait until you are thirsty to drink fluids, as thirst is a late sign of dehydration.
Dr. Wagner says, “Do not use tweezers to remove the stinger, as this can introduce more venom into the wound.” Do not scratch or rub the affected area, as this can increase inflammation and discomfort. And don’t ignore signs of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat. Seek medical help as soon as possible.
Dehydration
Do
Dr. Wagner says, “Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.” Rest in a cool, shaded area to prevent further fluid loss through sweating. Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or if dehydration persists despite efforts to rehydrate.
No
Dr. Wagner says, “Don’t consume alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, as they can increase urine output and worsen dehydration.” Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink fluids, as thirst is a late sign of dehydration. Don’t ignore symptoms of dehydration, such as dry mouth, dark urine, or dizziness.
Freezing
Do
Dr Wagner says: ‘Immerse the affected area in warm, not hot, water or apply warm compresses to gradually rewarm the tissue. Elevate the affected area to reduce swelling, if possible. And seek medical attention for severe frostbite or if the skin appears white, numb, or waxy.
No
Dr. Wagner says, “Do not use direct heat sources such as a heating pad or fire to reheat the skin, as this can cause burns.” Do not massage or manipulate the affected area, as this may increase tissue damage. And don’t ignore signs of hypothermia or shock, which can accompany severe frostbite and require immediate medical attention.
Hypothermia
Trying to warm someone with hypothermia too quickly could lead to cardiac arrest, says Dr. Wagner
Do
Dr. Wagner says: ‘Move to a warm, dry area and remove wet clothing. Wrap the person in blankets or warm clothing and give them hot drinks if they are conscious and can swallow. And monitor breathing and pulse and seek medical attention if necessary.
No
Dr. Wagner says, “Do not try to rewarm the person too quickly, as it may lead to shock or cardiac arrest.” And don’t rub or massage the person’s extremities, as this can cause more tissue damage. Also, do not give the person alcohol, caffeine, or tobacco, as they can make hypothermia worse.
Wild animal bite
Do
Dr. Wagner says, “Cleanse the wound with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection.” Apply an antiseptic cream or ointment to the wound and cover it with a sterile bandage. And seek medical attention for proper wound evaluation and possible rabies vaccination or immunoglobulins, especially if the animal is unknown or suspected of carrying rabies.
No
Dr. Wagner says, “Do not ignore the bite wound, even if it seems minor, as bites from wild animals can lead to serious infections or illnesses such as rabies.” Do not attempt to administer rabies vaccines or treatments without medical supervision. And don’t wait to seek medical attention, as prompt treatment can prevent complications and ensure proper wound care.
For more information about Doctor ER, visit www.youtube.com/@DoctorER, twitter.com/DoctorER and www.instagram.com/doctorer.