Hesperian Health Guides
Other problems that can happen with seizures
HealthWiki > Epilepsy and Seizures > Chapter 2: How to help a person having a seizure > Other problems that can happen with seizures
Contents
If a person vomits
If a person vomits during a seizure, roll them onto their side to keep their airway clear and prevent choking. Turn their head slightly so fluids can drain from the mouth. Only offer water or help them clean up once they are fully awake. Call for medical help if they are having trouble breathing.
If a person vomits after a seizure, you can suggest they lie on their side to prevent them from swallowing or choking on their vomit. Then help them clean up and offer them something to drink.
If a person loses bladder or bowel control
During a seizure, a personâs muscles may clench and unclench, or become tense and rigid, or loose and weak. This can cause them to accidentally urinate (wet themselves) or defecate (soil themselves). As they come out of the seizure, cover any wet or soiled clothing with something like a blanket or coat and calmly explain what happened. Once they are alert and able to move safely, offer them assistance with cleaning up and changing clothes, if needed. Let them know this is very common and happens without their control. Reassure them that it is nothing to be ashamed of and is a common effect of seizures.
If a person wants to sleep right away
Some people are very tired after a seizure and have difficulty staying awake. This is not a problem as long as they are breathing well and you do not see or suspect any injuries, especially to the head, back, or neck. You might roll them onto their side to prevent choking on saliva in case another seizure happens while they are resting.
If the person is wearing glasses, remove them so they do not break, as well as any large or unsafe items from their pockets.
If a person is injured or bleeding
Body injuries are common from seizures, especially if a person loses consciousness and falls. Because a person may not be able to feel injuries or talk immediately after a seizure, look carefully for any bumps, bruises, scrapes, or bleeding. Pay attention to areas most likely to be affected by a fall, such as the head, face, arms, and legs. If appropriate and the person agrees, check for tenderness or swelling by lightly touching exposed skin.
If a bone breaks during a fall, the person needs to go to a hospital or clinic. If they have broken bones in their head, neck, or back, bring medical help to themâmoving them might worsen the injury.
If the person is bleeding, press a clean piece of cloth directly and firmly on the wound (even large, heavily bleeding wounds) and keep pressing until the bleeding stops. If the cloth gets soaked with blood, use another cloth on top of it rather than replacing it. For a large wound, keep pressure on for at least 15 minutes after the bleeding has stopped. If possible, keep the injured body part above the level of the personâs heart.
For more information on broken bones, head or back injuries, or treating wounds, see Hesperianâs Pocket Where There Is No Doctor: First Aid.
If a person breaks or knocks out a tooth
If a person breaks or knocks out a tooth during a seizure, first help them rinse their mouth with warm salt water to keep the area clean and reduce the risk of infection. There will likely be bleeding in the gum around the tooth. If the tooth has come out, stop bleeding by placing a clean cloth, cotton, or gauze where it had been. Ask the person to bite down gently to maintain pressure and stop the bleeding. An ice pack on the cheek near the injury can reduce pain and swelling.
If the person can get to a dentist within an hour of the injury, it may be possible to save the tooth. Hold the tooth at the top and rinse it with milk or salt water. Be careful not to scrub or remove any tissue attached to the tooth. Place it in a container with milk, salt water, or even the personâs saliva, or wrap it in a clean, wet cloth or gauze. Get to a dentist as quickly as possible.
If a person is burned
If a person has a seizure near a fire, flame, or hot surface, they may get burned. Burns can be minor or severe depending on how long and how much of a personâs skin is involved.
What to do immediately
- Stop the burning as soon as possible. Move the person away from the hot surface or flame. Be careful not to get burned yourself.
- Remove any jewelry, belts, or tight clothing near the burn. Do not try to remove anything stuck to the skin.
- Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes. Cooling helps stop the burn from going deeper and reduces pain. If running water is not available, use a clean, cool, wet cloth or compress.
- Do not put ice, grease, fat, animal hides or skins, coffee, herbs, or feces on a burn. These will damage skin more.
- Give aspirin, paracetamol (acetaminophen), or ibuprofen to treat pain. Aspirin is not safe for children under 16 years. For information on pain medicines, see Chapter 4.
How to care for burns
Minor burns on hands, face, and feet. Cool the burn with running water as suggested above. Clean the burned area with soap and water. Use gloves or plastic bags on your hands to avoid touching blood or body fluids or anything touched by them. Gently cover the burn with sterile gauze or sterilized cloth. Secure with medical tape or bandages.
If the burn is on an arm or leg, keep it elevated to lessen swelling. If the burn is on hands or feet, separate fingers or toes with a clean cloth.
Give an antihistamine (such as diphenhydramine) if the burn itches as it heals. Small burns should heal by themselves in about 2 weeks.
See a health worker if the burn shows signs of infection: increased redness, swelling, pus or a bad smell, or if the person has a fever.
Severe burns. A burn is severe if it covers a large area, is deep and affects more than the top layer of skin, or is combined with other injuries. Burns in children are always considered severe and must be treated carefully. Get emergency medical help even if you are far from a clinic or hospital.
If you cannot reach a health center immediately, keep the burn area clean and dry. If the burn is dirty, gently rinse the surface with clean water. If you can, mix 1 part povidone iodine with 4 parts lukewarm water that is boiled, then cooled. Scrub gently so the burn does not bleed. Dry the area by blottingânot rubbingâwith sterile gauze or sterilized cloth. Wearing sterile gloves, put one of the following directly on the burn to kill germs:
- Silver sulfadiazine: Use a thin layer. Do not use on eyelids, lips, or children less than 2 months old. âorâ
- Honey: Use a thin layer. âorâ
- Sugar: Pour granulated sugar over the burn to cover it. Throw away any sugar that does not stick but falls off. Do not put it back on wound.
Gently cover the burn with sterile gauze or sterilized cloth and secure this with tape or bandages.
Change the cloth or gauze covering daily and reapply the anti-germ treatment described above. Give pain medicine before cleaning or changing the dressing.
If a person is aggressive or shows unusual behaviors
Some seizures can cause a person to thrash, shout, swear, or strike out at people nearby. These actions are usually not done on purpose and the person often will not remember them after the seizure. Try to stay calm, give the person space, and keep them and those around them safe. Do not attempt to restrain the person or argue with them.