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Insect stings and bites
Insect stings are usually harmless. Exceptions include situations where a person has a life-threatening anaphylactic allergic reaction to an insect sting. Similarly, in the case of wasp or bee stings in the mouth, if a small child has been stung, or if there are several stings, the symptoms may require urgent help.
If the symptoms are shortness of breath, a feeling of swelling of the throat, swelling in the facial area, or if there are several stings on the face or neck, call the emergency number, 112. The emergency number must also be called if the person has suffered a serious reaction to an insect sting in the past.
Otherwise, contact your local health centre. You can find links to the contact information for health stations below. For help when the health centre is closed, call the Medical Helpline at 116 117.
Read the self-treatment guidelines for insect stings in the Päivystystalo service of the Terveyskylä websit (in Finnish)
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Tick bites
If a tick has attached itself to your skin, remove it. To do so, use your fingers or a tick pincer to get as close to the site of the bite on the skin as possible and gently pull out the tick by rotating it. If the area around the bite becomes red and expands into a ring, seek medical attention at your local health centre. For information on vaccinations against tick-borne encephalitis, (TBE), contact your health centre. You can find links to the contact information for health stations below.
Read instructions for removing ticks from the skin in the Päivystystalo service of the Terveyskylä website (in Finnish)
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Snake (adder) bites
The only poisonous snake native to Finland is the adder. If a person has been bitten by a snake, acute treatment at a health station is necessary in all cases. You can find links to the contact information for health stations below. When the health centre is closed, call the Medical Helpline at 116 117 for advice on where to go.
If the person who has been bitten develops severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath or vomiting, immediately call the emergency number, 112. |
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Burns
First-degree burns that are smaller in area than the palm of the patient’s hand can be treated at home. In the case of second- and third-degree burns, immediate medical treatment is necessary. For descriptions of the different degrees of burns and self-treatment instructions, follow the link below.
Read about self-treatment of burns in the Päivystystalo service of the Terveyskylä website (in Finnish)
In the case of children, it is also advisable to seek treatment for first-degree burns. You can find links to the contact information for health stations below. For help when the health centre is closed, call the Medical Helpline at 116 117.
Read about the treatment of children’s burns in the Lastentalo service on the Päivystystalo website (in Finnish)
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Dehydration
Mild dehydration can be treated by drinking large amounts of liquids and eating, and via rest and seeking shelter in a cool place. In severe cases of dehydration, seek medical advice.
You can find links to the contact information for health stations below. For help when the health centre is closed, call the Medical Helpline at 116 117.
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Heat stroke and sunstroke
Symptoms of severe heat stroke include weakness, nausea, diarrhoea, confusion or loss of consciousness, and the person requires prompt medical treatment. Sunstroke is a milder form of heat stroke. Symptoms of solar injection pass in a few hours, and home treatment is sufficient.
Read about self-treatment for sunstroke in the Päivystystalo service of the Terveyskylä website (in Finnish)
You can find links to the contact information for health stations below. For help when the health centre is closed, call the Medical Helpline at 116 117.
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Myrkytys
The Poison Information Center responds to inquiries related to the prevention and treatment of sudden intoxication 24 hours a day, every day. To contact the Poison Information Center, call 0800 147 111 (free of charge) or (09) 471 977 (a standard-priced call).
Learn about self-treatment for food poisoning in the Päivystystalo service of the Terveystalo website (in Finnish)
Read more about the Poison Information Center
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Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is usually a mild problem that can be dealt with via self-treatment, and the main form of treatment is drinking plenty of liquids. However, medical treatment if a high fever persists for longer than a day, or if the diarrhoea continues for longer than two days, or if the diarrhoea is so abundant that loss of dehydration cannot be compensated for by drinking liquids. Medical treatment is also necessary if there is blood in the diarrhoea.
Read about the self-treatment of diarrhoea in the Päivystystalo service of the Terveystalo websit (in Finnish) Learn about self-treatment of diarrhoea in children in the in the Lastentalo service of the Terveystalo websit (in Finnish)
Assess symptoms of diarrhoea via the Omaolo service (in Finnish/Swedish)
Read about self-treatment of food poisoning in the Päivystystalo service of the Terveystalo websit (in Finnish)
You can find links to the contact information for health stations below. For help when the health centre is closed, call the Medical Helpline at 116 117.
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Haavat
In the case of wounds, medical assistance for assessment of the injury should be sought if the wound is large or deep, or if there is abundant and persistent bleeding, or if there is a foreign object in the wound. Similarly, medical treatment is necessary in the case of wounds close to very sensitive areas, such as the eyes or throat.
You can find links to the contact information for health stations below. For help when the health centre is closed, call the Medical Helpline at 116 117. In case of serious or life-threatening situations, call the emergency number, 112. |