How to Treat Common At-Home Injuries
Do you know the best way to treat a burn or heal a cut? Each day is filled with little snags, and chances for small injuries. While they are not cause to call 911, it is good to have a handy guide available so that you know the quickest way to help yourself fix and treat at-home injuries.
A Rolled Ankle
Have you ever just gone about your day only to step wrong and roll your ankle? It is quite the painful experience, and many people make the mistake of seeing a doctor right away. This can be costly and a waste of time. Instead, remember that rest is key when you rolled your ankle. You want to prop your ankle up several times throughout the day and ice it in 20-minute intervals. If your ankle is purple or puffy or if walking is excruciating, seek medical help.
Hit in the Head
If you got hit in the head with a softball, or received a similar type of hard hit to the head, you will want to watch for signs of a concussion for several hours. If you vomit, are too dizzy to walk, or pass out, then it is time to seek medical help.
Slice Your Hand Open
What should you do when your MasterChef practicing skills go terribly wrong and you slice your hand open? You should press and clean towel to the wound for five to 10 minutes with your hand elevated. Don’t take a peek at it until after five minutes, or you will have to start all over again. When the bleeding stops, run cold water over it, apply ointment, and bandage it up. It is important to get urgent help if the bleeding does not stop, if the wound is gaping, more than a ½ an inch wide, or goes across a joint.
Calm a Burn
Getting a burn is never enjoyable, but applying ice to it will actually slow down the healing process. Instead, run tepid water over your burn and then apply antibiotic cream and a bandage loosely. You will want to seek medical help immediately if the skin becomes black or blistered right after you burn yourself. If the burn is larger than two centimeters, it is also cautioned that you see a doctor.
Knowing what to do when you are at-home and injure yourself can help you deal with the situation calmly. You will better know what injuries are easy to care for and which ones need serious help.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Medisave UK