What is the first aid in the event of an injury? It all depends on the type of wound. In the event of a simple abrasion or minor cut, it is enough to clean the wound with cold water. However, in some cases, a visit to the emergency room is necessary, for example to remove a foreign body from a wound, to receive a tetanus vaccine or to suture the edges of a wound. Check what the first aid looks like in the event of an injury and when a doctor's intervention is necessary.

Injuryis a break in the continuity of skin tissue that results from an injury. Proper wound cleansing is the removal of all contaminants and bacteria. It is an important element for proper healing.

Types of wounds

  • abrasion of the epidermis- only the epidermis is damaged (it leads to the exposure of the dermis). With more severe abrasion, if the dermis tissue is also damaged, the surface of the abrasion becomes covered with blood droplets, which clot and form a scab;
  • cut wound- results from being cut with a sharp tool. It is accompanied by heavy bleeding due to damage to the blood vessels;
  • bruised wound- the impact breaks the skin and epidermal tissue, the edges of the wound are crushed and uneven. These types of wounds bleed less, swellings and bruises appear at the site of injury;
  • stab wound- is small in diameter, but can be deep. The edges of the wound are usually close together. Keep in mind that a stab wound may not appear serious, but can be life-threatening if there is damage to the internal organs.
  • lacerationshas features of both cuts and bruises;
  • wound bitten- most often it is caused by an animal bite. A crush zone is created around this type of wound, and therefore these wounds heal poorly. Due to the risk of infection, bite wounds always require medical consultation.

First aid in case of injury

In each case, attention should be paid to the general condition of the patient. Symptoms such as pallor, circulatory or respiratory disorders should be disturbing.

First aid in case of cuts consists in:

  • stop bleeding,
  • preventing wound infectionby disinfecting and applying an appropriate dressing,
  • immobilization, if injured limb,
  • taking the victim to the emergency room as soon as possible, if necessary.

How to disinfect the wound?

After thoroughly cleansing the wound and rinsing it with CLEAN WATER, the wound can be disinfected with a wound disinfectant and covered with a band-aid.

When you can't stop the bleeding

If the wound is large and bleeding heavily, gently press down with a clean gauze pad, lift the injured arm (leg) higher up and see a doctor immediately. Extensive or deep wounds may require surgical sutures.

Important

Deep wound - risk of tetanus infection

Any deep cut or wound in which a piece of glass, wood or metal is stuck requires medical attention. Under no circumstances may you remove them yourself. A bitten wound also requires a visit to a doctor. A deep wound that is contaminated with earth may require administration of tetanus toxoid. Remember that the last compulsory vaccination against tetanus is taken at the age of 19, then every 10 years you have to repeat it yourself. It is worth doing this before going on vacation, especially in countries with low sanitary standards.

When a wound heals badly

In the case of large skin lesions, the healing process begins with the formation of a wound or cut in the bottom, the so-called granulation tissue from blood vessels built by fibroblasts. Such wound healing requires careful care. In the case of difficult-to-heal wounds, a scar usually remains. When swelling or exudation develops, see your doctor quickly for an infection.

Category:

He alth