Dear Dr. Deena,
I am preparing for a camping trip outdoors. Do you have any easy first-aid advice?
KG
It's so important to plan ahead when it comes to first-aid, especially when traveling. I will dedicate this week to first-aid tips just for you, KG!
I also want to keep this blog open to all of you-- to leave comments and to ask questions about first-aid tips (especially myths that you wish to challenge), or even to share the tips that work for you!
Today I will talk about first aid of minor cuts and scrapes.
Not every cut requires a trip to the emergency room; however, taking the RIGHT care of a minor cut or scrape is very important to prevent infection and scarring.
Always remember to see an MD right away if:
- you find that your cut or scrape is bleeding heavily despite pressure
- your cut looks deep (where fat/muscle/tendons are exposed)
- your cut appears very wide (you might possibly need stitches)
-there is a foreign object deep within the cut that you cannot retrieve on your own
First Aid Tips for Minor Cuts and Scrapes
1. Control Bleeding:
If your cut is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze pad for at least 1 minute over the affected area. If you have a known bleeding /clotting disorder or take "blood thinners" (medications like "Coumadin"), you will likely have to hold pressure for more time. If after at least 3-4 minutes of holding pressure, the blood continues to spurt out and has not decreased, seek medical attention right away.
2. Clean the Area:
This is the key step to infection prevention. Clean the cut/scrape with simple soap and water! Dampen a clean cloth with soap and water and dab over the affected area. Make sure to clean the areas surrounding the cut/scrape as well. I would recommend cleaning all areas of skin which are at least 4-5 inches away from the cut/scrape, to destroy as much bacteria as possible. If there are any particles that you notice inside the wound, you can attempt to grab the debris with a tweezer (make sure that the tweezer has been cleaned with alcohol prior to using it).
3. Apply Antibiotic Ointment:
Once the area has been cleaned, apply a layer of antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin. This antibiotic will help prevent infection and promote the healing process . Ointment keeps the area moist which helps speed healing, and hopefully lessens the likelihood of a scar.
4. Keep the Area Covered:
Cover the cut/scrape with a bandage. Covering the area helps it heal by preventing exposure to debris, bacteria, or other irritants (including the rubbing of clothes over the affected area). You can change the bandage/dressing daily or any time that it becomes wet or dirty.
5. Do Not Pick Off Scabs:
Picking off the scab can lead to larger scar formation and infections.
6. Be aware of signs of infection:
If you notice that the cut/scrape is getting more red, tender, warm, swollen or has increased drainage of pus --these may be signs of an infection and you should see an MD right away for evaluation! People who are more likely to develop infections of a wound include those with diabetes, blood disorders, cancer, peripheral vascular disease, or patients who have a weakened immune system (i.e. those who have immunodeficiency syndromes or diseases like HIV OR who take medications that suppress the immune system like chemotherapy, steroids, or post-organ transplant medications).
7. Get a Tetanus Booster Shot!
A tetanus booster shot is recommended to be given to individuals every 10 years.
If it has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus booster shot, an additional booster is recommended if:
- your cut is deep (generally if it is more than .25 inches deep or if it is wide open with muscle, fat, or tissue seen)
- if your cut is contaminated with dirt, feces, saliva (especially if caused by animal bites) or soil
Below is a chart to follow to determine what tetanus prophylaxis you may need:
Fun Fact:
What is tetanus?
Tetanus is a fatal disease caused by a bacteria that lives in the soil, dust, and debris. It mainly effects the nervous system causing spasms (involuntary contractions) and generally effects the neck and jaw. Tetanus is known for causing "lock jaw" -- a condition where the jaw becomes so stiff that you cannot move it. Tetanus can also cause increased rigidity of the back muscles leading to neck hyper-extension and arching of the back -- a condition called "opisthotonos" (which comes from the Greek words "opistho" meaning "behind" and "tonos" meaning "tension"). Here is a painting that medical students often see when learning about tetanus and what "opishtotonos" looks like:
When tetanus affects the chest muscles, this can lead to difficulty breathing and ultimately death. This is why it is so important to get your tetanus vaccine and booster if needed!
Do you have any other questions about first-aid for minor cuts and scrapes? If yes - please email them to DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com. I would also love to see your comments, especially to know what other first-aid advice you may want this week.
First-aid week continues tomorrow with more useful tips!
**PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND/OR BEFORE STARTING OR STOPPING ANY TREATMENT OR ACTING UPON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER**
I am preparing for a camping trip outdoors. Do you have any easy first-aid advice?
KG
It's so important to plan ahead when it comes to first-aid, especially when traveling. I will dedicate this week to first-aid tips just for you, KG!
I also want to keep this blog open to all of you-- to leave comments and to ask questions about first-aid tips (especially myths that you wish to challenge), or even to share the tips that work for you!
Today I will talk about first aid of minor cuts and scrapes.
Not every cut requires a trip to the emergency room; however, taking the RIGHT care of a minor cut or scrape is very important to prevent infection and scarring.
Always remember to see an MD right away if:
- you find that your cut or scrape is bleeding heavily despite pressure
- your cut looks deep (where fat/muscle/tendons are exposed)
- your cut appears very wide (you might possibly need stitches)
-there is a foreign object deep within the cut that you cannot retrieve on your own
If your cut is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze pad for at least 1 minute over the affected area. If you have a known bleeding /clotting disorder or take "blood thinners" (medications like "Coumadin"), you will likely have to hold pressure for more time. If after at least 3-4 minutes of holding pressure, the blood continues to spurt out and has not decreased, seek medical attention right away.
2. Clean the Area:
This is the key step to infection prevention. Clean the cut/scrape with simple soap and water! Dampen a clean cloth with soap and water and dab over the affected area. Make sure to clean the areas surrounding the cut/scrape as well. I would recommend cleaning all areas of skin which are at least 4-5 inches away from the cut/scrape, to destroy as much bacteria as possible. If there are any particles that you notice inside the wound, you can attempt to grab the debris with a tweezer (make sure that the tweezer has been cleaned with alcohol prior to using it).
3. Apply Antibiotic Ointment:
Once the area has been cleaned, apply a layer of antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin. This antibiotic will help prevent infection and promote the healing process . Ointment keeps the area moist which helps speed healing, and hopefully lessens the likelihood of a scar.
4. Keep the Area Covered:
Cover the cut/scrape with a bandage. Covering the area helps it heal by preventing exposure to debris, bacteria, or other irritants (including the rubbing of clothes over the affected area). You can change the bandage/dressing daily or any time that it becomes wet or dirty.
5. Do Not Pick Off Scabs:
Picking off the scab can lead to larger scar formation and infections.
6. Be aware of signs of infection:
If you notice that the cut/scrape is getting more red, tender, warm, swollen or has increased drainage of pus --these may be signs of an infection and you should see an MD right away for evaluation! People who are more likely to develop infections of a wound include those with diabetes, blood disorders, cancer, peripheral vascular disease, or patients who have a weakened immune system (i.e. those who have immunodeficiency syndromes or diseases like HIV OR who take medications that suppress the immune system like chemotherapy, steroids, or post-organ transplant medications).
7. Get a Tetanus Booster Shot!
A tetanus booster shot is recommended to be given to individuals every 10 years.
If it has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus booster shot, an additional booster is recommended if:
- your cut is deep (generally if it is more than .25 inches deep or if it is wide open with muscle, fat, or tissue seen)
- if your cut is contaminated with dirt, feces, saliva (especially if caused by animal bites) or soil
Below is a chart to follow to determine what tetanus prophylaxis you may need:
Fun Fact:
What is tetanus?
Tetanus is a fatal disease caused by a bacteria that lives in the soil, dust, and debris. It mainly effects the nervous system causing spasms (involuntary contractions) and generally effects the neck and jaw. Tetanus is known for causing "lock jaw" -- a condition where the jaw becomes so stiff that you cannot move it. Tetanus can also cause increased rigidity of the back muscles leading to neck hyper-extension and arching of the back -- a condition called "opisthotonos" (which comes from the Greek words "opistho" meaning "behind" and "tonos" meaning "tension"). Here is a painting that medical students often see when learning about tetanus and what "opishtotonos" looks like:
By Sir Charles Bell, 1809
Do you have any other questions about first-aid for minor cuts and scrapes? If yes - please email them to DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com. I would also love to see your comments, especially to know what other first-aid advice you may want this week.
First-aid week continues tomorrow with more useful tips!
**PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND/OR BEFORE STARTING OR STOPPING ANY TREATMENT OR ACTING UPON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER**
No comments:
Post a Comment