Accidents happen all the time. Whether it’s a minor cut, a bruise, or a small knee scrape, knowing how to handle these small injuries is a valuable skill to have. It can also make a difference to the well-being of yourself and others. Here is a quick guide on how to best handle small injuries when they occur.
1. Determine the Seriousness of the Injury
If an injury occurs in your presence, before diving right in with an eagerness to help and your first aid kit in hand, take a moment to pause. Think about the seriousness of the injury that just occurred. Take in the surroundings, the potential mechanism of the injury (e.g. sporting accident, burn, fall, etc.), the location of the injury on the body, and how bad the injury appears to be at a quick glance. The purpose of this is first to consider if more help is needed from those around you or in the form of calling an emergency department or 911. If either of these is true, call for help and assistance immediately. Do this before helping the subject. It means that whatever happens, backup is on the way.
As a guide, if the injury potentially involves the following, then immediately seek urgent medical care.
- Broken bones
- A significant injury to the head, neck, face, or stomach
- A significant amount of blood can be seen
- The injury involves a dirty or rusty object (this may require a tetanus shot)
- The injury is a wound that has an embedded object. If so, do not remove it. Seek medical assistance to avoid causing further damage
If the injury does not involve any of these factors and is smaller, then proceed to the next step.
2. Stop the Bleeding
Start by cleaning your hands and put on a pair of gloves if you have them available. Use a clean cloth, bandage, or tissue to apply gentle pressure on the wound. Elevating the injured area may also help reduce bleeding.
3. Cleaning the Wound
Once the wound has stopped bleeding, rinse the wound gently with cool, running water to remove dirt and debris. Avoid using harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, as they can harm healthy tissue.
Although you may be tempted to use an antiseptic like rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, they may damage surrounding healthy tissue. Most first aid practitioners recommend cleaning surface wounds with a tiny bit of soap and water if required.
If there are visible particles in the wound after rinsing, use tweezers cleaned with rubbing alcohol to remove them carefully. Avoid digging too deep or causing additional trauma to the wound.
4. Cover the Wound
This is where having a good first aid kit really helps. Within all first aid kits are bandages, gauze, and plasters of various sizes that can be used to cover and protect the wound. If you have a first aid kit handy, place a sterile bandage or dressing over the wound. This will keep it clean and free from further contamination.
Be sure to not apply the covering too tightly. Any wound dressing should be firm and snug but not cut off circulation.
5. Monitor the Wound
While most small cuts and wounds can be effectively managed with basic first aid, it’s essential to be vigilant for signs and symptoms indicating the wound is more severe than first thought. This includes:
- Excessive Bleeding – Despite putting significant pressure on the wound, the bleeding does not stop or continues after several minutes.
- Deep Wounds – Deep, wide, or long cuts may require stitches. This may only become apparent later on.
If either of these occurs, be sure to seek medical advice.
6. Aftercare
Taking good care of the wound after it has been cleaned and bandaged is just as important as ensuring the wound heals properly. Therefore, do the following:
- Regularly change the dressing and clean the wound
- Look for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus
Handling anything from small cuts to serious wounds involves knowing when basic first aid will be sufficient or when formal medical attention should be sought. Keep a well-equipped first aid kit at home, be sure to keep all your first aid kits well stocked, and stay up to date on your first aid training. This can make a huge difference!
24 Hour Emergency Room in Houston
Each Life Savers Houston Emergency Room location is equipped to handle life threatening conditions quickly. Your emergency or concern is our priority! Life Savers 24 Hour Emergency Room is your Houston Emergeny Room for immediate definite care. Do not hesitate to call us today or stop by one of our 24 hour houston ER locations: Willowbrook Emergency Room, Heights Emergency Room, or Summerwood Emergency Room.
