First aid - Bleeding, epistaxis, burns, cuts, fractures and sprains

2024-06-28

<h1>First aid - Bleeding, epistaxis, burns, cuts, fractures and sprains</h1><p> </p><p>First aid is a vital skill that can save lives, prevent complications, and accelerate recovery in emergency situations. Understanding its principles and techniques enables you to act confidently and effectively in emergency situations.</p><p>Learn about first aid for bleeding and cuts, epistaxis, burns, fractures, and sprains.</p><h2>1. First aid for bleeding and wounds</h2><h3>First Step: Stop the bleeding</h3><p><a href="https://youtu.be/sWLdzKgbId4?si=YbaBTSeNqwGA8jZr" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/sWLdzKgbId4?si=YbaBTSeNqwGA8jZr</a><br></p><ul><li>Wash your hands and wear medical gloves, if available, to avoid infecting the wound.</li><li>If the wound is covered by the person's clothing, remove or cut the clothing to expose the wound.</li><li>Apply direct pressure to the cut or wound with a clean cloth, gauze, or bandage until the bleeding stops.</li><li><strong>However</strong>, if there is anything stuck in the wound, <strong>don't squeeze it and don't pull it out</strong>; it may act as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.</li><li>If the bandage becomes saturated with blood, don't remove it, put a new bandage on top of the old one and keep applying pressure.</li><li><strong>After the bleeding stops</strong>, wrap the wound with a thick bandage or clean cloth and tape. Raise the wound area above the level of the heart, if possible.</li><li>Tie a bandage next to the top of the wound (not directly over it) if the bleeding is severe and doesn't stop with direct pressure.</li><li><h4>Call 911 if:</h4><ul><li>If the bleeding is heavy, the wound is deep, or the edges are jagged or open.</li><li>You suspect internal bleeding.</li><li>You have an abdominal or chest wound.</li><li>Bleeding that continues for more than 10 minutes of steady, continuous pressure.</li><li>Numbness in the area around the wound.</li></ul></li></ul><h3>Step Two: Clean the cut or minor wound</h3><ul><li>Wash your hands again after administering first aid and before cleaning and dressing the minor wound.</li><li>Gently clean the wound with soap and warm water, and try to rinse the soap from the wound thoroughly to prevent irritation.</li><li>Do not use hydrogen peroxide or iodine directly on the wound, as it can lead to tissue damage</li></ul><h3>Step three: Protect the wound</h3><ul><li>Apply an antibiotic cream to reduce the risk of infection and cover it with a sterile bandage.</li><li>Change the dressing daily to keep the wound clean and dry.</li></ul><h4>Important notes:</h4><ul><li>Do not remove anything stuck in the wound.</li><li>Do not use hot water to clean the wound.</li><li>Do not use harsh chemicals to clean the wound.</li><li>Do not move the injured person if you are waiting for emergency help to arrive.</li><li>If you are unsure how to stop the bleeding, seek immediate medical attention.</li><li><h4>See your doctor if:</h4><ul><li>The wound shows signs of infection, such as redness, pain, or a thick discharge, or if the person has a fever.</li><li>Red lines form around the wound.</li></ul></li></ul><h2>2. First aid for nosebleeds (epistaxis)</h2><ul><li>Sit comfortably and tilt your head slightly forward.</li><li>Press on both sides of the nose for 10 minutes.</li><li>Breathe through your mouth while applying pressure to your nose.</li><li>Apply a cold compress to the bridge of your nose after the bleeding has stopped.</li><li>Seek medical attention if the bleeding is severe or frequent.</li></ul><h2>3. First aid for burns</h2><h3>Initial steps:</h3><ul><li><strong>Get away from the source of the burn:</strong> Remove yourself or the injured person from the source of the heat or chemical to prevent further injury. For electrical burns, make sure to unplug the power source before approaching the burned person.</li><li><strong>Determine the type of burn:</strong> (first-degree (minor), second-degree, third-degree).</li></ul><p><a href="https://youtu.be/NamrlQzoXIY?si=rZ5bdNKpJu7Mwyn2" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/NamrlQzoXIY?si=rZ5bdNKpJu7Mwyn2</a><br></p><ul><li><h4>When to seek medical attention:</h4><ul><li><strong>Second- or third-degree burns:</strong> Deeper layers of skin are affected and appear red, blistered, charred, or have white, brown, or black spots.</li><li><strong>Large burns:</strong> If the burn covers an area larger than the palm of your hand, or if it affects the face, hands, feet, or genitals.</li><li><strong>Deep burns:</strong> If the burn is deep and involves bone or muscle.</li><li><strong>Burns with other injuries:</strong> Such as fractures, deep cuts, severe swelling, or smoke inhalation.</li><li><strong>Severe pain or difficulty breathing:</strong> These may be signs of a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention.</li><li><strong>Electrical burns:</strong> Caused by lightning and chemicals, especially if they affect the eyes, mouth, hands, or genitals.</li></ul></li></ul><p><a href="https://youtu.be/LYgGLmrI-m8?si=M9w2scyE0FOEMpeV" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/LYgGLmrI-m8?si=M9w2scyE0FOEMpeV</a><br></p><h4>First-degree burns:</h4><p><strong>For minor burns, follow these first aid guidelines:</strong></p><ul><li>Run the affected area under cold (not ice-cold) running water for about 10 minutes.</li><li>Remove rings or accessories and tight clothing before the burned area swells.</li><li>Apply a gentle cream after the burn has cooled, to help prevent dryness.</li><li>Cover the burn with a clean bandage, wrapping it loosely around the burn. Do not use cotton, as it may stick to the wound.</li><li>If necessary, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen/paracetamol (Rifanin).</li></ul><h4>Second- and third-degree burns:</h4><p>These are burns in which deep layers of skin are affected, appearing as redness, blisters, and discharge,<strong> and require immediate medical attention, so call 911 immediately.</strong></p><p><strong>Apply first aid until emergency help arrives:</strong></p><ul><li>Make sure the person is breathing. If necessary, start CPR (30 chest compressions, then two artificial breaths, and try again).</li><li>Remove jewelry, belts, and other tight items from the burned area before it swells.</li><li>Loosely cover the burn with gauze or a clean cloth.</li><li>Elevate the affected area above the level of the heart if possible.</li></ul><h4>Important notes:</h4><ul><li><strong>Do not pop any blisters:</strong> Blisters may contain a protective fluid that helps the wound heal.</li><li><strong>Do not apply any oils or creams to the burn:</strong> These substances may prevent healing and cause further infection.</li><li><strong>Don't scratch the burn or try to remove stuck or adhering clothing:</strong> This will irritate the area and delay healing.</li><li><strong>Watch out for symptoms of trauma:</strong> Cold, clammy skin, weak pulse, and shallow breathing.</li></ul><h2>4. First aid for fractures and sprains</h2><p><a href="https://youtu.be/MSqAYsB6sbw?si=mIFb9VtBysoks7Vw" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/MSqAYsB6sbw?si=mIFb9VtBysoks7Vw</a><br></p><h3>First step: Recognize the signs of fractures</h3><ul><li>Swelling and bruising.</li><li>Difficulty moving the injured part, or movement in an abnormal direction.</li><li>Limbs may appear shorter, twisted, or bent.</li><li>Unpleasant sensation if the injured limb is moved.</li><li>Loss of strength or seeing signs of trauma.</li></ul><h3>Second Step: Evaluate and determine the type of fracture</h3><p>Quickly assess the patient for any signs of deformity, open wounds, pain or swelling, and make sure you can move the injured area or there is any sign of bleeding.</p><h4>Types of fractions:</h4><ul><li><strong>Closed:</strong> Fracture of the bone but the skin is intact (call 911 or go yourself).</li><li><strong>Open:</strong> The broken bone protrudes through the skin or wound (call 911).</li><li><strong>Complicated:</strong> Injury to the back, neck, or pelvis (seek emergency care).</li><li><strong>Note:</strong> Even if you can't see any blood, the fracture may cause some internal bleeding.</li></ul><h3>Third Step: What to do</h3><ul><li>Reassure the injured person and ask them to remain still.</li><li>Never move the person to avoid further injury, unless it's unsafe to do so.</li><li>Remove any rings, watches, or anything wrapped around the limb as soon as possible.</li><li>Apply ice packs wrapped in a clean cloth to the injured area to reduce swelling, but don't apply ice directly to the skin.</li><li><strong>However</strong>, if it's an open fracture or a visible wound, cover the wound with a sterile bandage or a clean, soft cloth. Don't try to put the bone back in place.</li><li><strong>Apply pressure to the wound, not the protruding bone or suspected fracture site,</strong> to control any bleeding.</li></ul><h3>Fourth Step: Splint the fracture if you have been trained to do so</h3><ul><li>Place a padded splint along the length of the injured limb, aligned with the broken bone.</li><li>Make sure the splint is longer than the fracture enough to fully immobilize it.</li><li>Wrap the fabric around the splint and the body, making sure all areas are covered.</li><li>Gently fill any space between the body and the splint with padding to prevent movement and minimize discomfort.</li><li>Place a bandage over and under the fracture site, leaving a small gap on either side of the fracture to prevent additional pressure on the area.</li><li>Tighten the bandage just enough to stabilize the fracture, but not too tight or too loose.</li><li>Use safety pins to hold the bandage in place.</li></ul><p><strong>Until help arrives</strong>, keep the patient still and ask them if they have any changes in the sensation of the injured bone/site, such as numbness, pins and needles, heat or cold, loss of feeling altogether.</p><p><strong>Looking for a unique healthcare experience that caters to your individual needs?</strong></p><p><strong>At iHospital, our medical team is highly qualified and experienced in various medical specialties, and we offer easy online appointment booking, as well as home visits and telemedicine services.</strong></p><p><strong>Invest in your health and <a href="https://www.ihospitalapp.com/ar/doctor-profile/1154_%D8%A3%D8%B7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A2%D9%8A-%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84-Specialist-Doctors-Home-Visit">book your appointment with us today</a>.</strong></p><hr><h2>References</h2><ol><li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-severe-bleeding/basics/art-20056661">Severe bleeding: First aid</a>, Mayo Clinic</li><li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/bleeding/severe-bleeding/">Severe Bleeding - Symptoms & First Aid Advice</a>, St John Ambulance</li><li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/bleeding-cuts-wounds">Bleeding Cuts & Wounds: How To Stop Bleeding & First Aid Treatment</a>, WebMD</li><li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/emergencies-and-first-aid-how-to-stop-a-nosebleed">Emergencies and First Aid - How to Stop a Nosebleed</a>, Harvard Health</li><li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-burns/basics/art-20056649">Burns: First aid</a>, Mayo Clinic</li><li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/bones-and-muscle-injuries/broken-bones-and-fractures/">Broken Bones & Fractures - Emergency First Aid</a>, St John Ambulance</li><li aria-level="1"><a href="https://stjohnwa.com.au/online-resources/first-aid-information-and-resources/fractures">First Aid for Broken Bones and Fractures</a>, St John WA</li></ol>