There is a good chance that every person in your household has had a minor injury at some point or another. Now, these wounds are usually not serious enough to warrant a visit to the doctor. At the same time, they can be rather painful.
It is due to this that you need to know how to take care of some of the lesser injuries. This way, you can help your family member to feel better and reduce the risk of the condition getting worse as well. Here are the top First Aid tips and what you need to know:
Caring for a Wound
The first thing that you will need to do is to stop the bleeding. With most smaller wounds, the bleeding will actually stop all by itself. If the cut is a little deeper, gently press a clean piece of fabric until the blood subsides. Once this has happened, it is time to clean the wound. Before touching the injury, always make sure to wash your hands and find surgical gloves for sale. This will prevent you from contaminating the wound
In most cases, cleaning out your cut with water and (unscented) soap will do a good enough job. If you are worried about infection, though, antibiotic ointment can help to nip this in the bud. Then, place a light dressing on top.
Dealing with a Sprain
Sprains are common even in a non-athletic household. Therefore, it is important to know how to tend to one. The first thing that you should do is to make sure that the injured person stays off their ankle as much as possible. Then ice the area in ten-minute intervals—keep the ice on for ten minutes, then take it off for ten minutes, and repeat.
After this, you can wrap it in a bandage. However, make sure it isn’t too tight and doesn’t interfere with circulation. Once this has been done, it is time to elevate your foot. It should be placed higher than the position of your heart when you are sitting down.
Treating a Burn
Now, if the burn is severe, it is important to get to the doctor right away. However, if you have only injured the first layer of your skin, it may be treated at home. First, of course, you will require some medical supplies. This can include aloe vera gel, antibiotic cream, and gauze.
You should immediately place the burned region under cool water for around five to ten minutes. Then, gently pat it dry and use the gel to soothe some of the discomfort. When you are ready, apply the antibiotic cream, then place the gauze on top. It is important not to put ice on a burn. Since the skin in this area is already damaged, adding ice may just cause frostbite. What’s more, you should stay away from cotton balls as well, as they can leave fibres behind in the wound.
These are some of the top first aid practices that you should be aware of. With these guidelines in hand, you should be able to tend to most minor injuries at home.
For additional first aid and lifesaving tips, Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics offers a variety of CPR Certification Canada courses.
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