Medicine

Caring for a Minor Open Wound

After a long day of being cooped up in a stuffy classroom listening to your teachers ramble on about the rise of the Communist party and the conjugations of the verb "estar," you decide that you're in the mood for a quick game of roller hockey with some equally stir-crazy friends. As you swoop in to fire a slap shot at the goal, the unthinkable happens: you hit a rock. And not just a pebble; this is a big, trip-you-up rock that you didn't see because your eyes were locked on that ball. So, before you know it, you've slid about five feet on your poor, unprotected knees. Your first thought is, "Did I make the shot?" Your second thought comes quickly with the hot sting as you look down and see the red streaks of blood appear where your skin once was. "OW!!!" What do you do?

• Stop the bleeding by applying pressure with a clean, absorbant cloth, or if cloth is unavailalble, your fingers.
• If the blood soaks through, apply a second bandage on top. Do not take off the first bandage because it will disturb the clotting that has already taken place.
• If bleeding still doesn't stop, raise the wound above heart level.
• Once bleeding stops, clean the wound gently with soap and water, or just water. It is very important to get all debris or dirt out.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment such as bacitration or a triple antibiotic ointment. Remember, some people are allergic to these ointments, so contact your doctor if you have any doubts.
• Wrap the wound firmly in a cloth or a bandage. Do not cut off circulation!

Caring for a Major Open Wound

That Sunday remains the most vivid day in Cynthia's memory. She was cutting the bagels that John brought home, as she did every Sunday, when the knife slipped....The wash of bright, red blood was sudden and frightening. Thankfully, she and John knew exactly what to do.

• Covering the wound with a clean dressing, press against it firmly with your hand.
• Elevate the wound above the level of the heart.
• The clean dressing should then be covered over with a roll bandage (like an Ace) to hold the dressings in place.
• If bleeding still does not stop, add additional dressings over the roll bandage.
• Squeeze a pressure point, the artery against the bone. This is in the bottom upper arm, or where the leg bends at the hip.
• Once the bandages and pressure point are being maintained, have someone call EMS if they have not already.

Special Problems

When part of the body has been torn off...

• Try to find the part
• Wrap it in a clean dressing and place in a plasctic bag.
• Put the bag on ice, but don't freeze.
• Take the part to the hospital.

When an object is impaled in a wound...

• Do not remove it. You could reveal an open artery which would then be awfully hard to deal with, a.k.a. nearly impossible.
• Bandage many dressings around the object to immobilize it and support it in its position in the wound.

Splinters...

• A small splinter in the skin should be removed with tweezers.
• For a splinter in the eye, seek emergency help immediately, do not touch it.

Nosebleeds...

• Have the victim sit with his or her head tilted a little bit foward while pinching his or her nostrils together.
• One could also place an ice pack on the bridge of the nose.

Injury to the mouth...

• If the injury does not involve the head, neck, or spine, have the victim sit with the head slightly tilted foward. If the victim is unable to reach this position, place the victim on his or her side. This ensures that blood drains from the mouth.
• If the injury has broken the lip, place a clean rolled dressing between the lip and gum. Applying cold can also help.

If a tooth is knocked out...

• Place a small roll of sterile gauze in the gap left by the tooth that was knocked out.
• Pick up the tooth not by the root, but by the crown, the part you see when you smile in the mirror. If you can, place the tooth back how it belongs in the socket.
• If you can't put the tooth back in, put the tooth in a container with cool, fresh milk. If this cannot be done, use water.