Injuries can occur anytime. Whether in home or road accidents. Injuries can cause serious health complications and sometimes even death. But most injuries occur as accidents so they happen unexpectedly. The real best way to stay safe is to take precautions to avoid them altogether. But supposing they happen by mistake what do we do?
Many people will have various answers to this single question. There are a lot of misconceptions about how to handle and treat wounds and injuries. But there are equally the right steps to take.
Any idea you get about how to treat wounds you need to confirm that with your doctor, so you don't run into avoidable troubles. Even the information you will read on this article, confirm them with your doctor before applying them.
Also remember some wounds may be so serious and damaging that you would have to have it treated by medical professionals. So be very careful with wounds and injuries. If you sustain a minor injury or major injury never ever do these 4 things before seeking proper medical attention.
#1. Applying Heat
Do not ever apply heat to a fresh wound, especially if it was sustained about 7 days ago.
When you sustain an injury you tear several blood vessels in the affected body part. If you are lucky enough only a few small blood vessels will be torn. But if the wound swells quickly, then you have torn some large blood vessels.
When you apply heat to that wounded area you increase the blood flow, thereby causing more bleeding. This is because heat increases blood circulation.
You should rather put ice on the wound or injury to stem the injury. You have to avoid applying heat to the wound for at least a week.
#2. Taking Alcohol
It is dangerous to take alcohol after sustaining a wound. This is because alcohol thins the blood, thereby making it difficult for the blood to clot, which will make blood to continue to flow from the injury.
Medical experts advise that you abstain from alcohol for at least 24 hours after sustaining the wound. If the injury or wound swells up quickly then you may have to abstain for at least 72 hours as the swelling indicates the wound involves large blood vessels.
#3. Running Or Physical Activity
Never run or do any intense physical activity after sustaining an injury. This is because of two reasons. Running is a very tasking body activity and involves a lot of body movement and energy. It will increase your blood circulation and cause the injury or wound to bleed more.
More so, you run the risk of damaging more blood vessels in the wounded area when you run. So avoid run and physical activity.
#4 & #5. Leaving Your Wounds To Air- Dry/ Popping A Blister Wound
According to medical experts, it is dangerous to leave a wound or injury to open to heal by itself. This is because this can cause the introduction of bacteria and germs into the wound, thereby causing an infection.
You need to sterilize the wound and seal it with a plaster, so it can heal properly.
If it is a blister wound, never pop it open because germs can enter it and cause infection. The blisters protect the wound. So allow the blistered wound or injury to heal naturally.
#6 & #7. Using A Strong Antiseptic/ Using Butter To Heal A Burn Wound
Avoid washing or cleaning your wounds with strong antiseptics like alcohol or even hydrogen peroxide. Such powerful antiseptics sometimes may not be necessary to use on wounds or injuries you can use a mild antiseptic like Elastoplast Wound Spray. Or just consult you doctor for the best type of disinfectant to use on wounds.
Also never put butter on a burn wound. Butter and any greasy substance can introduce bacteria into the wound. Just run cool water over the burn wound for about 10-20 minutes for it to heal. Or seek proper medical attention if it is is serious enough.