First Aid For Injury, What To Do

Damage to the body due to any external object is called injury or physical injury. Injury causes damage to the skin or other body tissues. You can get injured due to accident, fall, collision or many other reasons. There are many types of injuries, such as cuts, scratches, burns, bruises and fractures etc.

Minor injuries usually do not require any medical attention, but serious injuries may require a visit to the doctor and even surgery.

Minor injuries are not fatal, but it is necessary to clean them thoroughly so that infection does not occur.

(Read more - Workout injuries: types, symptoms)

Sometimes it is necessary to have a first aid kit to provide immediate first aid. Keep a first aid box in your car, office and home so that you can use it in an emergency. Keep checking the medicines and other things present in the first aid kit frequently to ensure that they have not deteriorated.

(Read more - How to reduce swelling due to injury - Home remedies)

If someone around you has been injured, you should help him in the following way -

• First of all, see that there is no danger to you or that person.
• If that person is in danger, take him to a safe place.
• If necessary, call an ambulance.
• Give him first aid.

For every type of injury, different first aid is given. These are given below -

1. Cut

• First of all, wash your hands so that infection does not occur. 
• Try to stop the bleeding by applying pressure on the wound.
• After stopping the bleeding, wash the wound and clean the soil or dust present around it.
• Apply antibiotic cream on the wound.
• Apply a bandage or bandage on the cut skin.

(Read more - Brain Injury: symptoms, causes, treatment)

2. Bruise

• Do not move the bruised area.
• Wrap ice in a towel and keep it on the bruise for 15 to 20 minutes.
• If there is swelling, apply a warm bandage on the bruise.
• If possible, keep the affected area raised above the level of the heart.

3. Burns

• Immediately after a burn, pour cold water on the burnt area for some time.
• If there is a ring or cloth on the burnt area, remove it.
• After the affected area cools down, apply a lotion containing aloe vera on it.
• Put a bandage on the burnt area and tie it loosely.
• If the person is not breathing, give him breath in a “mouth-to-mouth” way.
• Do not immerse the burnt area in water.
• If the person is severely burnt, immediately call an ambulance or take him to the hospital.

(Read more -First Aid for Head Injury: What to Do)

4. Fractures (bone breaks)

• If there is bleeding, raise the affected area above the heart rate and stop the bleeding by applying pressure on the affected area with the help of a cloth or bandage.
• Do not let the affected area move.
• Apply cold compress on the affected area.
• Take the person to the doctor as soon as possible.
• If the person is not breathing, give him CPR.

5. Sprain

• Do not move the affected area.
• Wrap ice in a towel and place it on the affected area and repeat this several times a day.
• Apply a warm bandage on the sprain for at least 2 days. 
• If possible, keep the sprained area elevated above the heart level.
• After 2-3 days, start using the affected area slowly.

(Read more -Common sex injury and side effects)

6. Flesh tear

• Rest the affected area and do not move it for some time.
• Wrap ice cubes in a towel and apply it on the affected area for 15-20 minutes.
• Tie a warm bandage on the affected area to reduce swelling. 
• If possible, keep the affected area elevated above the heart level.
• Take medicines like Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen to reduce pain and swelling.

(Read more -Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury)

The following steps should be taken in case of injury:

• First of all, assess the severity of the injury. If the injury is severe or there is a suspicion of bone fracture, seek medical help immediately.
• Rest the injured part and do not move much. This can prevent the injury from worsening.
• Use ice on the injured part. Wrap the ice in a cloth and apply it for 15-20 minutes. This will reduce swelling and pain.
• If the injury is bleeding, apply pressure on it with a clean cloth or bandage. This will stop the bleeding.
• Keep the injured part higher than the heart level to reduce swelling.
• If the pain is severe, painkillers can be taken on the advice of the doctor.

The injured person is advised to rest and avoid any kind of activity until the injury is completely healed. If the condition is severe or there is any doubt, consult a doctor immediately.