BENGALURU: Cuts, bruises and injuries can occur anytime, anywhere and doctors suggest that a few simple First Aid tricks can precipitate the healing process. Experts say putting cotton directly on a wound should be avoided. First the wound should be washed and then the patient should be rushed to the hospital if the bleeding is incessant.
Direct application of cotton on the injured area will cause irritation once the wound gets dry and while cleaning the wound, the stuck cotton will cause pain.
“First wash the wound with clean water and apply creams like neosporin or a little bit of turmeric powder. This will reduce bleeding and also infection,” says Dr G. Madhusudhan, senior plastic surgeon, Reconstruction Surgery, BGS Global Hospital.
Even minor wounds should not be overlooked as they may lead to the formation of pus. Patients should also be careful about using cheap turmeric. “Turmeric is an excellent antiseptic but the problem is that it is not available in its pure form. Cheap turmeric has a lot of chemicals and may delay healing and cause infection,” says Dr. Kadasiddeshwara G Byakodi, associate professor of surgery, Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences.
In case of bruises, patients must ice the area on and off for the first 24-48 hours. Apply ice for about 15 minutes at a time, and always put something like a towel or wash cloth between the ice and your skin. And the area should be elevated by cold bandaging.
Primary treatment
Bandage: Keeping the wound covered can avoid bacteria and debris. Change the bandage daily or when it gets wet or dirty.
Control bleeding: Put a gentle but firm pressure with a clean cloth. All bleeding will stop eventually by simple pressure. Pressure should not be very high as it will cause damage to the wound and to the underlying body part.
Immobilization: Use a splint to support an affected part.
Medical help: Take the victim to the nearest medical centre as even a small wound can cause many complications. Early treatment is crucial as the consequences of neglecting a wound can sometimes be fatal. Experts advise rest post an injury and say that while you recover, you must refrain from overexerting the affected area.
Use ice: As mentioned before, 15 to 20-minute applications, four to eight times a day can help control swelling. Using ice longer than the allotted time may cause tissue damage.
Depending on the injury, elastic bandages may help reduce the swelling. Elevating the wounded area may help limit the swelling.
Types of wounds