3 minute read
Before You Go
First Aid
FOR COMMON INJURIES
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Story by ROSE GREEN-FLORES
MOST PEOPLE FEEL CONFIDENT TREATING MINOR INJURIES AT HOME. But what about when an injury requires more than a quick Band-Aid?
Below, White shares important first-aid tips for some of the most common injuries treated at Lake Regional Emergency Department, as well as when to seek immediate medical attention.
Burns
A burn can come from heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight or radiation. Depending on the damage to the layers of skin and tissue, burns can range from first-degree to third-degree.
“For minor burns, apply a cool, wet cloth on the burn to soothe any pain or place the burn under cool running water,” White said. “Never put ice on a burn because this can cause further damage. When the area cools, apply lotion or an antibiotic ointment, and loosely cover the burn with a sterile gauze pad.”
Blisters protect against infection, so never break them. It is OK to take over-the-counter pain medication.
If you’re concerned about a burn, seek expert help. Lake Regional Express Care clinics care for minor burns.
“Go to the emergency department for deep burns or burns on your face, hands, feet, buttocks, groin, a major joint or a large area of the body,” White said. “For severe burns, treatment may include medications, wound dressings or debridement, therapy and surgery. Major burns could also require specialized treatment at a burn center.”
Lacerations
A laceration is a tear, cut or opening in the skin caused by an injury. A laceration is serious and requires immediate medical attention if it is deep, long or has jagged edges; draining pus; bleeding heavily after five to 10 minutes of direct pressure; from a rusty or dirty object; or from an animal bite.
“Even if medical attention is necessary, start caring for the injury at home,” White said. “With clean hands, use a clean cloth to apply direct pressure on the laceration. Hold pressure for five to 10 minutes, and don’t let up to sneak peeks. For heavy bleeding, a second clean cloth should be applied on top of the original cloth once it is soaked through. Continue to apply pressure and cloths as needed.”
Lacerations treated at home should be bandaged after treating the wound with antiseptic spray.
For minor lacerations, you can visit a Lake Regional Express Care clinic. For deep lacerations, immediately visit the closest Emergency Department.
Foreign Body Removal
A “foreign body” is any object not normally found within the body. Common foreign bodies that bring people to the Lake Regional Emergency Department include small toys, coins, food or other small objects lodged in ears or nasal passages, as well as sharp objects that have penetrated the skin, such as a fish hook in a hand.
“In the case of ears and noses, a foreign body can sometimes be removed easily at home, such as by blowing the nose while holding the opposite nostril,” White said. “However, multiple attempts should not be made to retrieve the object as that could force the object into a worse position and cause additional damage.”
In many cases, a foreign body in the ears or nose can be removed at Express Care. If a foreign body was swallowed, immediately go to the Emergency Department.
“In the case of a sharp item, such as a fish hook, do not attempt to remove the item on your own,” White said. “Instead, leave the item, and seek medical care.
Lake Regional Health System’s Emergency Department provides 24-hour emergency medical service and treats more than 30,000 patients annually. Visit lakeregional.com/ Emergency to learn more. Express Care is walk-in care, and it’s a great option for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses. For more information, visit lakeregional.com/ ExpressCare.
Rose Green-Flores is a Public Relations Specialist for Lake Regional Health System.
Express Care Walk-in Clinic
Camdenton
226 E. Highway 54
Eldon
304 E. Fourth St.
Lebanon
441 W. Elm St.
Osage Beach
1057 Medical Park Drive
