Wound
Knowing what to do with a wound is an important skill to have if you have children or deal with people on a regular basis. There are so many ways people can get hurt that the simplest of first aid knowledge can help keep a situation calm when someone gets hurt. Knowing when you can take care of it on the spot or when you need to go to the doctor or hospital will go a long way in keeping people safe and healthy.
Wounds are a normal part of life, especially if you have children. It's important you know how to treat minor wounds at home or the office, and to know when it is necessary to go to the hospital for medical attention. Cuts, scrapes, and gashes are a daily part of life for some people. By being prepared with wound care supplies and information, you can help to keep yourself, employees and children safe and healthy. For those with children, it's especially important for your peace of mind.
Most children tend to freak out at the sight of blood, even if it is not a severe injury. By being calm and in control, you can help to stay in control an keep others calm so you can treat the injury effectively and check for other problems. After you have your "patient" calm you are ready to begin the treatment and evaluation process on the injury. If the patient is bleeding, cover the area with a clean dry cloth and put direct pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding.
Once you stop the bleeding carefully clean the area. It is easiest to remove the dirt and debris from the wound by just allowing lukewarm water to run over and into the cut. This approach lets you avoid touching the wound, keeping it cleaner and reducing pain for the patient. Dab some anti-bacterial cream on the wound and cover it with a sterile dressing and bandage it in place (a cartoon bandage strip will work great for kids, of all ages), so it will stay clean. Cleaning the wound four times a day for a couple of days will help it from getting infected. This is for wounds that are mild in nature.
If the wound won't stop bleeding, or if it is deep and gaping, you need to visit the doctor or emergency room, as sutures may be needed. If the wound is from an animal or human bite, medical attention is needed as well. If the wound is on the face or neck, if red streaks are seen around the wound, or if it is oozing yellow discharge, then a doctor visit also is in order. If you are in doubt about the wound or if it is an obviously bad wound, visit the nearest medical center to be safe. This helps prevent infection and scarring.
Taking care of your child is probably foremost at the top of your priority list. But there are other people who also are high on the list of people to be careful with, including seniors and others with serious health concerns that would be aggravated by a wound. By learning about wounds and how to care for them will keep you calmer and in control of the situation. This can take the fear out of the situation for you, your child, your friends and anyone you are helping.
