Post on 18-Feb-2016
description
Open Wounds • A break in the skin’s surface
resulting in external bleeding • May allow bacteria to enter the
body, causing an infection
Care for Open Wounds
• Protect yourself with medical exam gloves.
• Expose the wound. • Control bleeding. • Wash with soap and water.
Wound Cleaning (1 of 2)
• Shallow woundsWash with soap and water and flush
with clean water.• Wound with high risk of infection
Seek medical care for wound cleaning. If in remote area, clean as best you can.
• Remove small objects with sterile tweezers.
Covering a Wound
• Cover with thin layer of antibiotic ointment.
• Cover with a sterile dressing. • Change any wet or dirty dressings.
When to Seek Medical Care• To clean high-risk wounds• For wound closure• Victim has not had a tetanus booster in
past 10 years• Victim has a dirty wound and has not had
tetanus booster in 5 years• Must receive booster within 72 hours
Signs of Infection• Swelling and redness around the wound• Sensation of warmth• Throbbing pain • Pus discharge• Fever • Swelling of lymph nodes • Red streaks leading from the wound toward the heart
Care for Infected Wound (1 of 2) • Keep area clean. • Soak in warm
water or apply warm, wet packs.
• Elevate the infected portion of the body.
Care for Infected Wound (2 of 2)
• Apply antibiotic ointment. • Change the dressings daily. • Seek medical help if infection
persists or becomes worse.
Tetanus • Tetanus bacterium enters a wound
that contains little oxygen and produces powerful toxin.
• No known antidote to the toxin once it enters bloodstream.
• A tetanus vaccine can completely prevent the disease.
Amputations • In many cases,
amputated extremity can be replanted.
• TypesGuillotineCrushingDegloving
Care for Amputations
• Control bleeding. • Treat for shock.• Recover amputated part.• Wrap part in gauze, place in a bag,
and keep bag cool.• Transport the part with the victim.
Blisters• A collection of fluid
in a “bubble” under outer layer of skin.
• Repeated rubbing of small area will produce a blister.
Care for Blisters• If blister on foot is open or very painful:
Clean with soap and water. Drain fluid from blister with a sterilized
needle. Apply layers of moleskin or molefoam.Apply antibiotic ointment.
Impaled (Embedded) Objects• Many kinds of objects can become
impaled and cause significant internal damage: PencilsScrewdrivers KnivesGlassSteel rodsFence posts
Care For Embedded (Impaled) Objects
• Expose area.• DO NOT remove
the object.• Control bleeding
around the object.
• Stabilize the object.
Slivers • Can be painful and irritating• Usually easily removed with tweezers• After removal, clean with soap and water
and apply adhesive strip. • Special cases:
Cactus spines: Use white wood-working glue
Fishooks: Use pliers with tempered jaws or fishline method
Closed Wounds • Results when a blunt object strikes the
body• Skin is not broken but tissue and blood
vessels are crushed. • Types of closed wounds:
Bruises and contusionsHematomasCrush injuries
Wounds That Require Medical Attention
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Deep wounds• Large or deeply
embedded objects• Foreign matter in
wound• Human or animal
bite
• Possibility of a scar• Eyelid cut • Slit lip• Internal bleeding• Uncertain how to
treat• Need a tetanus shot