Treatment for Minor Wounds
Dislocations:
The most common dislocations occur in the shoulder, elbow, finger, or thumb.
Look for these signs:
1. swelling
2. deformed look
3. pain and tenderness
4. possible discoloration of the affected area
If a Dislocation is suspected...
1. Apply a splint to the joint to keep it from moving.
2. Try to keep joint elevated to slow bloodflow to the area
3. A Healer should be contacted to have the bone set back into its socket.
Sprains :
Signs of a Sprain:
1. affected joint begins to swell immediately
2. joint may also turn black and blue due to the escaped blood from torn blood vessels
3. victim will experience excruciating, shooting pains at the time of the injury because many nerves are injured in a sprain
Treatment:
1. RICE treatment (see below)
2. Thermotherapy (applying moist heat) promotes healing but should not be applied to a muscle or ligament injury for at least 20 ahns because heat will increase the swelling. After the swelling has gone, you should alternate applying cold compresses and moist heat to the injury.
3. To treat the injury with warm, wet packs, place a towel in a pot of just barely boiling water. Check to make sure the towel is not too hot before placing it on the skin.
4. A sprained arm should be placed in a sling.
RICE Treatment
REST - Avoid using the affected part to avoid further discomfort or injury. Gradually rebuild your exercise program once the injury has healed.
ICE - Apply ice (bags with crushed ice, cold packs, etc.) to the injured area for the first 24 to 48 hours to prevent or reduce swelling.
COMPRESSION - Wrap an elastic bandage around the injured area to secure the ice in place. Do not wrap it so tightly that the circulation is cut off. After 10-15 minutes, loosen the bandage and remove the ice. Ice may be reapplied for 15-20 minutes every one or two hours for the first six hours after the injury. As long as the injury is swelling, continue to apply ice 3-4 times a day.
ELEVATION - Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart to slow the bloodflow to the injury.
Most sprains take at least 6-8 weeks to heal.
Strains :
Difference in Sprains and Strains :
SPRAIN--involves injury to the ligaments around a joint
STRAIN--involves injury to a muscle or tendon
Treatment:
1. At the time of the injury, begin the RICE (see above) treatment.
2. For lower back strain, rest will often bring relief to the strained muscle. If not, alternate cold compresses with moist heat, allowing a time of rest between the treatments.
Fainting:
Know the symptoms and what to do:
Before losing consciousness, the victim may complain of...
1. lightheadedness
2. weakness
3. nausea
4. skin may be pale and clammy
If a person begins to feel faint, he should...
1. lean forward
2. lower head toward knees
As the head is lowered below the heart, blood will flow to the brain.
If the person becomes unconscious place them in the Recovery position:
1. keep the victim lying down with head lowered and legs elevated
2. loosen any tight clothing
3. apply cool, damp cloths to face and neck
In most cases, the victim will regain consciousness shortly after being placed in this position.
After the victim regains consciousness, do not let him get up until you have questioned him (Who are you?, Where are you?, Do you know what day it is?) to be sure he has completely recovered.
Nosebleeds :
Causes :
1. nose injury
2. strenuous activity
3. high blood pressure
4. exposure to high altitudes
5. blowing your nose too hard
What to do if you get a nosebleed:
1. sit down
2. Lean slightly forward to prevent blood from running into your throat.
3. Place cold, wet cloths on your nose to constrict the blood vessels in your nose and stop the bleeding.
4. If blood is coming from only one nostril, press firmly at the top of that nostril.
5. If both nostrils are bleeding, pinch your nostrils together for at leat 10 ehns.
6. If bleeing continues, apply pressure for another 10 ehns.
7. If the bleeding is the result of direct injury to the nose, only gentle pressure should be applied.
8. If heavy bleeding persists or if nosebleeds recur frequently, consult a Healer.
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