Don’t feel powerless in the face of an injury. Here’s what to do.

On more than one occasion in your life you are going to be faced with a mishap during which you or those accompanying you, your child, for example, is going to be injured. We are talking about minor injuries, which can be treated at home, without the need to visit a hospital or clinic. In the face of a more serious injury, consult a health professional or go to a health centre.

What is the first thing to do?

Wash your hands with soap and water before touching anything. The hygiene of the person who is treating the injury is as important as that of the person to be cured.

Then follow these instructions:

• Wash the wound in soap and water. Let the water run over it and don’t ever rub it. And always clean from inside out. The water should never run over the dirty area first or the wound will be contaminated. You can use a swab to clean the edges of the wound, and another to clean the wound itself.

• Do not use alcohol. It is abrasive. Hydrogen peroxide or physiological saline solution is better.
• Don’t use paper or cotton wool because it will leave strands or threads which stay in the wound and are a breeding ground for germs. Sterile gauze is better.
• Stop the bleeding by pressing on the wound until it stops. If you don’t manage it in a few seconds or if it is extensive, keep pressing on it while you call the doctor. Do not make a tourniquet if you have not been trained to do it. If you do it incorrectly, you can cause irreparable damage.

• If there is any sand or dirt from the ground, try to remove it with water. If it is not removed, the wound can become infected. If there are any bits of glass or any other object stuck, you should visit the doctor so that they can be removed properly using tweezers.
• Apply a povidone-iodine antiseptic and leave it to dry.
• Whenever possible, leave the wound uncovered.
• If necessary, bring the edges together using a narrow bandage.
• If it needs to be covered, use a clean dressing and apply plasters to the edges.

• Repeat the cleaning process, at least once a day and whenever it gets wet.

Wounds normally heal in five days. A scab will probably form have to start from scratch. Check for signs of infection and, as usual, if in doubt, we recommend you consult a doctor.

This post is also available in: Spanish