First aid for burns, cuts, bites and injuries: what can be treated at home and when to call the doctors

Cutting your finger, hitting the edge of a nightstand, getting burned while cooking – it’s happened to everyone. But not every scratch or bump goes away without consequences. New York Times asked emergency room doctors when it was possible to treat injuries on your own and when it was necessary to seek medical help.

How dangerous is the wound? What to do if the burn forms blisters? How to tell if you have a sprain or a fracture?

Experts answered these and other questions questions.

cuts

The most common type

Kitchen knives are among the biggest hazards, as are the uneven open edges of canned food and cheese graters.

Broken glass and sharp table edges that can cause cuts are also serious culprits of household injuries.

What needs to be done immediately

Immediately apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. This may take up to five minutes, depending on the depth of the cut.

Then rinse the cut under running water (tap water will do). Make sure the wound is free of debris and apply petroleum jelly or an antibiotic cream such as bacitracin and cover with a sterile bandage.

How to treat further

If the edges of the cut come together easily, you can use a liquid bandage to cover and protect it. Just let the glue dry before applying a regular bandage over it.

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Once a scab has formed, remove the bandage and allow it to air out. The wound will heal better if there is no moisture left in it. Follow Look for signs of infection, such as redness around the cut, warmth of the skin, swelling, increased pain, or pus. If the cut itches, it means it is healing.

When to see a doctor

Determining whether a cut is serious enough to require stitches can be difficult.

"Even doctors sometimes have to stick a Q-tip in there to see how deep it is," said Dr. Lekshmi Kumar, an associate professor of emergency medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and medical director of emergency medical services at Grady Health System in Atlanta.

Cuts on the face, over joints, or near tendons or arteries require immediate medical attention, as does a cut that clearly goes through several layers of skin and doesn’t stop bleeding within five minutes. See a doctor if the cut has a blockage, such as metal or glass, or if it starts to show signs of infection. If the sharp object was dirty or rusty, bacteria can enter the wound, so a doctor will need to examine it. They’ll ask if you’ve had a tetanus shot and give you one if needed.

A few words about bites

Any sharp tooth — whether it’s a dog, cat, or toddler — carries bacteria and poses an increased risk of infection. Cats leave puncture wounds that are difficult to clean thoroughly, said Dr. Tabitha Cheng, associate medical director at the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care in Los Angeles. If the bite has broken the skin but looks more like a scrape, you can wash it with warm, soapy water and treat it at home like a cut, checking for signs of infection. Deeper or more complex injuries may require antibiotics. See your doctor or go to the emergency room.

Burns

The most common type

Minor burns from hot pots, curling irons, or oil splashes are the most common. Beware of electrical burns, as well as chemical burns from paint thinner.

What needs to be done immediately

Call 911 if the burn covers a large area of ​​your body (say, if you spilled a pot of boiling pasta water on yourself).

“If a burn covers more than 20% of an adult’s body or 10% of a child’s body, even if it is superficial, it requires immediate attention,” Dr. Kumar explained.

While you wait for medical help to arrive, place the burned area under running water at room temperature (this is easiest to do in the bath or shower).

Avoid using cold or ice water. Sudden changes in temperature can further damage the skin. For minor burns, place the wound under room temperature water. Then apply a cooling ointment, such as aloe vera gel or lidocaine, and then loosely cover with a large bandage or gauze.

How to treat further

Change the bandage a couple of times a day and watch for signs of infection, just like a cut. Apply antibacterial cream when the initial burning sensation subsides. Do not puncture the blisters that form. They serve a protective function. Burns are more susceptible to infection than regular cuts.

When to see a doctor

Any burn on the face, genitals, arms or legs (where scarring on joints may limit future movement) requires immediate medical attention.

Doctors now use the terms "partial thickness" and "full thickness" when discussing burns instead of second or third degree.

A partial or complete burn, no matter how small, should be visible.

Characteristic signs: severe redness and immediate blistering, the burn site appears wet or looks pale or blotchy.

What about sunburn?

Rarely is a sunburn severe enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. First, avoid sun exposure. Then apply a gentle moisturizer, cooling gel, or aloe vera. Take ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation. Don’t pop blisters. If they look infected, see a doctor. And next time you go outside, be sure to apply sunscreen—and reapply it regularly.

Sprains and fractures

The most common type

Most sprains (injuries to the ligaments that connect bones and support joints) occur during sports or exercise. They commonly occur in the ankles, wrists, and knees.

"Young children have softer and more flexible bones because they're still growing, so many of these injuries are more likely to be fractures than sprains," said Dr. Nicole Gerber, associate director of clinical services for pediatric emergency medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

What needs to be done immediately

If you can't move the injured area at all, or if there's a deformity, such as a lump or bend where it shouldn't be, go to the hospital. If you have persistent pain even when you're not moving, or if there's significant bruising or swelling around the injured area, you should also see a doctor.

For sprains that don't fall into these categories, use the RICE method: rest, ice, immobilization, and elevation. Ice the injury, wrap it in an elastic bandage, take a pain reliever, and keep the limb elevated above your heart to reduce swelling.

How to treat further

Continue using RICE by applying ice for 15 minutes every two to three hours for 24 to 48 or even 72 hours if swelling in the limb persists. Once the swelling goes down, move the injured area a little — side to side, up and down — to loosen it up.

"Keeping it in a bandage is a gentle reminder to be gentle with that body part and let it heal," Dr. Gerber concluded.

When to see a doctor

It can be difficult to determine if a sprain is torn. If the swelling and pain don't go away after a couple of days and you have difficulty putting weight on the injured area, see a doctor. With children, of course, you don't want to wait that long.

“Give a dose of ibuprofen and reassess in an hour or two,” Dr. Gerber advised. “The medications will help with the pain and inflammation, but they won’t fix the broken bone.”

If pain persists after taking medication, see your doctor.

Headbutts and bumps

The most common type

Most head injuries are just blows, not concussions. However, common bumps from a fall or hitting your head on a cabinet door are treated similarly, even if they are less severe.

What needs to be done immediately

First, you need to rule out any signs of a concussion. Symptoms include loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or blurred vision.

If you don't have these symptoms, lie down with an ice pack and take some acetaminophen.

Doctors advise avoiding ibuprofen. It can slightly inhibit blood clotting. This is dangerous if the head injury is severe enough to cause internal bleeding.
If you are taking blood thinners, you should see a doctor to rule out a brain hemorrhage.

How to treat further

Continue to rest and take acetaminophen as needed. Avoid alcohol or other substances that may make your headache worse. This includes sitting in front of a screen.

When to see a doctor

If you have a severe headache, have vomited more than once, are confused, or have changes in motor skills or vision, go to the emergency room immediately or call 911.

If you think you may have a concussion but the symptoms are mild, don't worry and see your doctor the next day. For any head injury, no matter how minor, see your doctor if symptoms persist for a week.

Insect bites and rashes

The most common type

In the summer, mosquito bites, bee bites, and reactions to pesky plants like poison ivy or oak are possible outdoors. Most of these do not cause a serious allergic reaction, they are simply annoying.

What needs to be done immediately

"The treatment for anything that causes itching is pretty similar," Dr. Gerber explained.

Take an oral antihistamine, such as Claritin or Zyrtec. Benadryl is also effective, but remember: it is a sedative.

Wash the bite with soap and water, especially if you came into contact with poison ivy or oak. Oils from the plants may remain on your hands or clothing. Apply an itch-relieving cream, such as Benadryl, or calamine lotion. Ice can also help relieve itching.

How to treat further

It is normal for the bite wound to be red and slightly painful. Continue taking antihistamines and applying creams to relieve itching. The insect sting pierces the skin and can introduce bacteria. Watch for signs of infection (increased redness, pain, or pus). If you have been exposed to poison ivy or oak, be sure to wash any clothing or towels that came into contact with your skin.

When to see a doctor

Bites become an emergency when they cause anaphylaxis. This is more than just difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis is defined as involvement of two or more of the following systems: skin (hives-like rash that appears in an area other than the bite), respiratory (throat tightness or wheezing), gastrointestinal (vomiting or diarrhea), or cardiovascular (feeling dizzy or heart racing).

Serious bites, such as those from a brown recluse or black widow, are accompanied by other symptoms, such as abdominal cramps or headaches. A bloody blister often appears at the site of the bite. In this case, you should see a doctor.
Always check yourself for ticks. They can carry bacteria that cause Lyme disease or other pathogens. If a rash develops around the bite, this is a sign of Lyme disease. In this case, contact your doctor immediately.

Home First Aid Kit

Doctors recommend stocking up on these essential supplies to treat minor injuries.

They suggest always having several life-saving drugs on hand while help is on the way, such as Narcan and a tourniquet.

Taking a CPR course and knowing how to perform the Heimlich maneuver are also great ways to ensure you are prepared for an emergency.

A good first aid kit or a selection from Wirecutter should contain many of the items on this list:

• patches of different sizes;
• gauze;
• medical tape;
• scissors;
• liquid bandage;
• elastic bandage or bandage;
• ice packs;
• Vaseline or antibiotic ointment;
• cooling gel, such as aloe vera or lidocaine;
• thermometer;
• fine tweezers for removing splinters or debris from a cut;
• sterile saline solution for eye washing.
• tow;
• Narcan (Learn how to use it by watching this video);
• emergency contact information and health insurance information;
• necessary medications for treatment, in particular EpiPen or glucose tablets.