Everyone knows that most accidents happen at home, which is not surprising. Our home is where we spend most of our time. We cook our meals there, we spend time with our family, and we lay down our weary heads after a long day. All of these activities increase the likeliness of getting hurt, which is why it is important to know how to deal with each of these injuries. The tips below will introduce you to the most common injuries and the proper way to treat them. Remember: acting quickly and correctly can greatly reduce the chances of complications.
1. Stepping on a sharp
object
Whether it’s a nail, a screw,
thorns or splinters, if it’s lying on the floor – you might step on it and get
hurt.
What to do
When to see a
doctor
If you can’t remove the object
or you suspect that there is still a piece left in your foot, go see a doctor.
This advice also applies if you’ve stepped on a rusty object and have not had a
tetanus vaccination in the last five years, or if the area is becoming more
painful or warm over time.
2. A bleeding
cut
Cuts are one of the most common
of household injuries, and can happen anywhere and while doing anything around
the house: cutting salad, opening a tin can, or falling down.
What to do
When to see a
doctor
Visit your doctor if the
bleeding won’t stop, or the cut swells and feels hot to the touch, or if you
think there’s a foreign object in the wound. Additionally, if you were cut by a
metallic object and did not receive a tetanus vaccine in the last five years,
rush to the ER to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
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-3.
Burns (oil, scalding water, steam)
Many home accidents happen when
we come in contact with a heat source in the kitchen, while washing our hands,
or getting too close to steam or boiling oil. The outcome is often minor burns
(1st and 2nddegree), which heal after a short time.
However, there are actions you should take to prevent scarring and a prolonged
healing period.
What to do
When to see a
doctor
In any case of burns where the
patient is suffering from difficulty breathing, or if the burn is larger than
the size of your palm, a visit to the doctor is a must. In any other case, if
the burn doesn’t show signs of healing, causes severe pain, appears swollen, or
is infected, contact your family doctor for advice. Furthermore, if the burns
are in the vicinity of the face or near the joints, you should consult with your
doctor as these areas’ healing process is more complex.
4. Bee
sting
Open windows and doors may
summon unwanted house guests, such as bees. In most cases, the bee will fly out
on its own, but if you or your child have been stung, it is important to act
quickly.
What to do
When to see a
doctor
If the person is exhibiting
signs of allergies, such as swelling or difficulty breathing and swallowing,
visit your doctor. If the area remains red and itchy for more than 48 hours, you
may want to contact your doctor too.
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5. Loss of
consciousness
Sudden loss of consciousness can
be triggered by illness, as a reaction to fear and panic, or as a result of
general feeling of faintness. In the majority of cases, the unconscious person
will wake up on their own within a short period of time, but if you suspect that
the loss of consciousness was caused by illness, if the person wakes up feeling
weak, or if they remain unconscious there are a few things you must
do.
What to do
When to see a
doctor
If the person does not regain
consciousness, call for an ambulance before you begin CPR, or ask someone to
call while you’re performing it.
6. Angina
Angina symptoms include pain and
pressure in the chest, and are caused by tightening of the blood vessels that
feed the heart. The pain may project to your lower jaw, shoulders and back,
making such pains a clear sign of angina. These sensations can appear after
periods of intense activity, such as a workout, and will last anywhere between a
couple of minutes to a quarter of an hour.
What to do
First and foremost, help the
person lie down and make sure they remain in a state of rest. If you’re feeling
the symptoms of angina, get a family member and ask them to call for an
ambulance. Avoid moving as much as possible. If another person is experiencing
angina symptoms, call an ambulance and make sure they remain rested until the
paramedics arrive.
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7. Choking on a foreign
object
Choking or wheezing can occur if
we inhale while eating, or when a child puts something in their mouth. A person
who is suffocating will begin coughing, grip their neck and turn
blueish.
What to do
When to see a
doctor
If the obstruction is not
cleared, call for an ambulance while continuing your attempts to dislodge
it.
8.
Electrocution
Electrocution is a
life-threatening situation that can cause severe pain, burns, and even death. At
home, you may get electrocuted by accidentally pushing something into a live
socket, or even by touching a faulty appliance.
What to do
When to see a
doctor
If the person remain
unconscious, call for an ambulance or have someone call for you while you
perform CPR on the other person.
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9. Animal
bites
If you were bitten by your pet
or someone else’s, there are several actions you should take.
What to do
When to see a
doctor
10. Broken
tooth
A broken or fractured tooth may
occur as a result of a sudden fall, and is mostly common amongst
children.
What to do
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