Home Sweet Home. There is no place like this. You may feel more comfortable when you are at home, but keep in mind that there are dangers in your home too. You may cut yourself with a kitchen knife or other household tool. You may burn your hand when removing something from the oven or handling a hot pan on the stove. Most of the time, these common home injuries are minor. That means you can treat them at home without consulting your doctor. The items needed for these treatments can be found in a home first aid kit.
Path to better health
Cuts and scratches
Cuts and scrapes are common household injuries that can occur at any time and for many reasons. But there is no need to panic if you get hurt this way.
Wash your hands first. Before even touching the wound, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. This will remove dirt from your hands. You want to have clean hands so you don’t accidentally add dirt to the wound that could infect it later.
Stop the bleeding. If the wound bleeds, you will need to stop the bleeding. Gently press a material, such as a clean cloth or gauze, on the wound. Don’t apply too much pressure, as this can make the wound hurt more than it already does. Then, while keeping the wound covered, raise it above heart level, if possible. This can help stop bleeding. Hold the pressure for several minutes. Also, do not lift the material frequently to see if the bleeding has stopped. Doing so can keep the wound bleeding longer.
Clean the cut. Once the bleeding stops, you need to wash the wound. This may be painful but it is a necessary step. Do this by holding the cutting under running water. The water will help remove any dirt or debris from the wound. After washing it, look at the wound. If you see that there is still debris on it, try removing it gently with tweezers dipped in isopropyl alcohol. (Note: You should not use hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound.) Once the wound is clean, gently wash the surrounding skin with soap and water. Lightly press the area with a clean cloth, such as a towel, to dry the entire area.
Apply protection. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment (one brand: Neosporin) or petroleum jelly (one brand: Vaseline) to the wound. This will help keep the wound clean, keep infections at bay, and perhaps reduce scarring. Then cover the wound to protect it. Use a bandage or gauze with an elastic bandage. This covering is sometimes called a bandage. Every day it is necessary to reapply the ointment or Vaseline and change the bandage.
Be alert for infections. When you change the dressing, look for signs of infection in the wound. Symptoms include swelling, redness, and more pain than when the injury occurred. Over time, the wound will develop a scab. That’s the natural way it protects itself. Once a scab develops, it does not need to be covered with any type of bandage. And avoid the temptation to pick at the scab.
Domestic burns
Even if you’re careful, you can burn yourself on something at home. You may hit your hand on the oven rack when removing dinner. Or maybe hot grease splatters on you while cooking. While painful, these types of burns can often be treated quickly and easily with these steps.
Let it cool. Naturally, a burn will be hot. You need to cool it. Immediately after being burned, hold the burn under cold running water. You can also soak the burn in a bowl of cold, but not ice, water. Depending on the size of the burn and how much it hurts, you may need to hold it under water for 5 to 30 minutes. Holding the burn under cold water will also help reduce any swelling that may occur. If the burn is on your finger, remove the rings as soon as possible before swelling starts.
Treat the burn. After soaking the burn, gently pat the area with a soft, clean cloth to dry it. Do not press hard as the burn will probably be painful. Then apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment (one brand: Neosporin) or petroleum jelly (one brand: Vaseline) to the burn. These will help prevent the burn from becoming infected. You can also apply aloe vera gel to help keep the burn cool.
Protect it. Once the burn is treated, use a bandage or sterile gauze to cover it. Covering it will help the treatment stay in place and keep the burn protected from infection. Make sure the bandage is tight enough to stay in place, but not so tight that it puts pressure on the burn. Change the bandage every day.
Treat the pain. Burns are usually painful. You can help relieve some of that pain by taking over-the-counter medications. Ibuprofen (one brand: Advil), acetaminophen (one brand: Tylenol), or naproxen (one brand: Aleve) may help. These medications can also reduce the swelling that will cause a burn. Note: Do not give these medications to children under 12 years of age without consulting your doctor.
Leave the blisters alone. As burns heal, they sometimes develop blisters with fluid inside. You may be tempted to open the blister to let the liquid out. But don’t do that. The blisters actually protect the burn from infection. If a blister breaks on its own, clean it by holding it under cold running water. Once dry, put antibiotic ointment on it and cover it with a bandage to keep it safe and help prevent infection.
Things to consider
In some cases, you will need to see your doctor to treat a wound. Examples include if the wound won’t stop bleeding, if you can see muscle and fat through the wound, if you can’t remove all the dirt and debris, or if it was caused by an animal bite. In all of these cases, you should call your doctor immediately.
Some household burns also need your doctor’s attention. These types of burns typically cover more than 3 inches of skin and are more severe than minor burns. Some examples of these burns include those caused by boiling water, putting your hand on a hot stove, or from a large flare-up from an outdoor grill.
Some wounds and burns may require a tetanus booster shot. If your wound is large, deep, or was caused by something rusty, check your vaccination record to see when you last had your tetanus shot. Also check your vaccination record if you have a burn that develops a blister. If it has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus shot, contact your doctor to receive a booster shot.
