Cuts and bone breaks are among the most common afflictions that cause people pain. Everyone gets a cut occasionally, and most people break a bone at least once in their lives.
Although supple and somewhat soft, the skin is often sturdy enough to resist tears and cuts. Skin, the largest organ of the body, consists of two main layers:
The epidermis, or the outer layer, is made up of several layers of skin cells. The dermis, found underneath the epidermis, is made up of elastin (stretchy fibers), which creates suppleness, and collagen (protein fibers), which gives strength.
Skin can be injured by cuts and abrasions:
Cuts are wounds caused by sharp instruments such as metal or glass and can affect the dermis and the epidermis.
Pain Management for Cuts Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil® or Motrin®) provide pain relief for most cuts. Aspirin is not a good choice, as it has an ingredient that prevents the blood from clotting as quickly as it would otherwise.
Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil® or Motrin®) provide pain relief for most cuts. Aspirin is not a good choice, as it has an ingredient that prevents the blood from clotting as quickly as it would otherwise.
To treat an abrasion, follow these easy steps:
Change the dressing according to the manufacturer's instructions until healed.
Blood vessels can be perforated by wounds caused by knives, glass or other sharp objects. Thus, cuts can lead to substantial blood loss. If an artery is severed, this constitutes a medical emergency. Arteries can pump out blood at an alarming rate. Follow these steps for first-aid treatment for cuts with serious blood loss:
For less serious cuts, simply clean the wound, apply ointment (e.g., Neosporin®) and cover with a clean bandage.
Depending upon what causes a wound, some cuts are more likely than others to promote tetanus bacteria growth. Tetanus is most often associated with rust and nails, but tetanus can be contracted from other objects.
If a person gets a cut from a rusty nail or a dirty object, see a doctor to determine if you need a vaccine or a booster. A booster is an update of a vaccine and may be needed if more than five years have elapsed since a person's last tetanus shot.
Wounds too large for the body to heal by itself will need either stitches or medical glue:
Certain things can affect the healing of cuts, including:
A broken ankle or broken foot is a common accident that affects many people at some point in their lives. The medical term for a broken bone is bone fracture. The three basic types of fractures are:
There are various symptoms of a broken bone:
Sometimes, a snap is heard at the time of an injury that makes people assume that a bone is broken. This is not always the case, because a snapping sound can also be the sign of a severe sprain. Getting an X-ray can determine which type of injury has occurred.
Pain Management for Bone Breaks Doctors may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen for a person with a broken bone. This should reduce pain and inflammation. If intense pain is experienced, the doctor may prescribe a stronger pain medication, such as codeine.
Doctors may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen for a person with a broken bone. This should reduce pain and inflammation.
If intense pain is experienced, the doctor may prescribe a stronger pain medication, such as codeine.
Better Health (n.d.). Skin cuts and abrasions. Retrieved August 24, 2007, from the Better Health Web site: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/skin_cuts_and_abrasions.
Mayo Clinic (2007). Broken ankle/broken foot. Retrieved August 24, 2007, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://mayoclinic.com/health/broken-ankle/DS00951.
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