Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

272 • HOMEOPATHIC FIRST AIDAILMENTMINOR CUTS & GRAZESCuts and grazes break the skin, allowing blood to get out andinfection to get in. Surrounding and underlying tissue may also betorn and bruised.ESSENTIAL TREATMENT Clean the wound by rinsing it under runningwater. Pat dry and cover with sterile gauze. Clean around the woundwith a solution of calendula and hypericum (see page 271). Apply anadhesive dressing.CAUTION If the wound becomes more painful or develops pus,seek medical help.ANIMAL BITESA bite can result in a puncture wound that produces little blood towash away foreign objects or bacteria. If the wound is deep, the tissuebeneath may be damaged. Snake bites may have two puncture holes,with inflammation and localized pain. If the snake is poisonous, otherparts of the body may be affected. Damage to the nervous system maycause headache, vomiting, faintness, and breathing difficulties.ESSENTIAL TREATMENT With all bites except venomous snake bites,hold the wound under running water for at least five minutes. Bathewith a solution of calendula and hypericum (see page 271). Pat drywith a sterile pad, cover with a dressing, and go to the hospital. Witha venomous snake bite, immobilize the victim immediately andcompletely, and call 911. Apply a bandage firmly above the bite, thenbandage the entire limb upward to deter the spread of venom in thebody. If the head of a tick is buried in the skin, make sure that thewhole body is removed using sterilized tweezers.CAUTION Seek medical help for all animal and snake bites.STINGSMany insect stings cause little more than local problems unlessthe victim has a severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock: seepage 206). There may be swelling, pain, and—because the skinis broken—infection. In some regions of the world, however,the stings of certain insects, fish, and jellyfish may inducebreathing difficulties or a loss of consciousness (see page 270),or may even be fatal.ESSENTIAL TREATMENT Remove a stinger by brushing it off with afingernail or credit card and bathe the area with a calendulasolution (see page 271). Do not suck out the poison. If a stingercannot be removed, seek medical help. If a spine from a marinecreature has entered the foot, immerse in as hot water as isbearable for at least 30 minutes. Take the victim to the hospital tohave the spines removed.CAUTION If a sting is in the mouth or throat, rinse with ice-cold waterto prevent swelling and possible breathing difficulties, and go to thehospital immediately. If a sting produces a severe reaction, call 911immediately.PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS• Cuts and grazes surrounded bymoderate to severe bruising• Cuts and grazes that feel numband cold but are better forapplying cold compresses• Damage to the nerve, withshooting pains• Bite associated with swelling,bruising, or pain• Area surrounding the site of a bitehas bluish purple appearance• Site of a bite is hot, red,and swollen• Sting associated with swelling,bruising, or pain• Site of a sting feels cold andnumb and is better for coldcompresses• Site of a sting is hot, red,and swollenREMEDY & DOSAGEArnica(see page 37)30c every 2 hours for 6 doses, then3 times daily up to 3 daysLedum(see page 152)6c every 2 hours for 6 doses, then3 times daily up to 3 daysHypericum(see page 148)30c every 2 hoursup to 3 daysArnica(see page 37)30c every 5 minutesup to 10 dosesLachesis(see page 152)6c every 8 hoursup to 3 daysCrotalus(see page 104)30c every 15 minutesup to 6 dosesArnica(see page 37)30c every 5 minutesup to 10 dosesLedum(see page 152)6c every 8 hoursup to 3 daysApis(see page 104)30c every 15 minutesup to 6 doses