HeartBeat

HEALTHY LIVING
Got a Cut:
Now What?
If you experience a cut or a puncture
wound, such as from a knife or
a nail, make sure to clean and dress
it to ensure that it heals as quickly
as possible. Here’s how.
Step 1. Wash the area with cool
water, using soap and a cloth to
clean the skin around the injury.
Avoid getting soap in the wound
itself.
Step 2. If any dirt remains in the
wound after you’ve cleaned the
area, use tweezers to clear it out.
Sanitize the tweezers with rubbing
alcohol first.
Step 3. If the cut is in an area
that is likely to get dirty or be
irritated by clothing, cover it with
a bandage or gauze. Change the
bandage daily.
Step 4. As the wound heals, leave
the scab alone. (Picking at it can
cause infection and scarring.)
If the cut is particularly deep,
won’t stop bleeding or has edges
that don’t stay together, call your
doctor or go to urgent care. You
might need stitches or a skin
adhesive to close the wound.
Source: American Academy of Family Physicians
BURN NOTICE
The sun isn’t the only thing that poses a threat of burns to the
skin. Accidents can happen with grills, fires and fireworks as
people enjoy good times in good weather. Burns are classified
by the depth of damage to the skin. Here’s how to identify the
three levels—and what to do.
SEVERITY DAMAGE TREATMENT
First
degree
Second
degree
Outer layer of skin;
causes redness, swelling
and pain.
Outer and underlying
layers of skin; causes
redness, swelling, pain
and blistering.
Run cool water over the burn
or soak in cool water (not ice)
for five minutes. Cover with
a clean bandage. Try ibuprofen
or acetaminophen for pain.
Run cool water over the burn
or soak in cool water (not ice)
for 15 minutes. Apply an antibiotic
ointment and cover with
a nonstick dressing. Gently
wash the area and change the
dressing daily. Ibuprofen or
acetaminophen can help with
pain. Call your doctor if you
see signs of infection.
Third
degree
Deep layers of the skin.
Skin can be white or
blackened, even numb.
Do not apply ointments.
Do not touch blistered skin
or remove clothing stuck to
the skin. Call 911.
Sources: MedlinePlus, FamilyDoctor.org
THINKSTOCK (4)
6 HEART BEAT SUMMER 2016