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- $Unique_ID{BRK01381}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{A Simple Way of Treating Everyday Scrapes and Cuts}
- $Subject{cuts treatment accidents scrapes accident injury clean first aid
- bleeding antibiotic ointment bacitracin sterile adhesive dressing injuries cut
- treat treating scrape bleed ointments}
- $Volume{O-20}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- A Simple Way of Treating Everyday Scrapes and Cuts
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-
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-
- QUESTION: You could help a lot of mothers who have to deal with the scrapes
- and cuts that children come home with each day. I don't need a whole first
- aid course, but if you could give me a simple way of treating them, I might be
- able to keep away from my doctor's office, at least for a week or two.
-
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-
- ANSWER: I suppose by now the sight of a little blood is not too frightening,
- so the first tip is too keep cool, despite the screaming and yelling that
- usually accompanies these minor accidents. Next important step is to clean
- the site of the injury, easily done with a little mild soap and cool water.
- If there seems to be dirt deep in the wound, use some 3 percent hydrogen
- peroxide. The bubbling action gently lifts most of the dirt particles out of
- the cut. Then stop the bleeding. Use a sterile gauze pad against the injury
- and apply firm pressure from the outside with the palm of your hand. If you
- can elevate the injury site above the level of the heart, that will help as
- well. Once the bleeding has stopped you may apply an antibiotic ointment
- such as bacitracin to the wound, and then cover with a light, sterile adhesive
- dressing. Change the dressing each day, and inspect the cut. If it looks red
- and swollen, remains tender and painful, or you see pus, your only alternative
- is another trip to your family doctor.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-