MYTHS RELATED TO BRUISES, WOUNDS, AND SPRAINS

by Dynamix Group Writer

Simple cuts on fingers and hands and abrasions on knees: given that those are the most common of everyday injuries, it is surprising how little we know about their proper treatment. Actually, many mistakes are made when it comes to taking care of these wounds.

That is why it is important to bust the myths about these common wounds and sprains:-

MYTH: Do wounds heal better when exposed to air?

FACT: This is the most common myth. The top priority of wound care should be to keep the wound as clean, germ-free and guarded as possible. That is why after having cleaned the wound with disinfectant (free of alcohol, in order that it doesn't hurt) you ought to always apply a plaster on the injured area

MYTH: The better the wound care, the smaller the scar

FACT: Quite true. Proper cleaning and care of an injury with the right dressing, plaster or crepe bandage will help your body heal the best it can. Thus, potential complications such as bacterial infections, re-tearing of the wound caused by external influences and crusty scabs are avoided - all of those being factors that would contribute to scarring.

MYTH: OxyMask and Venturi Mask are the same.

FACT: A common misconception, it is important to known that oxygen is delivered safely and more efficiently by the OxyMask than by the Venturi mask in stable oxygen-dependent patients.

All venturi mask types are used in COPD, where it is important not to over-oxygenate the patient.

MYTH: It’s okay to apply ice and compression at the same time

FACT: Compression bandages like crepe bandages for hands are utilized for the compression a part of RICE—rest, ice, compression, and elevation—the gold standard of care treatment for bruises and sprains. But these are steps that are to be taken successively not simultaneously, you should not apply ice and compression at the same time. This can cause frostbite.

MYTH: Deeper wounds cause greater pain

FACT: Thinking that this may be true makes sense, as it is easy to assume that a wound may be the more painful the deeper it is. However, just the opposite can be the case. A large number of nerve fibers located just under the top layer of our skin (the epidermis), superficial abrasions or burns will often cause more pain than a deeper cute.

MYTH: Alcohol cleans and disinfects wounds best

FACT: Alcohol is not a good choice for cleaning and disinfecting an injury for a number of reasons: It will not only burn on your skin when being applied. What is worse is that it's completely unsuitable for very sensitive wound tissue. Experts recommend using products free of alcohol, containing antiseptic agents such as polyhexanide instead of painless wound disinfection and cleaning.

After knowing all these facts, you must feel the need to update your first aid kit. You can do this easily by visiting www.smartmedicalbuyer.com