Today marks World First Aid Day, and Beijing United Family Hospital & Clinics wants to remind you of the importance of knowing some first aid basics at home. As careful as we try to be, accidents happen. Everyone gets a few scratches and bruises from time to time – but are you and your family prepared to deliver first aid if necessary? Depending on where you are when an emergency occurs, it could take a few minutes to several hours to get medical attention. We would like to share some basic yet vital skills for dealing with common injuries and minor accidents. And remember, if you need an ambulance, call 120 or 999 in China.
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are the most common injuries that our doctors encounter in the Center for Family Medicine and Integrative Health Care. These tend to happen when people land awkwardly on one foot while jumping. They can also occur frequently in winter as people play in the snow or slip on icy patches and use their wrists to break their fall. Sprains and strains generally cause swelling and pain, and bruises may be around the injured area.
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Best first-aid practices for sprains and strains follow the RICE guidelines. RICE stands for:
Rest - rest the injured part of the body.
Ice - apply ice packs or cold compresses to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time every few hours for the first one to two days to prevent swelling.
Compress - apply an elastic compress bandage or a tight wrap that covers the injured area completely for at least two days to reduce swelling.
Elevate - elevate the injured body part.
In most cases, you won't need to see a doctor for a sprain or strain. Simple pain relief, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the first few days of injury, is usually the best course.
It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between a sprain and a bone fracture. If you are unsure, or if the pain gets worse after a day or two, see your doctor – an X-ray can determine whether a bone is broken. Beijing United Family Hospital's (BJU's) Emergency Room is open 24 hours a day and is equipped to handle medical emergencies for adults and children.
Cuts and Scrapes
Cuts and scrapes, while painful, are also very common. If the cut does not go all the way through the skin, it does not need stitches. If you are unsure, check with your doctor.
Picture source: Bigstock
For small and superficial cuts, follow these basic first-aid steps:
Clean the cut by washing it well with soap and water. If there is dirt, glass, or anything in the cut that you can't get out after you wash it, see your doctor.
Press a clean cloth or bandage firmly on the area for 20 minutes to stop the bleeding.
Elevate the cut above your heart if possible to slow down the bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes, see your doctor. Put a thin layer of antiseptic or antibiotic ointment on the cut or scrape. Cover the cut or scrape with a bandage or gauze, keeping the bandage clean and dry.
Change the bandage once or twice daily until the cut or scrape heals. Watch for signs of infection: fever, redness, swelling, warmth, increasing pain, pus, or red streaks around the cut area. See a doctor if these occur.
Most cuts and scrapes heal on their own within seven to 10 days. As the cut or scrape heals and forms a scab, be sure to leave the scab alone and not pick at it.
You may need a tetanus vaccination if your last tetanus shot was more than five years ago or if the wound is dirty or deep. Doctors at BJU can evaluate a wound and determine whether any vaccinations or further treatments are necessary.
Animal Bites
If you get bitten by an animal, wash the wound with lots of soap and water – even if it stings. You can put antiseptic cream on the wound and cover it with a bandage. If you are bleeding, apply pressure to the wound.
Picture source: Bigstock
It is important to see a doctor immediately after being bitten, even if you have received your rabies vaccinations. Also, make sure that your pets are vaccinated against rabies.
It’s important that everyone get their rabies vaccines, as being vaccinated improves your prognosis should you get exposed to rabies. BJU recommends that all our patients get vaccinated against rabies while living in China.
Burns
You can get burned by heat, fire, radiation, sunlight, electricity, chemicals, or hot water. Take the following first aid steps for a small, superficial scald:
Hold the burned area under cold running water for at least five minutes.
Remove jewelry and clothing from the burned area unless it is stuck to the burn.
Treat the burn with a skincare product that protects and heals skin, such as aloe vera cream or antiseptic ointment.
Cover the burn with a non-adhesive bandage.
Take over-the-counter pain relief, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, if pain worsens.
Picture source: Bigstock
See a doctor immediately if:
The burn is deep, even if you do not feel any pain.
The burn is larger than 5-8 cm.
The burn was from a fire, electrical wire, socket, or chemicals.
The burn is on the face, scalp, hands, joints, or genitals.
The burn looks infected (i.e., you see swelling, pus, or increasing redness).
You are unsure of the severity of the burn.
Other emergency conditions usually require immediate medical attention, such as anaphylaxis, near-drowning, smoke inhalation, and unconsciousness. It is always a good idea to ensure you have first-aid kits at home just in case because, as we all know, accidents happen!
If you want to learn more about first aid and helping in an emergency, sign up for one of our CPR classes. More information is below.
