Injuries at home are unavoidable. You’re rushing around to get things done, maybe you slept wrong, or maybe you fall victim to a pinched nerve in leg.
These are abrupt and can come out of nowhere, but they aren’t always cause for the type of concern that would send you driving to the hospital.
Here are some of the more common injuries you can experience at home, how to check out their severity, and what to do to help them.
Cuts and scratches
Sometimes these show up a day or two later and other times you know immediately when you’ve marred your skin.
The first thing to do is clean the effected area so you can get a clear look at the cut. How deep is it? Has the bleeding stopped?
The most effective way to clean the area is to run it under water to rid it of any dirt and debris.
Getting a clear picture of the damage will let you know whether or not you need to get medical attention outside your home.
Burns
Sometimes no matter how careful you are, burns happen. The first thing to do is cool it down by running it under cool water. This not only makes it feel better but reduces swelling.
Take a look to determine how severe the burn is. If it’s larger than three inches in diameter you should be treated by a medical professional. The same should happen if there is pus or fluid coming from the afflicted area.
Pinched nerve
Pinched nerves can be scary and caused by any number of things.
You’ll want to check for a full range of motion to determine how severe it is. If it’s in your neck, rotate your head back and forth as far as it can go. If it’s in an arm or leg, move the afflicted limb as you normally would.
Notate how restricted the movement is. Also consider how much pain is being caused as you move.
Sprains
This common injury most often happens to the ankle when ligaments are torn, and it can be quite painful.
It’s often tender and pain occurs when weight is applied to the area. You may also notice bruising or swelling.
The first 24 to 48 hours are crucial and will help determine how bad the sprain is. Be sure to first limit the use of your ankle by resting. Apply ice or a cold pack in 20-minute intervals to bring the swelling down.
Compress the ankle by wrapping an elastic bandage around it, which will also help decrease swelling.
Finally, as you’re resting, elevate your foot so it’s higher than your heart.
If you notice the amount of swelling or bruising has not changed after 48 hours, or has gotten much worse, seek medical attention.
Insect bites
These also often come out of nowhere and can seem severe immediately, but need to be assessed over time to determine what’s actually going on.
Skin around the area may swell up and that swelling could last for two hours to two days.
Keep an eye on the area. Has it gotten bigger or more sensitive to touch? If so, see a doctor for a diagnosis.
