SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

REMIND TEXT @nesh2020 to 81010

An Injury to the Soft Tissue Area. WHAT IS A WOUND? An Injury to the Soft Tissue Area.

CLOSED WOUNDS Develop from a forceful blow or hit to the body. DO NOT VISIBLY BLEED DO NOT BREAK THE SKIN.

BRUISE CONTUSION CAUSE: Body is bumped or hit. CLOSED DO THEY BLEED A LOT? CAUSE: Body is bumped or hit. NOT VISIBLY EXAMPLE: CLOSED BRUISE

THEN CHECK FOR INTERNAL SIGNS OF BLEEDING! RICE ELEVATION REST ICE COMPRESSION THEN CHECK FOR INTERNAL SIGNS OF BLEEDING!

Cuts, Scrapes, Burns VISIBLY BLEED BREAK THE SKIN. OPEN WOUNDS Cuts, Scrapes, Burns VISIBLY BLEED BREAK THE SKIN.

ABRASION SCRAPE CAUSE: Something rubbing against the skin. OPEN DO THEY BLEED A LOT? CAUSE: Something rubbing against the skin. Not usually. Damage is to Capillaries. EXAMPLE: OPEN SCRAPE

LACERATION CUT CAUSE: Cut in the skin by a sharp object. OPEN DO THEY BLEED A LOT? CAUSE: Cut in the skin by a sharp object. Can bleed heavily or not at all. EXAMPLES: CUT OPEN

Portion of the skin is partially or completely torn away. AVULSION CAUSE: Portion of the skin is partially or completely torn away. DO THEY BLEED A LOT? Often significantly. EXAMPLES: AMPUTATION OPEN

PUNCTURE CAUSE: Pointed object pierces the skin. NAIL IN FOOT OPEN DO THEY BLEED A LOT? CAUSE: Pointed object pierces the skin. Does not tend to bleed much. EXAMPLES: OPEN NAIL IN FOOT

Controlling External Bleeding Apply Gloves/Cover Hands Cover the wound with dressings. Apply direct pressure until the bleeding stops. Cover the dressing with a bandage Apply more pressure if bleeding does not stop! Call 9-1-1 if needed. Wash hands with soap and water.

SIGNS OF INTERNAL BLEEDING Tender, swollen, bruised or hard area of the body. Rapid, weak pulse Skin that feels cool or moist or looks bluish. Vomiting or coughing up blood. Excessive thirst Becoming confused, faint, drowsy or unconscious.

BURNS Burns are classified by their sources: Heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation Also classified by depth: Deeper the burn, worse it is. Superficial (1st Degree) Partial Thickness (2nd Degree) Full Thickness (3rd Degree)

1st DEGREE BURN Superficial Burn Involves only the top layer of the skin. Skin is red and dry, usually painful and the area may swell. Usually heals within a week without permanent scaring.

2nd DEGREE BURN Partial Thickness Burn Involves the top & middle layers of skin. Skin is red; usually painful; has blisters that may weep fluid; often swells. Usually heals in about 3-4 weeks and may scar.

3rd DEGREE BURN Full Thickness Burn May destroy all layers of the skin and some underlying structures. May be brown or black with tissue appearing white. Extremely painful. Requires medical assistance for healing and will scar.

CARING FOR A BURN Stop the Burning by removing the person from the source. Check for life-threatening conditions. Cool the burn with large amounts of lukewarm running water. Cover the burn loosely with a sterile dressing. Prevent Infection. Take steps to minimize shock Keep the person from getting chilled or overheated. Call 9-1-1 if needed.

NEVER… Don’t use ICE, Ice Water, or very cold water. Don’t apply Butter, Ointments or Sprays Do not remove clothing or bandages that are stuck to a burn