Common Injuries that Require First Aid: What to Do

Any injury sustained is in need of first aid, and it is for this reason you need to know basic first aid skills for immediate action. Stay tuned to find out about the common injuries that require first aid.

What are some of the most common injuries that require first aid?

Short Answer: These injuries would be lacerations, fractures, sprains, cuts and burns.

Fractures will need immediate attention as it can become more severe
If nosebleeds persist for more than 10 minutes or later, medical attention is needed.
Basic first aid can be applied until professional medical help arrives for these common injuries
Injuries sustained during sports are also very common

Introduction to Common Injuries Requiring First Aid

First aid is the immediate care given to an injured person until professional medical assistance arrives.

Being knowledgeable about common injuries and how to provide first aid is crucial in emergency situations.

While you go most days without any major health issues, it is inevitable that everyone will injure themselves at some point that needs immediate attention and first aid.

Injuries can happen when cooking, during sports, or even when you are simply out and about.

Let’s take a deeper look at the common injuries that require first aid:

Burns

Burns can result from heat, electricity, radiation or chemicals. First-degree burns affect the top layer of the skin, causing pain and redness.

Second-degree burns penetrate deeper, causing blisters. Third-degree burns are the most severe, damaging all layers of the skin.

Fractures

A fracture is a broken bone. It can be a simple fracture, where the bone remains aligned, or a compound fracture, where the bone breaks through the skin.

Sprains

Sprains are common injuries that occur when ligaments have been stretched or torn.

Cuts and scrapes

These injuries happen when the skin is damaged or torn. It is possibly the most common type of injury with children when they are playing outside.

Note that while first aid can provide initial care for injuries, it is important to seek professional medical attention for more severe or more life-threatening situations.

Regular training in first aid and CPR is highly recommended to handle emergencies effectively.

First Aid Practices for Wounds and Lacerations

When it comes to first aid practices for wounds and lacerations, you need to take prompt actions to minimize the risk of infection and promote proper healing. Here are some steps you can follow:

Assess the wound

Examine the wound to determine the severity. If the bleeding is profuse or there is a deep, gaping wound, it may require medical attention beyond basic first aid.

Clean your hands

Before touching the wound, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and use hand sanitizer to minimize the risk of bacteria in the wound.

Control bleeding

Apply direct pressure to the wound using a sterile dressing or clean cloth to stop the bleeding. Maintain pressure until the bleeding subsides. If blood soaks through the dressing, add another layer without removing the other one.

Clean the wound

Rinse the wound gently with clean water to remove any debris or dirt. Avoid using harsh antiseptics, hydrogen peroxide, as they may damage the tissues and delay healing.

Cover the wound

Place a sterile adhesive bandage or dressing over the wound to protect it from further contamination. Make sure the bandage is secure but not too tight to restrict circulation.

These are general steps for treating lacerations and wounds, each situation may vary. Assess the situation and then seek appropriate medical help when it is needed.

First Aid Practices for Sprains and Fractures

Accidents and emergencies happen at any time, and being prepared to provide immediate first aid can make a significant difference in the outcome.

Knowing how to respond to these common injuries will definitely minimize the severity of an injury.

The primary goal in the event of sprains or fractures is to provide immediate care to:

Reduce pain
Prevent further injury
Promote the healing process

Let’s take a look at some steps you can follow when treating sprains and fractures:

Rest and immobilization

The injured person needs to rest and avoid putting weight on the affected area. If possible, immobilize the injured limb using a splint or makeshift support to prevent any movement that may worsen the injury.

Ice packs

Apply an ice pack or a cold compress wrapped in a clean cloth to the injured area for about 15-20 minutes at a time. This will help with the inflammation, swelling and pain.

Compression

Gentle compression to the area will help with the swelling and provide support to the injured limb. However, make sure the compression is not too tight and does not affect the blood circulation.

Elevation

Elevate the injured limb above the level of the heart, if possible. When the swelling goes down, it will allow for the fluids to drain away from the injury site.

Medical evaluation

Depending on the severity of the sprain or fracture, it is necessary to seek medical attention. Additionally, if the pain is severe, there is significant swelling or deformity, professional help is needed.

Note that first aid for sprains or fractures is intended for initial care and should be followed by proper medical assessment and treatment.

First Aid Practices for Burns, Allergic Reactions, and Other Emergency Situations

Burns

Burns are common injuries that can occur due to heat, chemicals, or electricity.

When responding to burns, it’s important to remove the source of the burn if it is safe to do so.

Cooling the burned area with cold running water for at least 10 minutes helps reduce pain and limit the extent of the injury.

Covering the burn with sterile dressing or a clean cloth will protect it from infection.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe, and the more severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening and require medical attention.

If the person has an EpiPen, help them in administering it. You can also do the following things:

Providing support
Maintaining a comfortable position
Staying with the person until help arrives

Bleeding

Bleeding can occur due to various injuries, either minor cuts to severe wounds.

Applying direct pressure using a clean cloth will help to control the bleeding.

Elevating the injured area can also minimize the blood flow.

Heart Attack

When it comes to a heart attack, you will have to call emergency services immediately.

Have the person lie down or sit down in a comfortable position.

If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start with CPR if you are trained to do so.

Stroke

Recognize the signs of a stroke, such as a sudden wave of weakness or numbness in the face, arm, especially one side of the body.

Call emergency services immediately.

Keep the person in a resting position and reassure them while waiting for medical help.

Note that these are general guidelines, and it is crucial to prioritize personal safety and contact professional medical service as soon as possible.

To learn more about first aid, you can read our article A Brief Explanation of the Role of First Aid by clicking here.

Another article on Choosing an Appropriate First Aider is about who can perform first aid.

Conclusion

In this article, we covered the common injuries that require first aid. Take your time with reading it as there is a lot of valuable information.

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