Each person from time to time falls unsuccessfully or hits something. The result of such awkwardness can be a slight bruise, which will pass in a few days without special treatment, or a serious fracture. What should everyone know about first aid for such household injuries? We will try to figure out what common signs of bruising, dislocation and fracture have, and how to make the correct diagnosis at home.
A bruise is ...
A bruise is a closed injury resulting from mechanical stress. Damage can spread to soft tissues, internal organs, joints and bones. It is widely believed that a bruise is a minor injury that does not require complex treatment. This is a big mistake. In modern medicine, there is a classification of injuries in this category. Sometimes a bruise can pose a significant danger to the life and health of the patient. The danger of injuries in this category lies in the fact that a layman can sometimes confuse them with more serious injuries, such as a dislocation or a fracture. What are the symptoms and signs of a bruise? Before answering this question, we will try to figure out what incidents can cause a similar injury. In everyday life, bruises most often earn from falls, collisions with hard objects, and fights. Damage of this category can also be obtained in case of serious transport and industrial accidents.
Symptoms and signs of injury
The main sign of any bruise is the soreness of the affected area. Depending on the degree of damage, swelling may also occur, sometimes hematomas appear. Often with bruises, the function of the limb or organ is impaired. With minor injuries, this symptom can disappear without a trace in a few hours. If the damage is serious enough, medical attention and the appointment of specific therapy according to the individual indications of the patient are required. Sometimes the first signs of a bruise are not only soreness and swelling, but also superficial damage to the skin. Abrasions and scratches can occur when falling on uneven, rough surfaces.
Classification of bruises
In official medicine, an injury such as a bruise has four degrees of severity. The first category is the most insignificant. It includes lesions characterized by mild pain. Swelling and bruising with such injuries are not observed. Usually after 1-2 days, the victim completely forgets about the unpleasant incident, without any special treatment.
Others have signs of a second degree bruise. Damages in this category are characterized by pronounced painful sensations for at least the first 24 hours. The affected area swells, the appearance of hematomas or abrasions is possible.
With a third degree bruise, muscles and tendons are damaged. Trauma is accompanied by the appearance of edema, hematomas and acute pain. Such damage requires serious treatment, and sometimes quite a long rehabilitation.
A fourth degree bruise is a very serious injury, which requires urgent hospitalization. These injuries are diagnosed in falls from high altitude, accidents. Most often, not only soft tissues are damaged, but also internal organs and bones.
What parts of the body are bruised?
At the word "bruise", most recall their own childhood and knees forever torn away during active games. In fact, not only limbs can be hurt. Injuries of this type are also characteristic of the head, back, tailbone,
chest , abdominal cavity, brain and internal organs. And yet, the hands most often suffer: bruises of the fingers, hand, elbow, shoulder, and forearm are common. Often there are injuries of the lower extremities - feet, lower legs, thighs, knees. How to prevent such damage? The most important thing is not to rush and try to do everything as accurately as possible. Follow basic safety rules at home and at work. Wear comfortable shoes and don't forget to look under your feet.
Bruised or dislocated joint?
Often a bruise is confused with such an injury as a dislocation. And indeed, the symptoms of both injuries are fairly similar. Dislocation is damage to the joint, characterized by a violation of the articular surfaces of the bones and sometimes a change in their natural position relative to each other. There are some common signs of bruising, fracture, and dislocation. This is, first of all, severe pain of the affected joint upon receipt of the injury and immediately after it. With a dislocation, the function of the affected limb is impaired. In this case, as well as with a usual bruise, there is swelling, swelling and redness. How to timely recognize a dislocation to a layman? With this injury, you can notice the external deformation of the joint, as well as the shortening of the affected limb, sometimes it takes an unnatural position.
Fracture and bruise: general symptoms and differences
A fracture is another injury that can result from a strong blow or fall. This damage is characterized by a violation of the integrity of the bone. With such an injury, the pain is very severe, and the edema in the area of damage is significant. Yet the signs of bruising, fracture, and dislocation are similar. With all these injuries,
subcutaneous hemorrhage is observed
, bruises appear. Fracture requires treatment under the supervision of specialists, and in some cases, the patient’s stay in the hospital. How to distinguish this injury from dislocation or contusion?
Visually, the easiest way to identify a limb fracture. An arm or leg looks unnatural, can bend in a place where there are no joints. When pressed in the area of the fracture, bone fragments can be felt, their crunch can also be heard. Attention! If such symptoms of the victim are found, it is necessary to urgently take to a hospital or call an ambulance.
First aid for minor bruises
What to do if a bruise occurs? This is a fairly common injury, first aid in which everyone should be able to. The first step is to apply a cool compress to the affected area. It can be an ice pack or a cloth dipped in cold water. Cooling treatments slow down tissue response and help reduce pain. It is important to prevent hypothermia. If you use ice, apply it for no more than 10 minutes. When providing first aid, it is important to understand what signs the bruise has in this particular case. After evaluating the symptoms, you can understand whether medical attention is required. If the injury is accompanied by superficial damage to the skin, they must be treated with an antiseptic, and then apply a bandage.
Serious bruise: signs and first aid
When the injury is accompanied by severe pain and extensive swelling, it is necessary first of all to provide the victim with peace. The first aid algorithm is the same as with minor damage. Common signs of bruising, fracture, and dislocation are soreness, swelling, and bruising. To improve the well-being of the victim and stop subcutaneous hemorrhage, a cold compress is used. If possible, apply a tight dressing to the damaged area. With severe pain, it is permissible to take any pain medication of general effect inside. If the injury is serious, for example, there are signs of a brain injury, an ambulance should be called immediately. Remember: if you want to help the victim, the main thing is not to harm. With any bruises, thermal effects on the injured area are unacceptable. It is also strictly forbidden to massage and rub the affected area. In the first days after injury, such procedures can only aggravate the patient's condition.
How are bruises treated?
When diagnosing a bruise, it is important to determine its degree, the nature of the damage, and to exclude the likelihood of more serious injuries. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. Signs of injury, fracture and dislocation are similar. In case of serious injuries, additional studies are carried out, eliminating the likelihood of injuries to the joints and bones. Most often, with bruises, special ointments and rubbing are prescribed to accelerate the healing process and relieve pain. These are such products as Fastum Gel, Quick Gel, Finalgon, Espola and their analogues. When applying ointments of these categories, follow the recommendations of the manufacturers. 2-3 days after the injury, the patient may be prescribed thermal procedures. With serious bruises, hospitalization is prescribed, in some cases, surgical treatment may be indicated.
Folk remedies
With minor bruises, home treatment can be carried out using alternative recipes. To prepare a healing lotion mix lemon juice with honey in equal proportions. In the resulting mixture, it is necessary to moisten a cotton-gauze swab and apply to the site of injury. Such a lotion is done up to three times a day. It is believed that cabbage has healing properties. Salads from this vegetable are supposed to be eaten in case of serious injuries and damage. With wounds and bruises, the cabbage leaf is punctured in several places, and then applied to the affected area. An ordinary dressing is made from above.
Common signs of bruising are swelling and bruising. To deal with them, ordinary beans can help. Cook it and grind, and then put the pulp on the sore spot. Any tool containing menthol can help cope with pain in the bruise. To alleviate the condition of the victim, it is allowed to apply toothpaste or shaving gel to minor damage. Be careful when using this folk recipe and any pharmacy ointments. If applied too abundantly and frequently, such a composition can damage the skin and cause irritation.