First aid for bruises

First aid for bruises should be quick, especially if a child is injured or particularly dangerous areas of the body are damaged. Although a bruise is considered a minor injury without damage to the skin, bruises can nevertheless be very strong and damage fairly deep layers of soft tissue. In addition, if the head, stomach or back is injured, this can lead to more serious problems than simple swelling and hematoma. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to differentiate the severity of the bruise, if possible, and then develop an action plan.

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How to determine that first aid is needed for bruises?

Before deciding what first aid for bruises should consist of, determine its symptoms:

• Swelling, swelling in the area of the injury;
• Bruising that may increase in size over several hours;
• If the bruise is severe, a hematoma may appear after a few days;
• Severe pain in the first hour after injury, then the pain subsides;
• If the injury is accompanied by a partial rupture of muscle tissue, the functioning of the injured part of the body may be impaired.

Signs and symptoms of a fracture:

• Acute pain from injury that does not subside within 24 hours;
• Extensive hematoma, spreading rapidly;
• Swelling that increases with each passing hour;
• Severe pain with the slightest movement or turning of the affected body part;
• Pain when putting weight on the injured leg;
• Pain when inhaling, coughing, sneezing, turning the body, if a rib is damaged, pale skin;
• Pain when bending the arm or finger;
• Atypical protrusions, bumps on damaged limbs (fracture with displacement);
• Visually, the damaged limb looks unnatural (bent, at an angle, hanging).

If there is no doctor nearby or no opportunity to seek medical help to differentiate the injury, you can independently, correctly determine the axial load and provide such an event as first aid for bruises. This method allows you to distinguish a fracture from a severe bruise, since a fracture damages the periosteum, where a large number of pain receptors are located. The load is carried out in the longitudinal direction, when the damaged bone is forced to be subjected to feasible pressure.

Axial Load Syndrome:

• The person is asked to carefully lean on the injured limb (arm or leg). A sharp pain radiating upward indicates a crack or fracture;
• The victim is placed in a horizontal position, the heel of the injured leg is tapped. Radiating pain indicates a fracture;
• The victim clenches the injured hand into a fist; tapping on the clenched fist causes severe pain.

In addition, a bruise can be distinguished from a fracture by the limitation of motor activity. The functioning of the body part damaged by the bruise is not disrupted immediately, but after the swelling increases, a person can bend or straighten the limbs, turn, although with difficulty. With ligament ruptures and fractures, movement disorders, both active and more passive, appear immediately.

First aid for bruises after differentiation of the injury consists of the following:

• A bandage on the injured area, preferably sterile. Do not tighten the bandage too tightly, so as not to impede the already impaired blood circulation;
• If a limb is injured, elevate the injured arm or leg to allow blood to drain;
• Apply a cold compress for 24 hours, changing it periodically to limit the localization of swelling and bruising.

In principle, the algorithm of actions for a bruise is quite simple - rest and cold for a day. Then you can use local therapy in the form of ointments, gels containing anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, absorbable substances. After three days, it is possible to apply warming compresses and apply an ointment that improves blood microcirculation. Massage and rubbing should be done after the swelling has begun to decrease.

First aid for bruises can be provided by a third party or independently, that is, self-help. As a rule, the symptoms of a bruise disappear gradually within ten days. If after the specified period, the bruise continues to bother, you should consult a doctor to undergo a course of additional therapy.