Does it require stitches, antibiotics or just a bandage? It is tricky knowing when to seek a doctor’s attention for a cut - after all, accidents happen. There may be times when someone you know will get scratches, scrapes or skinned knees from something as unexpected as minor household mishaps.
For most parts, this calls for simple first aid for wound treatment you can do either with a health professional’s help or yourself.
Most of the time, these open wounds are minor and heal without medical intervention. Refer to our earlier blog to learn more about what you should do if you have a cut or bruise.
However, there are times when injuries are more severe, requiring stitches and devoted medical attention to heal properly. Otherwise, there may be a risk of infection if left unattended.
In the nutshell, cuts are caused by sharp objects while lacerations are caused by blunt trauma. While the former is usually shallower than the latter, both wounds can be severe enough to incite a visit to the A&E clinic.
If the minor injury is not serious, first aid for wound treatment from home would suffice.
cut or bruise
The urgency of the injury largely depends on the length, depth and location of the wound and bleeding. If your injury is wide, jagged or deep with persistent bleeding, you have to seek professional care at the A&E immediately.
There are symptoms that first aid for wound treatment at home may not be the right thing to do. It includes:
Cuts so deep that yellow fatty tissue can be seen
Discolouration of the skin
Gaping wide gap that gentle pressure cannot close the wound
Located on a joint, possibly damaging nerves, tendons or ligaments
Numbness
While a visit to the A&E is required, you can take some measures at home first. Try the following:
Clean the wound gently with tap water or saline solution
Do not attempt to remove foreign objects stuck in the wound
Elevate injured area
Stop the bleeding with direct pressure
We know that the journey to the A&E can be risky at this point or tiring if you’re already sick. We have an alternative for you.
If the condition requires prolonged attention or is more serious than initially thought, we will provide fast-track referrals to A&E clinics. And if you need an ambulance to quickly get you to the hospital, you can book an ambulance by either calling our hotline or using our app.
So, if you’ve not already done so, download the Speedoc app today.
There are many types of bone fractures. For example, it could occur during mishaps or awkward landings while playing sports. With your bone jutting out, it may look like a serious matter.
The key is dealing with the fracture properly right from the start. If the medication you currently have in your first aid box is inadequate, youLearn how to provide the bone fracture with the right treatment and attention so that it can heal within a few months.
We know it is sometimes unclear when one should go to the emergency room to treat broken bones. The best thing to do is to ask a doctor or healthcare professional about what the next best steps are.
A bone fracture is a break in the cartilage or bone as a result of force, trauma, or a disease such as osteoporosis or a congenital defect. These bone fractures fall into one of two categories.
The compound or open fractures penetrate the skin and expose underlying tissues and bone
Simple fractures are those that do not break through the skin; they are harder to diagnose without imaging devices.
If you are experiencing one of the two fractures listed above, it would be best to seek the help of a GP for an initial consultation to gauge its severity. At Speedoc, we have GPs available 24/7 to service you and your needs. If our GP sees the need to, he/she will provide a fast-track referral to our partners at A&E clinics.
Once you’ve been treated at the A&E, Speedoc doctors can provide you with medicine to help your wound heal faster and better.
At the A&E, the treatment course the physician takes will depend on the severity of the fracture. Different treatments include:
Bone alignment
Splints
Casts
Surgery
and pain medication
When in doubt, it would be best to seek a professional perspective. At Speedoc, we provide guidelines on how to help bone fractures heal better and faster. It helps that we're always a phone call or virtual consultation away.
In fact, our doctors would be in the best position to deliver medicine to the heal wounds faster