Injury

Aid

Comments

fracture

A fractured limb should be immobilized and the victim must immediately go or be taken to hospital. If there is a large swelling, a cold compress can be applied on the painful site.

In the case of open fractures, do not attempt to hide the protruding bone under the skin. Just rinse the wound with clean water and immediately call the ambulance service.

burn wound

Burnt skin should be washed with cold but not ice‑cold water and then covered with a damp gauze dressing and gently bandaged. In the case of chemical burns, immediately apply a stream of running water onto burnt skin – even for several minutes.

If you burn yourself, for example, with a cleaning agent, rinse the burn with diluted vinegar or lemon juice.

contusion

Apply a cold compress (e.g. crushed ice or a package of frozen food wrapped in a towel).

If you hit your head hard when you fall and you find it difficult to maintain your balance, you need to see a doctor.

wound

Minor wounds should be washed with water, disinfecteddisinfectiondisinfected and covered with plaster. Larger wounds need to be stitched by a surgeon.

Extensive wounds (e.g. abrasions) need to be washed exclusively with clean water to remove any dirt or debris and then covered with a dressing bought in a pharmacy.

sprain

A dislocated joint and adjacent bones should be immobilized and cooled down and then you should go to hospital, where a doctor will fix the dislocated joint and will put a dressing on it in a professional way.

Sprains that do not cause much pain or swelling do not require a visit to hospital.

insect sting

The sting area should be covered with soothing ointment. If you have been stung by a bee, it is also necessary to quickly remove the sting embedded in the skin. Then you should wash the sting area with soap and water and cool it with a cold compress.

In the case of breathing difficulties, nausea or a rapid heartbeat following an insect sting, call an ambulance as soon as possible. A sting in the neck area may lead to breathing difficulties due to swelling. In this situation, start sucking ice or drinking cold drinks as soon as possible and then go to a doctor. You should also go to a doctor in the case of multiple stings.

a bite

Adder bites are rare and they are not deadly, but they may be dangerous for children and elderly people. The bite site (two marks left by venomous fangs) should be washed with soap and water and then cooled down. The bitten person should remain calm. A bitten limb should be immobilized and the snakebite victim should move slowly, because movement helps the venom spread through the body. A visit to hospital is necessary or an ambulance must be called.

Note – the sucking of venom from the wound that you can see in some movies makes no sense and should not be done. Most snakes in Poland are not venomous. However, snakes should not be disturbed, because their bites may be painful.