Skin Injuries

Blisters

What is it?

A bubble on the skin filled with serum caused by friction, burning, or other damage.

Plan of Action:

If a blister isn't too painful, try to keep it intact. Unbroken skin over a blister may provide a natural barrier to bacteria and decreases the risk of infection. Cover it with a bandage or moleskin. Cut a piece of moleskin into a doughnut shape and place the pad so that it encircles and protects the blister. Then cover the blister and moleskin with gauze.
To relieve blister-related pain, drain the fluid while leaving the overlying skin intact. Here's how:

Prevention:

To prevent friction blisters on your feet, wear shoes that fit well. It also helps to use moisture-wicking socks. Try the various socks, shoes and insoles that are designed specifically to help reduce blistering. You might also try attaching moleskin to the inside of your shoes where it might rub. Or you can dust the inside of your socks with foot powder. Gloves help prevent blisters on your hands.

Bruise

What is it?

A bruise forms when blood vessels under the skin break. The trapped blood creates a bruise that's black, purple or blue then changes color as it heals.

Plan of Action:

If the skin isn't broken, you don't need to bandage a bruise. Consider taking a nonprescription pain reliever if needed.
Consult your health care provider if you:

Burns

What is it?

Tissue damage from hot liquids, the sun, flames, chemicals, electricity, steam and other causes. 

Plan of Action:

Minor Burns
For major burns until emergency help arrives:

When to seek emergency care:

Call 911 or seek immediate care for major burns, which:
Electrical burns, including those caused by lightning, and major chemical burns need emergency medical care. A minor burn might need emergency care if it affects the eyes, mouth, hands or genital areas. Babies and older adults might need emergency care for minor burns as well.

Cuts and Scrapes

What is it?

A minor skin wound that may or may not draw blood.

Plan of Action:

1. Wash your hands. This helps avoid infection.
2. Stop the bleeding. Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If needed,      apply gentle pressure with a clean bandage or cloth and elevate the wound until bleeding      stops.
3. Clean the wound. Rinse the wound with water. Keeping the wound under running tap            water will reduce the risk of infection. Wash around the wound with soap. But don't get          soap in the wound. And don't use hydrogen peroxide or iodine, which can be irritating.            Remove any dirt or debris with a tweezers cleaned with alcohol. See a doctor if you can't        remove all debris.
4. Apply an antibiotic or petroleum jelly. Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic ointment or            petroleum jelly to keep the surface moist and help prevent scarring. Certain ingredients in      some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the          ointment.
5. Cover the wound. Apply a bandage, rolled gauze or gauze held in place with paper tape.      Covering the wound keeps it clean. If the injury is just a minor scrape or scratch, leave it          uncovered.
6. Change the dressing. Do this at least once a day or whenever the bandage becomes wet      or dirty.
7. Get a tetanus shot. Get a tetanus shot if you haven't had one in the past five years and          the wound is deep or dirty.
8. Watch for signs of infection. See a doctor if you see signs of infection on the skin or              near the wound, such as redness, increasing pain, drainage, warmth or swelling.

Foreign Object in the Skin

What is it?

An object stuck under the skin such as wood splinters, thorns, slivers of metal or glass, and gravel.

Plan of Action:

When to Seek Medical Help:

For a foreign object that seems to be more deeply embedded in the skin or muscle. 
In addition, seek medical help if:

Puncture Wounds

What is it?

A wound made by a pointed object such as a nail. knife, or sharp tooth.

Plan of Action:

1. Wash your hands. This helps prevent infection.
2. Stop the bleeding. Apply gentle pressure with a clean bandage or cloth.
3. Clean the wound. Rinse the wound with clear water for 5 to 10 minutes. If dirt or debris remains in the wound, use a washcloth to gently scrub it off. See a doctor if you can't remove all of the dirt or debris.
4. Apply an antibiotic. Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment (Neosporin, Polysporin). For the first two days, rewash the area and reapply the antibiotic when you change the dressing.
5. Cover the wound. Bandages help keep the wound clean.
6. Change the dressing. Do this daily or whenever the bandage becomes wet or dirty.
7. Watch for signs of infection. See a doctor if the wound isn't healing or you notice any increasing pain, pus, swelling or fever. On light skin, spreading redness is a sign of infection. On dark skin, redness may not be apparent, or the infection's streaks may look purplish-gray or darker than your normal skin.

Seek prompt medical care:

If the injured person hasn't had a tetanus shot in the past five years and the wound is deep or dirty, your doctor may recommend a booster. The injured person should have the booster shot within 48 hours of the injury.
If the wound was caused by a cat or a dog, try to confirm that its rabies vaccination is up to date. If it was caused by a wild animal, seek advice from your doctor about which animals are most likely to carry rabies.