People get hurt all the time. When you get injured, you may be tempted to just shrug it off and put a bandaid on it or take some pain medication and a nap. For a lot of minor injuries, this isn’t a bad strategy, but there are some things that need more attention and you shouldn’t be disregarding.
Car Accident Injuries
If you have been in a car accident, you need to take any injury seriously. What may seem like an ache or soreness, could be masking more serious issues. Because car accidents tend to happen at higher speeds, there is often quite a bit of force involved. While some issues, like broken bones, could be more readily apparent, you could also have suffered whiplash, fractures, or other internal issues. According to Immediate Clinic, getting checked out by a doctor after a car accident is important, especially if the airbags went off. Not only can this prevent your injuries from getting worse, it also allows you to sue the other driver’s insurance for your treatment if they are determined to be at fault.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are quite a big deal, and for good reason. Head wounds tend to bleed a lot, which can be unnerving. If you have hit your head with enough force to cause an injury, there is a high likelihood that you may have also hurt your brain. Because literally everything goes back to have a healthy and functional brain, this is something you need to pay attention to. Just because you feel fine in the moment doesn’t mean everything is okay. According to Bruscato Law, brain injuries may not immediately manifest with physical signs. If you suspect even a minor concussion, make sure you have someone keep an eye on you. If you do experience symptoms of brain trauma, get to the doctor as soon as possible. Not only can brain injuries cause a lot of problems, they often take a long time to heal. Getting early treatment is a crucial piece of the puzzle.
Animal Bites
Animal attacks are a very scary experience, even if it doesn’t leave many injuries. However, according to UpToDate, if you do suffer any bites in an animal attack, you need to get them checked out. Even a little bit isn’t something you should just put a bandage on and call it a day. Animals often carry diseases, and mouths are honestly a haven for bacteria, which increases your chance of infection. Depending on where the bite is and how deep it is, you may also be at risk for a bone infection or sepsis, which can be life-threatening. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics to combat infection, make sure you take all of them. Not finishing your antibiotics may cause the infection to return. Immediately after the bite, you should wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water and cover it with a clean bandage. Then keep an eye on it for any infection setting in or any new symptoms appearing.
Burns
Obviously, if you bump your finger against a hot pan and it causes a first degree burn, this isn’t something you need to seek treatment for. Think small, some redness like a sunburn, and superficial. You can run those burns under cool water for a while, but some burn cream and a bandage on and call it a day. However, if your burn blisters or is larger, this is something you need to pay attention to. These burns are more likely to develop an infection, limit mobility if they are on your hands, feet, or joints and scar. If you suffer a more severe burn, according to BetterMed, start by soaking it in cool water and keeping the burn clean. Reach out to your doctor for further guidance. As it begins to heal, it may be tempting to pick at the old and dead skin that forms the top of the burn, but try to avoid that. This is protecting the new skin that is forming and healing underneath. The longer you can leave it alone, the better it will heal in the long run.
If you have suffered any of these injuries, make sure you get proper medical attention for them. You don’t want to shrug them off now and end up with painful long-term consequences because you didn’t give them the right amount of care.
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