Thursday, July 2, 2009

Bruises and blisters are quite common conditions. Depending on the severity of the bruise or blisters, it will require different level of medical attention. Learn about how these conditions can be acquired to educate yourself on how to prevent or treat them.

What are Blisters?

Blisters commonly happen on your feet and there are several reasons for them. A common reason would be hiking for extended periods of time, or using improper type of footwear. Even the size or type of socks you use can cause blisters. This represents a common type of blister known as friction blister.

The repetition of applying friction on the skin causes burns or irritation on your skin. Therefore, blisters are common among athletes or outdoor individuals who perform a lot of walking or running on their shoes. This is why athletes need to carefully choose the footwear to use as blisters are quite common.

Preventing Blisters

With the introduction of modern medicine, there are various ways of treating blisters. However, prevention is still better than cure. Take note of the following pointers to help avoid developing blisters:

• Only wear shoes that fit correctly.
• For athletes, taping their foot are a good way to protect the skin.
• Check the seams of your shoes to ensure that they remain flat, leaving no source of discomfort for your feet.
• Keep your feet dry at all times as most shoes are socks make you more prone to developing blisters.

First Aid Treatment for Blisters

It is important to treat blisters as soon as the first sign begins to show. Here are more tips:

• When you see redness on your skin, apply blister plaster on the specific area affected by blisters.
• You can also apply petroleum jelly on the affected area as this will help soothe the pain. This form of treatment is only good for short term measure, however.
• If you have blisters on the weight bearing surface and it has not burst yet, you can do it on your own using a pin or needle. Make sure to sterilize the pin by passing it against a flame.

What is a Bruise?

Bruises are characterized by a black-and-blue mark on the surface of your skin. This happens when your skin receives a blow that is enough to damage the small blood vessels, causing a tiny amount of blood to leak into the tissues right beneath your skin, thus making it visible on the surface. In some cases, the bruise appear to be red dots that are tiny.

There are several causes of bruises such as hitting a hard object, falling, sports, or accidents. However, the symptoms are pretty general such as swelling, pain on the area when touched, and discoloration on the skin.

When To See a Doctor

Most bruises are non-life threatening and will eventually heal after a few days. However, you must seek the assistance of a professional in any of the following cases:

• If the bruise is large enough to cause a significant amount of pain. Immediate medical assistance is also necessary when the bruise seems to develop over time.
• Some people bruise easily and the bleeding might be manifested in various areas of the body such as gums, nose, or urine. Therefore, you need to seek the help of a doctor to see if it is caused by some other conditions.
• If the bruise persists for longer than two weeks or when it starts to become unusual (even for someone who bruises easily), seek professional advice or consultation.

Treatment for Bruises

Most type of bruises vanish after two weeks. However, you can follow the first aid tips below to enhance the healing process:

*Keep the bruised area raised or elevated.
*If there are no broken skin, there is no need to use bandage on your bruises.
*You can use a cold compress once or twice a day for at least half an hour to an hour.
*If you are suffering from pain along with the bruise, you can take pain killing medications such as acetaminophen.
*Never drain the bruise with a needle.
*If possible, rest the area suffering from bruise.
*You can help your body naturally heal by intaking foods rich in vitamin C, protein, and bioflavinoids.






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