A bruise is a closed tissue damage orinternal organs with preservation of the integrity of the skin. As a rule, such a trauma is a consequence of the mechanical influence of some damaging agent.
Contusions can occur when falling from a height, when striking a solid blunt object, when squeezing between objects.
Clinic and symptoms of bruises
A bruise is manifested by a number of symptoms:
- Swelling. It appears due to the movement of inflammatory fluid, blood, lymph into the subcutaneous fat. The latter is greater in the place of damage, the more swelling will be.
- Bruising (bruise). Their prevalence will depend on the strength of the damaging agent. They can be both in the form of point hemorrhages, and in the form of a hematoma.
- Pain. It is a consequence of the compression of tissues with inflammatory exudates.
- Violation of function.
На основании окраски ушиба можно судить о time that has passed since the day of injury. In the first hours the place of the injury has a purplish-red color, which then turns into purple-blue. After 5-6 days, this color changes first to brownish-green, and then to yellowish.
Degrees of severity of bruises
Contusions can be classified according to the severity:
- I degree. Clinical manifestations are poorly expressed, do not give a person unpleasant sensations. Recovery comes on 3-4 days.
- II degree. A bruise of this degree changes the normal vital activity of a person. The pain is sharp, the trauma of soft tissues leads to the formation of edema and hemorrhages.
- III and IV degrees. The injury sharply limits the function of the damaged area. The muscles and tendons are severely injured.
First first aid with bruises
First aid is a set of measures,aimed at saving health and even human life. Such assistance should be able to provide any person who was nearby when getting injured by the injured.
First aid for injuries is as follows:
- Cool the place of injury. In the role of a cooling object, frozen foods from the refrigerator, ice, snow, a towel soaked in cold water, etc., can act.
- In the presence of various damages of the skin - abrasions, scratches, they must be treated with antiseptic solutions - hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine solution.
- Immobilization of the limb. In case of damage to the joint, it is necessary to immobilize the limb, for example, using a tire.
- To give the injured limb an elevated position.
- Anesthesia. With a strong pain syndrome, the patient can take an anesthetic from a group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Since the procedure for assisting with injuries depends on the location of the injury, it is necessary to consider each particular case.
Contusion of soft tissues
By soft tissues are understood as muscle,subcutaneous fat layer and skin. With bruising, the appearance of bruising and edema is characteristic, since in soft tissues blood and inflammatory exudate tend to spread.
First aid for soft tissue injuriesis to impose a cold compress. If the victim has scratches and abrasions, then the skin is processed, a sterile bandage is applied. To reduce pain, painkillers are used - NSAIDs. They can be used orally in the form of tablets, topically in the form of ointments.
After reducing pain, you can do a light self-massage to reduce swelling. To resolve hematomas apply ointments, which include heparin or an extract of leeches.
If you feel worse, and if there are no improvements, you should consult a doctor for specialized care.
Contusion of the extremities
For such damage is characterized by the presence of pain during movement, increasing swelling and bruising.
First aid for a bruised arm or leg involvesself cooling seat injury. Cold compress applied immediately after getting an injury for 10-15 minutes to prevent edema. Damaged skin is treated with any antiseptic solution and covered with a sterile bandage. The injured limb is elevated.
With pain, measures are needed to reduce pain - taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The site of the injury is treated with ointments based on NSAIDs, heparin.
If there is a suspected violation of the integrity of the ligaments, damage to the joints, it is necessary to immobilize the limb and go to a trauma unit or a surgical department.
Head injury
Head trauma is a serious enough pathology, since there is a high risk of brain damage.
With the usual soft tissue injury,called cones that arise as a result of impregnation of subcutaneous fat with an inflammatory infiltrate. The first help in case of head injury of this nature is the use of a cooling compress.
If the damaging agent is strongly exposedmore serious lesions are possible - subeponaurotic and subperiosteal hematomas, fractures of the skull bones, intracranial hematomas. Therefore, with severe bruising, always consult a specialist.
A serious consequence of the injury is damage to the brain. Any violation of consciousness and well-being should be the reason for contacting the hospital.
Contusion of the brain
This damage is a consequence of a traumatic brain injury, during which traumatization of brain structures occurs. Frontal and temporal lobes are most vulnerable to damage.
The brain contusion is dangerous, as the edema is formedbrain, which leads to the development of dislocation syndromes. Such syndromes include wedging of the tonsils of the cerebellum into the occipital opening, temporo-tentorial displacements and others.
The main symptoms of brain damage depend on the degree of injury.
- Easy degree.To damage such a degree of severity, a loss or clouding of consciousness is characteristic. The patient is in a stupor, can not describe the events that led to the trauma. On the background of the edema, intracranial pressure increases, which leads to dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Focal symptoms are not expressed, there is nystagmus, anisocoria.
- The average degree.As a rule, consciousness is absent for several hours. After the consciousness has returned, the patient is practically in a dock, in a deafened state. Characteristic cerebral symptoms - headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, meningeal symptoms, as well as focal disorders. The patient may feel a violation of the sensitivity of certain areas of the body. There are deviations in the regulation of vital vital functions - violation of breathing, heart rate.
- Heavy degree. The patient is unconscious for several days. Characterized by a violation of vital functions - respiration, palpitation, thermoregulation.
First aid with a bruised brainis an urgent hospitalization. While waiting for help, if the patient is unconscious, it is better to turn it over and put it on its side. This action will prevent the tongue from slipping and aspiration with vomit. To reduce the rate of swelling, it is advisable to give the head an elevated position. Be sure to monitor breathing, pulse and pressure.
Contusion of internal organs
Damage to the internal organs is also a rather serious pathology. Such damage is often a consequence of car accidents, falls from a height.
Internal organs can be damaged both in the abdominal cavity and in the chest.
Help the patient in this case will bein urgent hospitalization. Before the ambulance arrives, the patient should be put on his back, apply a tight bandage, apply cold. Prior to the arrival of specialists from medical anesthesia, it is better to refuse, since taking drugs can change the clinical picture.
Contusion of joints
The main symptom of joint damage ismobility impairment. This is due to the fact that the inflammatory infiltrate penetrates into the joint cavity. Because of the swelling, the joint increases in size, taking an ellipsoidal shape. In order to reduce pain, the victim involuntarily bends the limb, fixing it in a forced position.
First aid for uncomplicated bruisesis to apply a cold compress to the site of injury. In more severe conditions, it is necessary to immobilize the limb, to cool the site of the injury. If necessary, give an anesthetic drug and go to a medical facility.
First aid for severe injuries
As a rule, the treatment of severe injuries includesself appeal to a specialist. Damage to this degree of severity can be accompanied by accumulation of blood in the joints (hemarthrosis), extensive hematomas. Then you need a puncture to suck blood. Sometimes it is possible to use the incisions to remove the accumulated liquid.
First aid for severe injury is to provide rest, applying a cold compress, anesthesia.
Also, with severe bruises, skin detachment from deep-lying fascias, aponeuroses is possible. With such a pathology, it is necessary to apply a pressure bandage.
After reducing the pain, therapeutic massage, warming up, and therapeutic exercises are used to resolve the edema.
