FIRST AID

Find out what to do in case of minor accidents – and how to treat and heal minor wounds as fast and efficient as possible.

ABOUT

First Aid - first measures

Accidents can happen, and when they do it is important to keep a cool head. Not everyone is accustomed to seeing blood, and sometimes even something harmless such as cutting vegetables in the kitchen can lead to a deep cut that will bleed profusely. Knowing how to react when and having a well-stocked first aid kit at home and in your car will help you be prepared.

YOU CAN‘T PREVENT ACCIDENTS,
BUT YOU CAN HAVE A GOOD
FIRST AID KIT AT HAND

Do you have a well-stocked first aid kit?

8 Golden Rules of First Aid

  1. Stay calm.
  2. Check whether your surroundings are safe. Don’t put yourself or the injured person at risk.
  3. Decide if you or the injured person needs medical aid; ask for advice if not sure.
  4. Reassure the injured person, if they are severely injured and under shock, and keep them warm. Stay with the injured person, keep them comfortable and don’t move them if you suspect an injury to the back or neck. Call for medical help in that case.
  5. Tell the medical experts as much information about the accident and symptoms as you can. Also, if you know about allergies, blood group, vaccinations or medical condition of the person (i.e. if they are on medication).
  6. Wash your hands before attending to the wound and wear disposable gloves to protect yourself and to prevent infections.
  7. Clean the wound carefully, wiping away any dirt and grit. Use a clean cotton cloth with a disinfectant or rinse with cold water, then pat area dry before applying a clean dressing. Do not remove embedded objects, leave that to medical staff.
  8. Keep your first aid kit up to date. Do not forget to replace any items you use from your first aid kit and check expiry dates regularly. Find inspiration here.

When do I need a doctor?

Most minor cuts and bruises can be treated effectively with a first-aid kit. (see: wound dressing). But how do you know if an injury needs closer attention?

 

We recommend to contact a medical professional in the following circumstances:

  • if the wound is deep and causes major bleeding
  • if the wound shows signs of infection such as redness, warmth, pain and swelling
  • if there are embedded foreign objects
  • in case of an animal or human bite or
  • in case of contact with animal blood
  • if the wound is in the area of the face
  • if there is insufficient tetanus vaccination
  • and of course any time you have questions or are uncertain
Recommendation: Also, seek medical advice in case of breathing problems, unconsciousness, a deep wound with a major loss of blood, a severe burn, a suspected fracture or broken bone a suspected heart attack, a severe allergic reaction, a snake, animal bite or human bite, poisoning, severe shock, any condition which turns rapidly worse.
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TREATMENT

What does proper wound care look like?

Always wash your hands carefully with soap and water before handling any wound. The most important thing for a wound is rest. Abrasion and friction on wounds should be avoided.
Next, the impacted skin area needs to be cleaned. When necessary, the wound should also be properly disinfected. To assist with cleaning, a sterile gauze pad or clean cloth is recommended. Do not attempt to remove foreign objects lodged in the wound (such as pieces of glass) on your own; this should only be handled by qualified medical professionals.
A bandage should be applied once the wound has been cleaned and the bleeding has stopped. Make sure that the bandage is applied without creasing or stretching in order to promote optimal wound protection.

Expert Tip - Why wound dressing?

Even if an accident always happens out of the blue, you should take your time to dress your wound instead of letting it dry. Why? Because this will create optimum conditions for undisturbed and fast healing of your skin.

In every wound the protective function of the skin is impaired. The objective of wound dressings is not only to protect the wound, but also to enable conditions in which healing of the skin can proceed as undisturbed as possible, so that the skin’s healthy structure can be restored.

“A BANDAGE WILL PROTECT YOUR
WOUND AND IMPROVE
THE HEALING PROCESS
OF YOUR SKIN.”

In the treatment of minor everyday injuries, standard first aid dressings and bandages...

  • protect your wound from external influences and prevent contamination and infection.
  • ensure absorption of blood and secretion,
  • reduce pain and mechanical trauma to a minimum during dressing removal and improve your comfort.
Dr. Rainer Wolber, Research & Development, Beiersdorf AG
All the functions of a bandage © Elastoplast
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SOLUTIONS

First choice for first aid: Some products that might help

Finding the right wound dressing has never been so easy: just rely on these Elastoplast products that should be in every First Aid Kit.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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PREVENTION

The Best Scar Prevention: Good Wound Care

The best way to prevent an unsightly scar or reduce its appearance is to do a good job caring for the wound. Use these two steps:
  1. Clean out a fresh cut or scrape properly. Proper cleansing helps prevent infection and promotes the best possible healing. Remove with a dry clean cloth or rinse under water. Irritants such as harsh soaps aren‘t good for cleaning minor wounds. In fact, these substances can actually delay healing.
  2. Keep it covered. Keeping your wound covered with a wound dressing will help it heal undisturbed and protect it by preventing bacteria or dirt from entering and irritating the wound.
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Don‘t pick at scabs. Right after you get a cut or scrape your body starts healing the wound: White blood cells attack infection-causing bacteria. Red blood cells, fibrin, and platelets create a clot over your wound. And in no time, a scab forms. If you pick off the scab, you may not only reopen the wound and introduce bacteria, you could also create a larger scar.

Always see your doctor if the wound is deep, bleeding or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth.

 

Also make sure to seek medical help if you are not able to clean the wound properly. In case you have diabetes, a proper wound care is of special importance. Always discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor and/or podiatrist, even for the care of minor wounds and skin cracks – especially on your feet.

 

Please note that none of the above given tips or recommendations substitute medical advice. Carefully read the instructions for use indicated on the product. Important: consult a health professional in case of any uncertainty of treating your wound properly.

 

The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care or advice. If you have or suspect a health problem, you should consult your doctor. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website.

 

For further information regarding Elastoplast products, please contact us via email on cscanada@beiersdorf.com.

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