Our skin is an important part of our body since it protects us against injuries and prevents infections, yet for most of us our natural reaction to a minor skin injury is to throw a bandage on the affected area and consider it as no big deal. But that no big deal could very well end up becoming a serious problem if we’re not careful. Proper first aid care is essential in preventing a minor and especially serious, skin injury from becoming even worse.

Burns, insect bites, stings, cuts and scrapes are some of the more common skin injuries we have been faced with at one time or another.

There are three degrees of burns: First-degree, second-degree and third-degree burns. First-degree burns are minor and only the outer layer of skin is affected. Usually the skin has a reddish color and sometimes pain where the burn has occurred. To treat a first-degree burn, run the affected are under cold water and apply an aloe vera gel to sooth any pain.

Second-degree burns occur when the first two layers of skin are burned. The skin will be a darkish red and blisters will become present followed by severe pain and swelling. Second-degree burns can be treated at home if the affected area is no larger than 3 inches in diameter. If it is larger than 3 inches, you should seek a medical professional.

For burns that can be treated at home, run the affected area under cold water to reduce swelling and pain. Wrap the burn in a gauze bandage to protect the blistered skin. Do not attempt to pop the blisters as this could cause infection.

Third-degree burns require immediate medical attention since all of the layers of skin are affected and the skin could be charred black. Before medical help arrives, cover the area lightly with a cool moist cloth or bandage to prevent further damage or infection to the wound. Don’t apply pressure to the bandage and don’t remove anything stuck to the wound such as clothing or jewelry.

If you’ve ever been stung by an insect you know how painful it can be. If you haven’t, count yourself lucky. For bee stings, remove the stinger if it is still present with a pair of tweezers. Next apply a cold compress to the area to reduce any swelling and pain. If you know you are allergic to bees, get to a medical professional immediately.

Summer is known for tick bites and illnesses from those ticks if we’re not careful. To remove a tick that is embedded into your skin, begin by using a pair of tweezers to pry the tick out. This method however should be used with caution since often times the entire tick is not removed. If this happens seek medical advice to remove any of the remaining tick. If however you are successful at removing the tick, dispose of it by burning the tick with a match or lighter and apply an antiseptic to your skin to prevent infection. If after removing the tick you begin to experience a large amount of redness around the affected area and flu-like symptoms, seek medical attention, as this is usually a sign of rocky mountain fever.

Cuts and scrapes are a very common skin injury and probably one of the most ignored when it comes to first aid treatment. Rinse the cut or scrape with cool water and pat the area dry with a sterile cloth. Apply an antiseptic to the area and cover with a bandage. For deep cuts you should rinse the area with cool water, apply pressure with a sterile cloth to stop the bleeding and seek medical assistance since more than likely your wound will require stitches.

While usually only common in the winter months, it is very important that you know what to do if you are exposed to frostbite. Frostbite occurs when the skin and tissues underneath are exposed to extreme cold and the affected areas are frozen. Severe frostbite can result in gangrene and even loss of the affected area. If you begin to experience numbness that doesn’t go away after it is exposed to warmth, you should seek medical care immediately. Hard, pale and cold skin is usually a sign of minor frostbite. Usually areas such as fingers, toes, ears and nose are the first areas to be exposed. To treat minor frostbite, get into a warm place until the areas thaw. When this happens the areas tend to become red and painful. For immediate relief of frostbite, a warm bath or shower can be helpful.

Now that you have a good idea of administering first aid treatment, it’s very helpful to keep a first aid kit on hand for easy access. You can purchase first aid kits at your local drug store or you can make your own. For a personalized first aid kit you should include adhesive bandages, scissors, tweezers, antiseptic ointment, pain reliever, alcohol pads and instant ice packs at the least. After you’ve included those items you can add anything you’d find useful in your first aid kit. Finally, please remember if you are unsure of the severity of your skin injury or the affected area worsens; seek a medical care professional immediately since some injuries can very well be a matter of life and death.

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