While you hopefully never have to experience the types of discovery methods in Illinois injury cases, some accidents require it. Before that can happen, though, you need to seek medical attention and treat your injuries.
While some wounds can easily be treated at any time, like bruises or cuts, others need to be treated immediately, whether they are as obvious as a broken bone or as subtle as a minor allergic reaction. You’ll find some information on a few of these below as well as how you need to react so you’re prepared if you or someone near you ever experiences one of the following problems.
Allergies
Allergies can sometimes be difficult to identify and treat because your reaction will either be so minor that it’s easy to mistake it for something else, so strange that it takes you a while to pinpoint what it even is, or so deadly that you are immediately rushed to the hospital. Each also has its own solution.
Allergens that cause you to go into anaphylactic shock need to be avoided at all costs and require people with such severe allergies to carry EpiPens at all times. More minor ones are a bit touch-and-go, though. While it’s best to avoid the allergen most of the time, some may be able to risk small amounts of, say, a specific type of food before their bodies will react.
While it may not be wise to take this risk, many do because their allergy is so stifling or frustrating otherwise. Some people are affected by seasonal allergies that leave them miserable at certain times of the year. The only thing these people can do is take antihistamines and hope that they help.
No matter what the allergy is, it needs to be treated as soon as it’s discovered. If your symptoms have seemingly no clear cause, then consider taking an allergy test. While uncomfortable, it will reveal not only what you’re allergic to exactly but might even help you know exactly what your limit is. If you have rough seasonal allergies and can’t find an over-the-counter solution, talk to your doctor about it; they may know of another medicine or home remedy to try.
Burns
If you get burnt, you’ve likely already done the first step: stop getting burnt. This usually means that you stop touching a hot object, though dousing fires may be necessary in extreme cases. Then take off anything too close to the burn that isn’t stuck to it and get it under lukewarm water for a few minutes. Do not use cold water, or you could damage the area further. From here, the treatment differs.
Most of the time, simply taking some anti-pain medication and keeping it cool is all that needs to be done; it will heal itself over time. Sometimes, burns will blister, and these require extra care based on where the burn is and whether or not the blister pops. Burns that are large, deep, caused by chemicals, on sensitive areas or that cause other symptoms need to be treated at the hospital.
Dehydration
Many of the symptoms of minor dehydration might be able to be confused with another condition. For example, if you get dizzy when you stand up but have sinus pressure, you may say that it’s the cause rather than dehydration.
Dry mouth and thirst can be caused by dry weather. Headaches have a myriad of causes, and discolored urine can be caused by urinary tract infections. On their own, each symptom could mean a lot of different things. Together, though, they point to dehydration.
If you believe that you’re mildly dehydrated, then take more, smaller drinks of water than usual. You need to be careful, though, because it’s possible to swing too far into the other direction and become overly hydrated, which is a bit harder to cure. If you start to feel better and notice the color of your urine lighten, then you can back off the extra drinks a bit.
If you are pale, have sunken eyes, have cold hands and feet when you shouldn’t, have a high heart rate and have low blood pressure alongside many of the other symptoms of severe dehydration, then get to a hospital quickly. They will not only give your body the fluids it needs quickly and safely, but they’ll also work to find what’s making you so dehydrated.
Broken Bones
Broken bones always need to be seen by a doctor because they could heal incorrectly without their direction. Many minor fractures only require a splint or cast, as much rest as they can get, and time. Larger, more severe fractures or full-blown breaks may require surgery or even metal rods to heal correctly.
Doctors will use X-rays, MRIs and any other imaging equipment that they deem necessary to see the extent of the break and determine exactly what needs to be done. They’ll tell you exactly what needs to happen. Follow your doctor’s instructions, or your bone may break further and heal incorrectly.
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are treated similarly but have very different causes. Sprains are when the muscles that connect two of your bones together are injured while a strain affects the muscles that connect another muscle to your bones.
Both conditions will cause pain, swelling, redness, bruising and limited motion in the affected area. Because of the swelling, use a cold compress alongside rest and elevation to treat either injury. If the pain is too great, or if the area is tingly or numb.
Most of the time, all a doctor will do is have you undergo MRI scans and X-rays to see exactly what’s damaged and how bad it is before they recommend bed rest, ice, splints and gentle at-home physical therapy where you slowly start to use the wounded area.
If there is damage to the bone or the tendon is too torn, you may need to undergo surgery or be put into a cast for a while. Your doctor will advise you on what to do in these cases.
