Injuries such as skin flaps can happen at any time. They are generally painful which is why it’s imperative to learn first aid for treating skin flaps in due time. This way, you’ll be in a much better position to manage the situation and thus recover from it quickly. Skin flaps are normally characterized by torn off skin. Expect oozing of blood as well. Read on for important tips that will help in administering first aid to a victim of this type of injury.
Sterilize Environment
Skin flaps, just like any other wounds, are prone to infection. The first thing to do on that note is to wash your hands thoroughly with soapy water. Dry your hands using a clean, soft towel. Before handling wounds, wear latex gloves as this will protect exposure to bodily fluids and blood. This is crucial in preventing possible spread of infections.
Keep the Skin Flaps
When treating skin flaps, it’s important to get the piece of skin that was torn off. Make sure that it is washed and placed in a plastic bag if possible. Carry the piece of skin with you when taking the patient to the hospital.
Retain Torn Skin
In case the skin is not completely torn off, return it to its normal position and hold it in place. You can use a solution of saline to dampen the wounds so that the skin can hold with ease. Before returning the skin flap to its position, make sure that all foreign objects like debris are removed. These objects can actually worsen the situation by multiplying infection.
Apply Pressure
Profuse bleeding can happen when washing the wound. You can create a clot by applying pressure on the affected area. Do not apply excess pressure as this will hinder your efforts of treating skin flaps successfully. If you’re the victim and the wound is in a difficult to reach place, have someone else perform the procedure.
Bandage Wound
It’s prudent to cover the wound with a bandage before taking the patient to the hospital. The bandage will protect the wound and prevent further injury from occurring. After cleaning the wound, use narrow bandage strips to keep the torn skin in the proper place. When treating skin flaps, leave spaces between strips as this enhances breathing while providing an outlet for drainage.
Use Cotton Dressing
There are numerous types of bandages but the best to use for such a wound is cotton. This is a breathable material that is quite effective in absorbing drainage. When treating skin flaps, you can use plenty of cotton dressing for the wounds because the bandage does not cause dark moisture. This is usually the case with other types of bandages.
Watch the Wound
After completing the first aid process, make sure that you watch the wound while taking the patient to the doctor. Infection can easily occur and cause further injury on the way. In case the wound starts bleeding again, open the dressing, apply pressure to stop bleeding and use clean dressing to cover the wound again.