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Acute injuries disrupt the body’s balance and can range from small scratches to deep wounds. Symptoms include pain, inflammation, and bleeding. Immediate first aid is crucial, including stopping bleeding and covering the wound. Treatment involves cleaning, debridement, and closure of the wound. Topical and oral medications may be used to aid healing.
An acute injury is any damage sustained to the body, especially the skin, that disrupts the homeostasis or internal balance of the body. Acute wounds appear suddenly but usually don’t last long. Examples of an acute wound are injuries and surgical procedures.
Injuries considered acute could be anything from a small scratch to deep lacerations, surgical incisions, or puncture wounds. The healing time depends on the extent of the tissue damage. For example, a deep puncture wound can damage muscles, nerves, blood vessels, or internal organs in addition to disrupting the integrity of the skin. A severe acute wound can also cause the body to lose a significant amount of blood.
The main symptoms of an acute injury include sudden pain, inflammation including redness and swelling, and bleeding. Normal movement of the area may be impaired and the area around the wound may feel warm to the touch. The first course of action when sustaining an acute wound is to provide immediate first aid. Stopping the blood loss is critical to stabilizing the body.
Applying direct pressure to the open skin area slows or stops the bleeding. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, see a doctor right away. Applying a dressing to cover the acute wound will help manage blood loss while protecting the area from environmental factors such as dirt which can increase the risk of infection.
Uncleaned acute wounds may have a discharge of pus. Pus is a normal part of the body’s defense and healing mechanisms. Form of pus to attack and remove the infection. When pus begins to collect, the body may also develop a fever, another protective method of the body.
Once the immediate health hazards have been addressed, an acute wound needs to be treated. The area must be thoroughly cleaned. With deep cuts, a process called debridement may be required. Debridement removes foreign materials and areas that are damaged, dead, or infected. Pus drainage may also be part of the debridement process. Repair of internal structures, such as muscles or blood vessels, can also be addressed at this stage.
When the acute wound is clean, the skin must be closed to allow it to fuse back into place. This can be done with points. Depending on the extent of the injury, a dressing or cover may be used to prevent further contamination of the affected area. Topical medications can be used to speed the healing of open skin. When fever is present, oral medications may be required to fight the internal infection.
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