SAFETY AND FIRST-AID

SPRAINS AND ANIMAL BITES

SPRAINS AND ANIMAL BITES

• SPRAINS--A sprain is an injury of joints that is caused by being stretched beyond their oversized capacity and possibly more. A muscular tear caused in the same manner is referred to as a strains. 

• ANIMAL BITES-A bite is a wound received from the mouth  of an animal. Animals may bite in self-defense, in an attempt to predate food, as well as part of normal interactions. The mouths of these animals contain germs, saliva that can cause serious disease known as rabies.

A sprain on ankle joint

A animal bite

Symptoms•Swelling•Bruising•Decreased ability to move the limb•If the ligament is ruptured, one may hear a popping sound•Difficulty using the affected extremity

Symptoms•Generalized tissue damage due to tearing and scratching.•Serious bleeding if major blood vessels are pierced.•Infection by bacteria including rabies.•Introduction of toxin into the wound by toxic animals such as some snakes.•Introduction of other irritants into the wound, causing inflammation and itching.

SPRAINS

CAUSES OF SPRAIN• Sprains happen when the foot is rolled or turned beyond motions

that are considered normal for the ankle. An ankle sprain usually occurs when a person lands from jumping or running onto an uneven surface. If the ankle is placed into an abnormal position at the same time, overstretching of the ligaments can occur. The ligaments of the ankle hold the ankle bones and joint in position, and therefore help to stabilize the ankle joint. They protect the ankle joint from abnormal movements-especially twisting, turning, and rolling of the foot.

• The risk of an ankle sprain is greatest during activities that involve explosive side-to-side motion, such as tennis or basketball, but you can also sprain your ankle during normal daily activities such as stepping off a curb or slipping on ice. If you return to sport or activity before the ligaments have fully healed, they may heal in a stretched position, resulting in less stability at the ankle joint.

QUICK ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN ON SPRAINS

• Rest: The sprain should be rested. No additional force should be applied on site of the sprain

• Ice: Ice  should  be  applied  immediately  to  the  sprain  to  reduce swelling and pain for 10-15 minutes at a time 3-4 times a day. 

• Compression: Dressings, bandages, or ace-wraps should be used to  immobilize  the  sprain  and  provide  support. When wrapping the injury, more pressure should be applied at the far end of the injury and decrease in the direction of the heart, the reason for this is that it causes unnecessary fluid to be flushed back up the blood stream easier in order to be recycled. 

• Elevate: Keeping  the  sprained  joint  elevated  (in  relation  to  the rest of the body) will also help to minimize swelling.

ANIMAL BITES

INSECTS BITES• Insect bites and stings occur when an insect is nervous and seeks to defend itself through its natural defense mechanisms, or when an insect seeks to feed off the bitten person. Some insects inject formic acid, which can cause an immediate skin reaction often resulting in redness and swelling in the injured area. The sting from fire ants, bees, wasps and hornets are usually painful Bites from mosquitoes and fleas are more likely to cause itching than pain.

A BEE BITEA MOSQUITO BITE

The reaction to a sting is of three types. The normal reaction involves the area around the bite with redness, itchiness, and pain. A large local reaction occur when the area of swelling is greater than 5 cm. Systemic reactions are when symptoms occur in areas besides that of the bites.[

SNAKE BITESA snakebite is an injury caused by a bite from a snake, often resulting in puncture wounds inflicted by the animal's fangs and sometimes resulting in envenomation.

QUICK ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN ON ANIMAL

BITES• Bite wounds are washed, ideally with povidone-iodine soap and water. The injury is then loosely bandaged, but is not sutured due to risk of infection.

THANK YOU