Accidents in sport: 3 first aid you need to know

First aid in sport is mainly related to muscle injuries, wounds and fractures. Know how to act in these situations and what to do so that the condition does not worsen, as in cases of fractures, for example, unnecessary movement can worsen the degree of injury to the bone.

Another recurring situation during sports is the appearance of cramps, which are involuntary contractions of muscles that can occur in the legs, arms or feet. Cramps can happen due to dehydration or muscle fatigue, for example, but they are easily treated with stretching and rest. See which exercises done at home help eliminate cramps.

1. Muscle injury

First aid for muscle injuries in sports helps reduce pain and helps the person not need to take time away from practice for a long time. However, muscle injuries are divided into categories, such as strains, bruises, dislocations, sprains and sprains. All of these injuries damage the muscle to some extent and, in certain cases, it is necessary for a doctor to assess the degree of the injury, but in most cases recovery is not long and leaves no consequences.

First aid for muscle injury includes:

• Sit or lay the person down;
• Place the injured part in the most comfortable position. If it is a leg or an arm, you can lift the limb;
• Apply a cold compress to the injury for a maximum of 15 minutes;
• Firmly wrap the affected area with bandages.

In certain cases in sports, when muscle injuries occur, muscles can become inflamed, strained or torn. It is recommended to see a doctor if the pain continues for more than 3 days.

Here are other ways to relieve muscle pain at home.

2. Injuries

Skin injuries are one of the most common in sports, and are divided into two types: closed skin injuries and open skin injuries.

In closed skin wounds, the skin color changes to red, which in a few hours can darken to purplish spots. In these cases it is indicated:

• Apply cold compresses to the area for 15 minutes, twice a day;
• Immobilize the affected region.

In cases of open skin lesions, more care is recommended, as there is a risk of infections due to skin breakdown and bleeding. In these cases you must:

• Wash the wound and the surrounding skin with soap and water;
• Place an antiseptic solution such as Curativ or Povidone on the wound and around it;
• Apply a sterile gauze pad or band-aid until the wound heals.

If the wound continues to hurt, swell or is very hot, see a doctor. Check out the 5 steps to heal a wound faster.

If you are punctured with a pen, piece of iron, wood or any other object, you should not remove them, due to the risk of bleeding.

3. Fractures

A fracture is a break or crack in a bone, which can be open, when the skin is torn, or internal, when the bone breaks but the skin does not tear. This type of accident causes pain, swelling, abnormal movement, limb instability or even deformity, therefore, the victim should not be picked up and it is very important to wait for the ambulance so that the victim receives medical care as quickly as possible.

Some signs that help identify a fracture are:

• Intense localized pain;
• Total loss of mobility in the limb;
• Presence of deformation in the skin in the region;
• Exposure of the bone through the skin;
• Change in skin color.

If a fracture is suspected, it is recommended:

• Immediately call an ambulance by calling 192;
• Do not apply any pressure to the fracture area;
• In case of an open fracture, wash with saline solution;
• Do not make unnecessary movements on the limb;
• Immobilize the fractured part while waiting for the ambulance.

Typically, treatment for fractures, whether open or closed, is done by total immobilization of the fractured limb. The treatment period is long, in some cases it can last up to 90 days. Find out what the recovery process from a fracture is like.