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There are basically 5 different types of skin injuries:
Abrasion
The uppermost layer of skin is abraded, leading to the release of tissue fluid. The abrasion hurts, burns and, in the case of deep injuries, the wound bleeds. During treatment, the wound is cleaned (no cotton wool, otherwise fibres will stick to the wound), then disinfected and covered with an air-permeable dressing if there is heavy bleeding.
Blister
Constant mechanical irritation of the skin (e.g. from footwear or sports equipment) leads to the detachment of the top layer of skin. An accumulation of tissue fluid forms in between. The irritated skin area hurts and burns. This can result in the formation of blisters and slight swelling. Treatment is carried out in stages by first disinfecting the blister, puncturing it with a sterile needle (do not remove the skin as it serves as protection), disinfecting it again before covering it and padding it if necessary.
Tear, crush and cut wounds
This refers to a severing of the skin, whereby areas above the bone are particularly at risk (e.g. shinbone, eyebrow). The wound bleeds, hurts and the edges of the wound gape apart. Small wounds should be disinfected and dressed (if necessary, the edges of the wound should be levelled with a special sterile adhesive plaster). If the wound is larger, a doctor should be consulted, as stitches can only be applied within 6 hours of the injury. In the case of bite wounds, a doctor should always be consulted due to the risk of infection.
Burns
The skin is damaged by high heat (e.g. open fire, heated object, hot liquid or sun). A distinction is made between three degrees of severity (1st degree: reddening = superficial burn; 2nd degree: partial destruction of the skin with blistering; 3rd degree: destruction of the entire skin including the skin appendages). For each degree of severity, the first measure is immediate cooling for at least 15 minutes (do not remove clothing, immerse the affected area in water or take a cold shower). After cooling, the wound is covered with a clean bandage. If the burn is extensive (larger than half the palm of your hand) or if it is a third-degree burn, you must always consult a doctor.
Cold damage
There are three types of cold injury, not all of which result in injury to the skin due to frostbite, which primarily affects the skin but is mentioned here:
Subcooling
General hypothermia is characterised by shivering, fatigue, indifference, loss of consciousness, unconsciousness, respiratory and circulatory arrest. In mild cases of generalised hypothermia (= preserved consciousness), it is sufficient to warm the patient with hot, sugared drinks, active exercise and cold protection measures. In severe cases of hypothermia (= drowsiness and/or unconsciousness), it is necessary to monitor the patient's breathing and pulse and, if necessary, provide artificial respiration in addition to cold protection measures.Local frostbite
This refers to cold damage that is visible on the skin. Redness, pale discolouration and blisters are the visible symptoms of frostbite, while pain, numbness and hardness are the tangible symptoms. A frostbitten part of the body should be placed against a warm part of the body, actively moved (but no walking on a frostbitten limb) or placed in a lukewarm water bath. Blisters should not be punctured.Snow blindness
Sun protection not only affects the skin, but also the eyes. Symptoms of snow blindness include tearing, pain, eyelid spasm and a foreign body sensation in the eyes. For treatment, you should go to a dark room or cover your eyes with an eye bandage (handkerchief). An eye bath with milk or black tea can also help.