Cuts and scrapes
Cuts and scrapes are injuries that break the outer protective layer of skin.
A cut occurs when the skin is pierced or sliced; a scrape, when the skin is
visibly abraded or roughed up.
A cut results from an encounter with a sharp implement, such as a knife,
a razor blade, the edge of a piece of paper, or a jagged piece of glass or
metal. When the skin is penetrated by an instrument with a sharp point
such as a pin, nail, or pencil point, however, it causes a puncture wound.
And a scrape occurs when the skin is literally rubbed away by a rough
surface such as pebbles or a concrete pavement.
Supplements and herbs
Many topical supplements can ease pain, promote healing, prevent
infection, and reduce the risk of scarring. They should be used only for minor
cuts and scrapes after washing with soap and water. Gaping wounds that
won't close or injuries that become infected require medical attention.
After stopping any bleeding and thoroughly
cleaning the wound, apply lavender oil to the fresh cut or
scrape to kill germs and to help it heal. Tea tree oil
can be used instead as it helps halt infection and
minimizes scarring as well. Or use Echinacea,
marigold, or myrrh tincture (dilute them in a little
water first). Another option is comfrey ointment,
which also may quicken the healing process.
Once you've completed these first-aid
measures, bandage the wound. Change the
bandage three or four times a day, and spread either soothing
aloe vera
gel or calendula cream on the wound each time to relieve or limit
inflammation, stop infection, and speed healing.
Take the remaining oral supplements together for five days after the
injury. Vitamin A and topical
vitamin E inhibit inflammation and
accelerate healing. Bromelain, an enzyme derived from
pineapples, may have
beneficial effects; and teas made with the herbs Echinacea and
goldenseal boost immunity and decrease the risk of infection.
Homeopathy
For all the remedies, a 6, 12 or 30c potency is suitable. Depending on
severity, remedies can be taken anywhere from hourly, to once or twice
daily. In very severe trauma, a dose of Arnica every 15 minutes for the
first hour or more will work wonders. For injuries in the remote past,
Arnica, Hypericum or Bellis can be taken in a 200c or I M strength once per week
for 4 to 6 weeks. In fracture Arnica is used first, for one or two weeks, once
or twice daily, alternated with Ledum after 48 hours to help with internal
and external bruising. Symphytum used daily in low potency or once
weekly in the 200th greatly accelerates bone healing. Hypericum should also
be used if there has been nerve injury. For bleeding or wounds, Calendula
or Hypericum tincture, diluted with water in a ratio of 1:5, has dramatic
healing effects. Externally applied Arnica tincture or cream is excellent
for bruises or sore muscles, as long as the skin in not broken.
- Aconitum
Shock and fear immediately after injury, bruises, burns,
sprains, fractures.
Sensitive wounds, local inflammation, pain,
fever after injury or surgery.
High fevers with hot, dry skin. Injury to eye, retina; foreign body in eye.
Fear of immanent death, crowds, crossing the street. Restless, startled.
- Arnica
First use for trauma, shock. Muscular strains, charley horse, overexertion.
Sore, bruised sensation all over, as if beaten. Parts lain on are painful.
Head hot, body and limbs cold. Bruising, external or internal
bleeding.
Fear, nightmares or "flashbacks" after injury. Denies severity of injury.
Exhausted, weak and restless. External use for bruises. Worse: touch,
jarring, motion, night, damp. Better: cold compresses, lying with head low.
- Bellis
Trauma to deep tissue or to the abdomen, legs, spine, pelvis or to
breasts, uterus or internal organs. Main remedy after major surgery.
Recurring injury; repetitive strains, constant standing, straining, carrying.
Swelling remaining after Arnica. Intense soreness, aching, much bruising.
Exhausted with wish to lie down. Wake at 3 a.m. and can't sleep again.
Worse: touch, chilling, heat, rest. Better: cold compress, gentle motion.
- Bryonia
Injuries, dislocations, falls, bruises. Pain from fracture, joint sprains.
Swelling, heat, redness, intense thirst, coated tongue. Irritability, worry.
Inflammation after injury, i.e. synovitis, bursitis. Stitching, cutting pains.
Hot face and head, cold body. Splitting headache or
nausea after injury.
Worse: slightest motion, touch. Better: rest, heat, pressure, open air.
- Calendula
External use (tincture) in wounds, scrapes, cuts, bleeding, muscle pulls.
Stops bleeding from wounds, especially scalp, mouth. Inflamed wounds.
Rapid healing of wounds, seals the edges, prevents scars. Jagged wounds.
Excessively painful, pricking pain. Pain worse from pressure of bandage.
Prevents infection or for infected wounds, abscess, ulcerations,
gangrene.
- Hypericum
Injury to nerves or nerve-rich tissues; Neuralgia after injury, wounds, cuts,
surgery, dental work. Trembling, twitching, crawling,
numbness, burning.
Blows or injuries to the head, spine, tailbone, tips of fingers or toes.
Excessively tender, sore wounds. Pains shoot upwards from the injury.
Externally: for burns, open cuts, tendency to infection, stops bleeding.
Nerve injury after fracture. Accelerates regrowth of damaged nerves.
Worse: cold, weather changes, least touch, motion, jar. Better: rubbing.
- Ledum
Bruises or black eye. Swollen, tender, purple tissues after injury, sprains,
cuts, fracture. Injured part feels cold to the touch. Pains travel upwards.
Puncture wounds from insects, bites, nails, etc. Never well since a fall.
Worse: heat, slight pressure, motion. Better cold applications, rest.
- Rhus tox
Tearing of ligaments; joint sprains, both acute or chronic. Dislocation.
Over lifting, overstraining, overexertion. Inflammation at site of injury.
Stiffness. Restlessness due to pain. Arthritic tendency after injury.
Worse: first motion after rest, damp, cold. Better: limbering up, heat.
- Staphysagria
Injuries or wounds from sharp instruments-cuts, surgery, dental work,
compound fracture (sharp bone). Overstretching of tissues (childbirth).
Injuries to jaw, abdomen, genitals, groin area; episiotomy. Concussion.
Stitching pain, soreness. Sense of humiliation, abuse, insult with anger.
Worse: touch, motion. Better: warmth, pressure, leaning on something.
What else you can do
- Stop any bleeding by applying steady pressure to the wound for a few
minutes with a clean tissue or cloth. If the injury is a puncture wound, let
it bleed for several minutes first to help flush out any embedded germs.
- Thoroughly clean the skin around the cut or scrape. Bandage the
wound, especially if it's in an area likely to get dirty, such as a finger or
knee. Antibiotics are not necessary unless signs of infection appear.
How much to take
-
- Lavender oil
- Apply 1 or 2 drops of oil to wound after cleansing.
Dab directly on any superficial wound.
- Aloe vera gel
- Apply gel liberally to wound 3 or 4 times a day.
Use fresh aloe leaf or store-bought gel.
- Vitamin A
- 25,000 IU twice a day for 5 days.
Women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy
should not exceed 5,000 IU a day.
- Vitamin E
- 400 IU capsule topically.
Break open capsule and apply directly to cut.
- Tea tree oil
- Apply 1 or 2 drops of oil to wound after cleansing.
Can be used in place of lavender oil.
- Echinacea
- Add 3 drops tincture to 1 tsp water; apply to wound.
A substitute for
tea tree oil. In addition, drink 1 cup of
Echinacea-goldenseal tea 3 times a day until wound heals.
- Calendula cream
- Apply cream to wound 3 times a day in place of aloe.
Goldenseal cream or a combination of calendula and
goldenseal is also effective; available at health-food stores.
- Bromelain
- 500 mg 3 times a day on an empty stomach, for 5 days.
Eliminate if no beneficial effects noted after 2 weeks.
For kids
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