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Animal and insect bites and stings are relatively common minor injuries. Usually, they will heal on their own and will not cause serious or permanent damage, but they can be serious and it is important to know appropriate first aid measures.

What are the possible complications of bites and stings?

Many animal bites result in puncture wounds – deep wounds that penetrate the tissue underneath the skin and cause internal damage. The germs from the animal’s mouth can then be carried deep into the wound and may cause serious infections.

The adder is the only poisonous snake in the UK, and although the venom can be fatal, the number of recorded deaths is very small indeed.

There is one serious complication of insect stings. A small percentage of people can develop a life- threatening allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock, where airways become swollen and reduce the air getting to the lungs. The symptoms of anaphylactic shock are red, blotchy skin with raised areas, swelling of the face and neck, puffiness around the eyes, wheezing and difficulty breathing, rapid pulse and loss of consciousness. Anaphylactic shock is a very serious condition and requires immediate hospital treatment.

What should I do if someone has been bitten or stung?

First, assess the seriousness of the bite or sting.

Serious bites and stings

If the bite is large and/or bleeding heavily, take the person to the nearest GP or hospital, or call 999 for an ambulance

If the person has been stung in the mouth, give them ice to suck on and phone 999 for an ambulance

If you suspect the person is going into anaphylactic shock, call for an ambulance immediately. Check the person’s ABC (see box bellow) and if necessary (and you are trained to do so), perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation

You should be aware that coming into contact with blood and body fluids may expose you to infections such as hepatitis B and C, and HIV. If the bite is bleeding, do not touch it with your bare hands. Ideally, put on a pair of disposable, preferably sterile gloves: if you do not have a first aid box to hand or you do not have disposable gloves, use another type of barrier, such as a thickly folded dish towel or clean handkerchief, and wash you hands thoroughly before and after touching the person.

Minor animal bites

Wash the wound with warm water and soap, if possible

Pat the wound dry, and cover it with a plaster or small dressing, or any piece of clean, non-textured cloth that you have to hand

If the person has been bitten by an animal, check with its owners about current immunisations. The person who has been bitten should see their doctor about a tetanus immunisation. Afterwards, keep an eye on the wound for signs of infection (redness, swelling and heat concentrated at the site of the wound).

If the person has been bitten by a snake, keep the wounded area below the level of the heart and do not allow the person to walk around, as this will spread the venom through the body. If you can, immobilise the injured area using strips of cloth and padding tied into a splint. Call an ambulance.

Minor insect bites and stings

Bites from insects such as mosquitoes, fleas or flies usually do not require medical attention. Even stings from bees, wasps or hornets, although painful and frightening, are not usually serious.

If the stinger it still there, remove it by scraping a credit card over the surface; do not try to remove it with tweezers – you may squeeze more venom out of the venom sac into the wound

Apply a cold compress (any clean cloth soaked in cold water will do) to reduce the pain and swelling

A paste of baking soda mixed with water can help to relieve the pain.

If the pain and swelling do not go away, or if it gets worse over the next day or two, the person should see a doctor

As mentioned above, if you suspect the person is having an allergic reaction to a sting (anaphylactic shock) you must phone for an ambulance immediately.

What can I do to prevent bites and stings?

There are several measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of being bitten or stung:

Do not approach wild animals, especially if they seem injured

Avoid strange cats and dogs

Do not wear strong perfume, which will attract bees and wasps

Use an insect repellent

Take care when eating and drinking: bees and wasps are attracted to sweet, sugary foods. Take particular care when drinking from cans of soft drink: always use a straw or pour the drink into a cup or glass

If you come across a wasp or bees’ nest, do not disturb it

Avoid dense forested areas in hot weather and in the height of summer.

Take a walking stick if you intend to walk through long grass or undergrowth: your stick will disturb a snake or other biting animal before you do

Wear protective clothing: long socks and long-sleeved garments will provide protection from bites and stings

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The prickly ash plant is a tall shrub that is often described as a small tree. It can usually be found growing up to a height of twenty feet. The shrub can be distinguished by its barbed stalks and branches. The leaves of this plant are covered with fine hair-like material when they are young. As the leaves mature, they become smooth and develop spots of resins on the outer surface. When crushed, the leaves give out a fragrance that is similar to that of the lemon. The shrub is responsible for bearing green colored flowers. These appear in bunches on old wood before the leaves. Reddish-brown casings can be found on the wood, which house black seeds that are spicy to taste. The prickly ash shrub can be found in the region that ranges from Canada to Virginia and Nebraska.

The Native American tribes used prickly ash for toothaches and infection. Subsequently, it appeared in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1829 to 1926. It was also found in the National Formulary from 1916 to 1947 as a treatment for rheumatism. This herb was often used in the South during cholera and typhus epidemics. There, it was able to produce positive results. Prickly ash is often used in combination with a variety of other herbs.

Samuel Thomson, a nineteenth-century herbalist, considered prickly ash to be a valuable natural stimulant. It helps with problems such as rheumatism, cold hands and feet, ague, and fever. This herb is responsible for stimulating circulation, which is essential for a healthy body. Prickly ash can also help circulation that is impaired. This is the case in cold extremities and joints. Additionally, this herb can help with arthritis and lethargy because of its stimulant action and because it shows promise as way to enhance the immune system and relieve exhaustion.

Prickly ash can be used as a poultice to help speed up the healing of wounds and preventing infection. Also, it helps increase the production of saliva. This helps to eliminate mouth dryness. The bitter and sweet qualities of this herb are responsible for helping to heal deficiencies in the heart, lungs, spleen, and intestine. These qualities also help to strengthen them. As an example, prickly ash has been used to treat ulcers, asthma, and colic. Prickly ash is also used to aid digestion. Additionally, it helps in relieving feminine problems such as premenstrual cramps. This herb also is used to treat skin diseases.

The bark and berries of the prickly ash plant are used to provide alterative, anthelmintic, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, astringent, blood purifier, sialagogue, and stimulant properties. Primarily, prickly ash is extremely beneficial in dealing with poor circulation, fevers, paralysis, mouth sores, ulcers, and wounds. Additionally, this herb is very helpful in treating ague, arthritis, asthma, blood impurities, cholera, colic, uterine cramps, diarrhea, edema, gas, gastric disorders, indigestion, lethargy, liver disorders, rheumatism, primary tuberculosis, skin diseases, syphilis, thyroid problems, and typhus.

In order to obtain the best results when supplementing with this, or any herb, it is important to consult your health care provider before beginning any regimen while on prescription medications. For more information on the many beneficial effects provided by prickly ash, please feel free to consult a representative from your local health food store with questions.

More information on prickly ash is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/boost-your-health-with-prickly-ash-1347871.html

Puncture wound treatment is not only easy, but also highly efficient, when you use homeopathic medicines.

If fact, you’re already half way to finding how to best resolve this, by your observation that it is a puncture wound that needs treatment.

A puncture wound can be any wound that has been created by the penetration of the skin by a thin, pointed object. So a shard of glass, a metal shard, an insect bite, any bite from a carnivore (their teeth are sharp and pointed, as opposed to say, a bite from a human or horse, whose teeth are more blunt), a snake bite, an infected needle or a vaccine.

And it doesn’t matter if the bite is a simply a bite, if it is from a poisonous spider, even a deadly snake or an infected needle. As far as the homeopathic treatment of the puncture wound is concerned, they are all the same. You may simply need an additional medicine to counter the shock, and more doses of the appropriate medicine.

You also need to be aware that puncture wound treatment is treated differently according to its age. If it has only just occurred, then you may find that the homeopathic medicine Ledum is the most appropriate for you. You will know quickly, because after just a few doses you will feel relief from the symptoms. Whatever that it – pain, swelling, redness, itch.

However, if it was some time ago, then you may not be able to treat it yourself. Chronic, or established, conditions tend to be quite complicated and so the treatment will be, too.

For instance a vaccine can causes many chronic conditions years after the vaccine itself. Homeopaths have always known this, right from the birth of vaccination.

The best puncture wound treatment is twofold. Immediate and effective treatment should prevent any chronic sequelae developing. But the type of treatment selected needs to stimulate your immune system into action, rather than the more common suppression of your symptoms.

There are various homeopathic medicines which can help resolve puncture wounds quickly and efficiently, by doing just that – supporting your immune system.

Do you want to learn more about natural good health, in particular homeopathy? Download my free report ‘An Introduction to Some Common Homeopathic Remedies’ by clicking on the website link below.
Good Health Naturally
http://twolegsandfour.com
Madeleine Innocent is a full time consultant homeopath and homeopathic coach.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/puncture-wound-treatment-is-best-dealt-with-using-homeopathic-medicines-1746748.html

Any wound dressing is normally considered essential to promote healing. It is felt that the wound must be shielded from the risk of infection.

But in reality, this may not be necessary.

Healing is all about how healthy your immune system is. If it isn’t very healthy, then it’s likely that you will not be very effective at any healing. You may get a fever or an infection.

Those with a healthy immune system rarely get sick. Their immunity works so quickly, they don’t notice any problem. Wounds heal fast and rarely give trouble.

Wounds are also best left exposed to the open air. They are normally covered over with some wound dressing, to prevent infection. But if your immune system is in good shape, you won’t get an infection.

If your immune system is not so healthy, then you can stimulate it to prevent infection.

By using a homeopathic medicine which has strong properties of wound healing, and you experience benefit from taking it, then you can rest easy that all will be well.

Let me give you an example.

Some years ago, my mare had a fight with a fence. She came off worst. She tore the flesh around a back joint, to the extent I could see the bone. A little spurt of arterial blood shot heavenwards.

She only received homeopathic treatment. I treated her with the medicines internally, to stimulate her immune system into healing. And I sprayed diluted herbal tinctures, topically, on the wound to promote healing.

At no time did I consider the use of a wound dressing, even though she was lying down a lot, and getting soil into the wound. I knew her treatment would resolve the problem. And it did.

There is no residue of lameness, no residue of any problem related to muscle, tendon or ligament damage. Just a small scar is left.

One of the medicines she received both topically and orally, was Calendula. This is a remarkable homeopathic medicine with strong healing properties for any wound. It can promote healing, prevent infection, promote healthy granulations and resolve pain. Not one I would consider being without.

Written by Madeleine Innocent.
Do you want to learn more about natural health, in particular homeopathy? Check out my free ebook ‘An Introduction to Some Common Homeopathic Remedies’, by clicking on the website link below.
Good Health Naturally
http://twolegsandfour.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/wound-dressing-may-not-be-necessary-1654918.html

Wound healing is all about how healthy you are. If your immune system is not at its peak in performance, it’s likely that you will have a problem in healing any ailment, including any wounds.

It may be that you have all the signs and symptoms of a wound not healing. Symptoms such as:

• pain
• infection
• offensive odour
• no sign of healing
• swelling

Or you may just have one or two signs. If your wound is not healing , then eventually the problem may become systemic and you may start to get a fever, malaise and a general feeling of not being right.

The best way to stimulate your body into action is to stimulate your immune system with an appropriate medicine which will start the healing process.

Homeopathy works by stimulating your immune system so that you can cure you. But you need to know which medicine is best for your condition. So make a short list of all the major and minor symptoms of the wound.

Then try to match them to an appropriate homeopathic medicine.

When you can do that, the medicine is likely to be beneficial for you.

The homeopathic medicine Calendula is a medicine known for its wound healing properties. Used topically (with a diluted solution of the tincture), it will promote healing.

Taken orally, in potency, it will stimulate your immune system.

This medicine has a particular focus on lacerated wounds – such as surgery wounds, caesar scars, episiotomy pains, knife wounds, etc. It also has a sensation, at the wound, of great chilliness.

It’s best to leave a wound open to the air, as this increases the healing  Wounds are normally covered up for fear of infection. If Calendula is working well for you, then the risk of infection is negligible.

Calendula has such a broad affinity for any and all wound healing, it’s unlikely not to work for your wound.

Written by Madeleine Innocent.
Do you want to learn more about natural health, in particular homeopathy? Check out my free ebook ‘An Introduction to Some Common Homeopathic Remedies’, by clicking on the website link below.
Good Health Naturally
http://twolegsandfour.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/the-best-system-of-wound-healing-is-homeopathic-1654924.html

Even with the best wound treatment, wounds don’t always seem to heal. Your wound may be painful, it may get infected easily, it may swell, it may show no sign of healing at all. And some treatments can be worse than the wound itself.

Healing basically comes down to what condition your immune system is in. A healthy immune system doesn’t need any help in any wound treatment, even the most serious.

On the other hand, even the best health care won’t stimulate a healing if your immune system is compromised.

What you need is to stimulate your immune system. Only then can true healing begin. Only then will any wound treatment start to work.

The best way to stimulate your immune system, to start it healing any of your ailments, is to use homeopathy. This is how homeopathy works.

But you also need to select the most appropriate medicine for your condition.

To do this, you need to make a short list of your most important signs and symptoms which relate to your wound.

Then you need to match them to the most appropriate medicine. So let’s have a look at one of the most remarkable homeopathic medicines which heal almost every wound.

Calendula has a very broad scope at healing most wounds, but particularly lacerated wounds (such as surgery, caesar, episiotomy, knife wounds, etc) and wounds which are very sensitive to the cold. Having a wound dressed can be very uncomfortable, with it exposed to the cold air.

Calendula has the power to prevent any infection as well as to heal an existing infection.

There are two ways you can take Calendula, and both are best used together. Use a diluted solution of the tincture for topical application of an open wound or burn. And use the medicine in potency, orally, to stimulate your immune system.

Written by Madeleine Innocent.
Do you want to learn more about natural health, in particular homeopathy? Check out my free ebook ‘An Introduction to Some Common Homeopathic Remedies’, by clicking on the website link below.
Good Health Naturally
http://twolegsandfour.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/fast-and-efficient-wound-treatment-is-holistic-1654931.html

“The Future of the Wound Care Management Market to 2015”, report provides key data, information and analysis on the global wound care management market. The report provides market landscape, competitive landscape and market trends information on seven market categories including advanced wound management, compression therapy, ostomy drainage bags, traditional wound management, wound closure devices, negative pressure wound therapy and pressure relief devices. This report provides comprehensive information on the key trends affecting these categories, key analytical content and usage patterns on the market dynamics. The report also reviews the competitive landscape in terms of pipeline products and technology offerings. ( http://www.bharatbook.com/Market-Research-Reports/The-Future-of-the-Wound-Care-Management-Market-to-2015.html )

Wound Care Management Market to Cross $17 billion by 2015

This report estimates that the global market for wound care management products, which was valued at around $13 billion in 2008, would exceed $17 billion by 2015 with a CAGR of 4%. The market is expected to be driven by the increasing number of surgeries and the rising prevalence of pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers and venous ulcers. The market is also expected to be driven by technological advances and by the introduction of new and innovative therapies for wound care management. Also, increasing patient awareness is boosting the demand for wound care management. Patients are more proactive in their well being and are willing to seek physician’s advice at an early stage. Further, the availability of wide range of products to treat different kinds of wounds is increasing the acceptance of healthcare professionals.

US to Remain the Largest Market for Wound Care Management 

Globally, the US remains the largest wound care management market. The US market, valued at $5.2 billion in 2008, is forecast to grow by 4% annually for the next seven years to reach $7.5 million by 2015. The US, increasing its contribution from 39% to 43% towards the global wound care management market, is expected to remain the largest market for wound care management. The US wound care management market is expected to be driven by increasing prevalence of chronic wounds, better reimbursement levels for advanced technologies, positive demographics and increased levels of patient awareness.

Introduction of New and Innovative Technologies to Improve Wound Care Management

Introduction of new and innovative technologies are helping in meeting patient demands. Technologies such as electrical stimulation, electromagnetic therapy, nanotechnology, low level laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, nanocrystalline silver technology, nanospider technology and use of silver and combination dressings are improving wound care management. Other emerging trends in wound care management include tissue engineering, animal-fetal cell research for regenerating tissue in chronic wounds, stem cell therapy and gene therapy. Technological advances such as improvements in synthetic dressing materials are expected to have a positive impact on the growth in the wound care management market. Newer technologies such as recombinant growth factors, endovascular arterial repair techniques, bilayered human dermal substitutes and xenogeneic tissue scaffold are aimed at further improving the wound care management.

Advanced Wound Management and Wound Closure Devices are Key Categories in the Wound Care Management Market

Advanced wound management and wound closure devices categories accounted for 42% of the overall wound care management market in 2008. Advanced wound management market is driven by the rising prevalence of chronic wounds, increasing acceptance of the healthcare professionals and improving levels of patient awareness.  The demand for wound closure devices is expected to increase with the increase in the number of surgeries in cardiovascular and orthopedic markets. These surgeries represent a key growth driver for hemostats and tissue sealants market. Other surgeries which are expected to contribute to the growth of wound closure market are neurological, gynecological and urological procedures. Good surgical outcome and less morbidity seen with wound closure devices are increasing the adoption rates of these products.

Reimbursement Reforms are Limiting Market Growth in Some Regions

The reimbursement levels vary greatly in the US, Europe and Asia Pacific. Availability of reimbursement, for expensive products and treatments such as advanced wound management dressings and negative pressure wound therapy, is more in the US as compared to other countries. However, the US also has been witnessing a constant reduction in the reimbursement rates every year for some of the wound care management products. Companies operating in the wound care management market are also facing pricing pressures due to reimbursement reforms. This is hurting the companies’ top line and bottom line growth. Increasing pressure to contain costs, in economies where healthcare spend by the government is more, is leading to pricing pressures for almost all of the products. This trend is expected to continue in the future as well.

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