Never Ignore Your Doctor's Advice About Your Blood Pressure

I have always been in pretty good health, so I was surprised one day when my doctor told me my blood pressure was a bit high. She told me to begin watching my salt intake, start exercising, and to try to relax. Well, I intended to follow her advice when I left her office, but the next day I was back to my same habits. I kept using the salt shaker and didn't begin an exercise routine like I had planned. When I went for my next check-up, she told me that my blood pressure was even higher and approaching a dangerous level. I had to begin a blood pressure medication to manage it. I wanted to create a blog to share my story and remind people to listen to their doctors' advice. If a few lifestyle changes can improve your health, then you should make them.

At-Home First Aid Tips for Minor Burns

Health & Medical Blog

If you burn yourself seriously, you should seek medical care. However, small and minor burns—such as those that occur if you touch your forehead with a curling iron or bump your arm on a hot pan—can usually be treated at home. You do need to know how to treat them, though. Apply the following first aid tips so you can recover in time.

1. Cool the burn down with water or ice.

As soon as possible after a burn, you should cool the area down. If you burned your arm or hand, the easiest way to do this is usually to run the affected area under cool water. You want the tap to be flowing gently, not forcefully propelling water towards your hand. If you burned your forehead with a curling iron or you burned some other area that you can't run directly under water, then just hold an ice pack against the area for about 5 minutes. You can even use a package of frozen peas if that's all you have on hand.

2. Apply aloe or an unscented lotion.

If you can keep the burned area moist, it will heal a lot faster, and you will also experience less pain as the air comes into contact with the burned skin. The preferred source of moisture is aloe vera, as it will soothe the burn and provide some natural pain relief. But if you do not have any aloe, you can just apply some unscented lotion. Anything gentle and mild will do. Don't rub; smooth it gently into your skin. Reapply it every couple of hours for the first two or three days.

3. Apply a bandage.

Eventually, you will want to let the burned area dry out. But for the first two or three days, it is best to keep it covered. This keeps the skin moist, and it also protects the skin from being exposed to infectious bacteria. A bandage will work for the average burn; you may need a large one to cover a larger burn.

4. Take ibuprofen.

Unless you have a medical condition that makes it unsafe for you to take ibuprofen, take a dose as soon as you are done directly treating the burn. This will help keep your pain under control and will also keep the area from swelling. One dose is enough for most people, but if your burn hurts in a few hours once the ibuprofen wears off, you can take another dose.

The tips above will enable you to care for a minor burn at home. If you suspect your burn is more serious, contact your doctor or head to a burn treatment center.

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2 October 2020