TWO FREQUENT FALL COMPLAINTS
(Page 4 of 4)
RICE is nice
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On the first-aid front, most experts suggest some big chill
— even after your doctor has treated you. The acronym
RICE — rest, ice, compression, and elevation —
describes the best way to hasten healing and prevent
further damage. If you have a minor fracture that's
protected by an air cast or soft cast, your doctor might
let you remove the cast now and then to apply ice directly.
"Put a bag of frozen vegetables on the fracture for about
20 minutes, then remove it for 10," suggests Steven
Subotnick, D.P.M., a sports podiatrist in Hayward,
California, and author of Sports and Exercise
Injuries . "But make sure you put a washcloth between
your skin and the ice bag to prevent an ice burn." Since
you want to avoid pressure on the area, the cold compress
should be applied lightly. Even if you can't take off a
soft cast, You can apply ice to the outside of the cast,
and it will help chill the area underneath.
Stop itchy casts
Bothered by that annoying itch from inside a cast? There's
a big temptation to simply go for it and itch away to find
relief. That might feel good for a second, but it's no
solution. Scratching with a ruler, clothes hanger, or other
device will just produce more itching from the tiny cuts
caused by your scratching.
"Instead, simply elevate the fractured area so that it's
above the level of your heart," suggests Philip Sanfilippo,
D.P.M., a San Francisco podiatrist who specializes in
sports injuries and treatment. "By doing that, you'll
diminish blood flow to the area and reduce swelling. Often
that's enough to relieve the itching."
Adapted from The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies II
(Rodale Press, 1993) by Sid Kirchheimer. Copyright
© 1993 by Sid Kirchheimer.
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