You may need stitches for:*

* Deep cuts [more than 0.25 inches (6.35 mm) deep] that have jagged edges or that gape open

? Deep cuts that reach down to the fat, muscle, bone or other deep structures

* Deep cuts over a joint, especially if the cut opens when the joint is moved or if pulling the edges of the cut apart shows fat, muscle, bone or joint structures

* Deep cuts on the hands or fingers

* Cuts on the face, lips or any area where there is concern over possible scarring (for cosmetic reasons). Cuts on the eyelid often need sutures for both functional and cosmetic reasons

* Cuts longer than 0.75 inches (19.05 mm) that are deeper than 0.25 inches (6.35 mm) when the edges are pulled apart

* Cuts that continue to bleed after 15 minutes of direct pressure

* Puncture wounds where the cosmetic appearance of the wound will be greatly improved or where stitching is needed to restore function, such as in an injury to a tendon or ligament.

You may not need stitches for:

* Cuts with smooth edges that tend to stay together during normal movement of the affected body part

* Shallow cuts less than 0.25 inches (6.35 mm) deep that are less than 0.75 inches (19.05 mm) long

* Puncture wounds
These wounds tend to be smaller, and stitches don’t speed healing or reduce scarring

These wounds tend to be deep, narrow and hard to clean, which increases the risk for infection. Stitching such a wound may seal the bacteria in, increasing the risk of infection

If such a wound becomes infected, it will usually drain better and heal faster if it is not stitched.

* These types of cuts need to be evaluated by a health professional, but may not always require stitching.

In fact, using homeopathic medicines for injuries is considerably easier than treating common diseases because treatment for injuries does not require a high degree of individualizing of remedies that is typical in treating diseases. When two people have sprained ankles, they each need a similar homeopathic remedy to heal them, while two people suffering from arthritis generally require different remedies which are individualized to their unique pattern of symptoms.

Homeopathic medicine should be taken in conjunction with, not in replacement of, conventional first aid measures.

The chart of this page summarizes key homeopathic medicines for common injuries. However, for greater detail and further information on the homeopathic treatment of sports injuries, see the three books listed at the bottom of the page.



Single Remedies and Formulas

Homeopathic medicines are available as single remedies or as formulas of two or more remedies mixed together. Formulas are a more user-friendly way to use homeopathic medicines since the indications for their use are extremely clear. The use of several remedies in a formulas provide a more broad spectrum effect not available in a single remedy. Because injuries sometimes involve muscle, nerve, and bone tissue, it sometimes makes sense to use formulas to help to heal the various tissues involved.

Single remedies are more recommended for injuries when you know the correct medicine to give and when you wish to give a higher potency of a remedy than is available in formulas. Formula products usually contain remedies in the 3, 6, or 12th potencies, while people with severe pain may receive more rapid benefit from the 30th potency.

The “x” after the potency number (as in 6x) refers to the number of times in which a medicine is diluted 1:10, while the “c” after the potency number (6c) is diluted 1:100 (it will be easy to remember the difference between “x” and “c” by simply remember their meaning as Roman numerals). Two hundred years of homeopathic clinical experience has found that the higher the potency, the more powerful and faster the medicine acts. However, the higher the potency used, the more accurate the remedy must be for the injured or sick person. Because of this, it is recommended to use the 30th potency when the user is very confident that the remedy used is the correct one. When one is not as confident, the 6th or 12th potency is indicated, or one can consider using a homeopathic formula.



Frequency of Dose

When taking homeopathic medicines it is recommended to take as few doses as necessary but as many as are required when experiencing pain. At first when there is the greatest amount of pain and discomfort, you may need to take the remedy every hour. Usually after four doses, you can reduce the frequency to every other hour, and as the intensity of pain diminishes, taking a dose every four hours is common.

If no improvement is noticeable after one or two days, it is not recommended to take further doses.



External Applications

Although most homeopathic remedies are in pill form for internal consumption, there are a select number of homeopathic medicines which are available in external applications. Some external applications are in ointments, gels, or sprays. Although they have a similar degree of efficacy, each has certain benefits and detriments.

Ointments are made from a petroleum base which doesn’t allow the skin to breath as well, but they tend to work well because they are not easily washed or wiped off. Gels and sprays allow the skin the breath more, but they are more easily washed or wiped off. Gels are my personal favorite because they are not as easily washed off.





INDICATION MEDICINE DOSE

Shock and trauma of injury Arnica 6,12,30

30 preferred



Injury to the soft tissue/muscle Arnica 6,12,30

Arnica external

Formula external



Injury to nerves or parts of Hypericum

the body rich with nerves (feet, Hypericum external
fingers, back);
injuries with Formula external
shooting pains
6,12,30



Sprains/strains Arnica (immediately
after injury)
6,12,30

Rhus tox* 6,12,30

Bryonia** 6,12,30

Ledum (for easily
sprained ankles)
6,12,30

Arnica external Injury Formula external

Tendonitis Rhus tox* 6,12,30

Bryonia** 6,12,30

Arnica external

Injury Formula external



Severe sprains (wrenched tendons, Rhus tox* 12,30

split ligaments) Bryonia**
12,30

Ruta (if Rhus tox or Bryonia aren’t effective) 12,30

Bellis perennis (when
cold applications cannot be tolerated)
12,30



Dislocation Arnica 12,30

Hypericum (if
shooting pains)
12,30



Injuries to periosteum (bone-covering) Ruta 6,12,30

Arnica external

Injury Formula external



Injuries to knee or elbow Ruta 6,12,30

(includes shin splints) Rhus tox* 6,12,30

Arnica external

Injury Formula external



Fracture Symphytum

(Take Arnica for shock of injury)
6,12,30

Arnica external

Injury Formula external



Head injury (immediately after injury) Arnica 12,30

Old head injury Natrum sulphicum 12,30



Slow repair of fractures Calcarea phos.
6,12



Bruises/Contusions Arnica 6,12,30

(no break in the skin) Arnica external

Injury Formula external



Bleeding Arnica 12,30



Nosebleeds Phosphorus
12,30



Blisters Calendula external



Cuts Calendula external



Lacerations (deep cuts) Hypericum external (1st)

Calendula external (after deep cut begins to heal)

Staphysagria 12,30



* Rhus tox is indicated when the person experiences the “rusty gate” syndrome: there is great pain upon initial motion but some relief on continued motion.

** Bryonia is indicated when the person experiences increased pain and discomfort the more motion they do.





Useful Books

Stephen Cummings, M.D., and Dana Ullman, M.P.H., Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicine, Los Angeles: Jeremy Tarcher, 1991.

Steven Subotnick, D.P.M., Sports and Exercise Injuries: Conventional, Homeopathic and Alternative Treatments, Berkeley: North Atlantic, 1991.

Dana Ullman, M.P.H., Discovering Homeopathy, Berkeley: North Atlantic, 1991.

The information provided here is not only applicable to children but to most people with cuts.

REMEDIES LISTED IN CAPITOL LETTERS REPRESENT MORE FREQUENTLY INDICATED REMEDIES

CALENDULA: This remedy is best suited for clean cuts with little or no infection. Use a tincture (slightly diluted with water), gel, spray, or ointment and apply directly to the wound. Do not use Calendula externally on deep cuts because it has such rapid healing capabilities that it will tend to close up a deep cut before it is adequately healed underneath.

HYPERICUM: This remedy is for infected or deep cuts; apply Hypericum spray or slightly diluted tincture externally. If there is much shooting or cutting pain, take Hypericum 6 or 30 internally.

STAPHYSAGRIA: When children get a deep clean cut or a stabbing wound, consider giving this medicine internally.

Copyright 1992 by Dana Ullman, M.P.H. used by permission of the author from the book Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants published by Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam.

For further information about homeopathic medicine, contact:

Homeopathic Educational Services

2124B Kittredge St.

Berkeley, CA. 94704

(510)649-0294

(510)649-1955 (fax)

Email: mail@homeopathic.com

Here is a list of drugs and other things you should keep at home for self-care. Store them in a handy, dry place, but out of children’s reach. Check the expiration date often. Throw away and replace ones that are outdated.

Medications	Use
Acetaminophen ex: Aspirin-Free Anacin, Tylenol	Pain relief, reduces fever
Activated charcoal (binds certain chemicals when swallowed) [NOTE: Call Poison Control Center first]	Oral Poisoning for some poisons
Antacids (liquid or tablets) ex: Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta, Amphojel	Stomach upset, heartburn
Antibiotic cream or ointment ex: Neosporin	Minor skin infection, wounds
Anti-diarrheal medicine ex: Kaopectate, Immodium A-D, Donnagel	Diarrhea
Antifungal preparations ex: Tinactin	Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot
Antihistamines ex: Dristan, Triaminic, Benadryl	Allergies, cold symptom relief
Anti-motion sickness ex: Dramamine	Motion sickness
Antiseptic preparation ex: Betadine	Abrasions, cuts
Aspirin* ex: Anacin, Bayer, Bufferin	Pain relief, reduces fever and swelling
Cough medicine with expectorant (look for one with Guaifenison) ex: Robitussin	Cough with mucus
Cough suppressant without expectorant(look for one with Dextromethorphan ex: Robitussin DM	Dry cough without mucus
Decongestant (tablets, nose spray, etc.) ex: Dristan Nasal Spray, Sudafed, Dimetapp	Stuffy and runny nose, post-nasal drip from colds, allergies
Ear wax dissolver ex: Debrox	Ear wax
Eye drops and artificial tears ex: Murine, Visine	Minor eye irritations
Hemorrhoid preparations ex: Hemorid	Hemorrhoids
Hydrocortisone cream ex: Cortaid, Lanacort	Minor skin irritations, itching and rashes
Ibuprofen (adult) ex: Advil	Pain relief, reduces fever and swelling
Laxatives ex: Ex-Lax, Correctol, Milk of Magnesia	Constipation
Moisturizer ex: Jergens Lotion	Dry skin
Naproxen Sodium (adult) ex: Aleve	Pain relief, reduces fever and swelling
Petroleum jelly ex: Vaseline	Chafing, dry skin
Rubbing alcohol	Topical antiseptic, clean thermometer
Sanitary napkins, tampons	Menstruation
Sunscreen – look for one with SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more	Prevent sunburn, protect against skin cancer
Syrup of Ipecac (NOTE: Call Poison Control Center first)	To induce vomiting for some poisons
Throat anesthetic preparations ex: Sucret throat lozenges, Chloraseptic spray	Minor sore throat
Toothache – relief preparation ex. Anbesol	Toothache
Supplies	Use
Adhesive bandages	Minor wounds
Adhesive tape, sterile gauze pads, roll of sterile gauze and scissors	To dress minor wounds
Cotton balls, cotton tipped applicators	Minor wounds
Elastic bandages and clips	Minor strains and sprains
Heating pad/hot water bottle	Minor pains, strains, menstrual cramps
Humidifier, vaporizer (cool mist)	Add moisture to the air
Ice pack/Heat pack	Minor pain and injuries
Thermometer (mercury-containing, digital, etc.) Basal thermometer if using natural family planning method for birth control.	Fever
Tongue depressor, flashlight	Check for redness or infection in throat
Tweezers	Remove splinters

• Cuts slice the skin open. Close a cut so it won’t get infected.
  
• Scrapes hurt only the top part of your skin. They can hurt more than cuts, but they heal quicker.
  
• Punctures stab deep. Leave punctures open so they won’t get infected.
  

• Leave the bandage on for 24 hours. Change the bandage every day or two or more often if you need to. Be careful when you take the bandage off. You don’t want to make the cut bleed again. If you have used gauze, wet it before you pull it off.
  
• Take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium for pain. Don’t take aspirin every day unless your doctor tells you to, because taking it too much can keep the blood from clotting. [Note: Do not give aspirin or any medication containing salicylates to anyone 19 years of age or younger, unless directed by a physician, due to its association with Reye’s Syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.]
  
• Call your doctor or local health department if you have not had a tetanus shot in the last 10 years. (5 years for a deep puncture.)
  

• Let the wound bleed to clean itself out.
  
• Remove the object that caused the puncture. Use clean tweezers. Hold a lit match to the ends of the tweezers to sterilize them. [Note: Don’t pull anything out of a puncture wound if blood gushes from it, or if it has been bleeding badly. Get emergency care.]
  
• Wash the wound with warm water and soap, or take a bath or shower to clean it.
  
• Leave the wound open. Cover it with a bandage if it is big or still bleeds a little.
  
• Soak the wound in warm, soapy water 2 to 3 times a day.
  

Cuts, scrapes, and punctures make you bleed:

• Cuts slice the skin open. Close a cut so it won’t get infected.
  
• Scrapes hurt only the top part of your skin. They can hurt more than cuts, but they heal quicker.
  
• Punctures stab deep. Leave punctures open so they won’t get infected.

You can treat most cuts, scrapes, and punctures yourself. But you should take your child to the emergency room if they are bleeding a lot, or if they are hurt very badly.

After bleeding for a few minutes, blood gets thicker. This is called clotting. Clotting slows down bleeding. Press on the cut to help slow down the bleeding. You may have to apply pressure for 10 minutes for a bad cut. Sometimes a cut needs stitches. Stitches help the cut heal.

Is the bleeding very bad? Is the child in shock? Does blood spurt from the wound? Has the child lost a lot of blood? Does the cut keep bleeding a lot after putting pressure on it for 10 minutes?
Does the cut need stitches? Is it deep? (Does it go down to the muscle or bone?) And/or is it on the head or face? Is it longer than an inch and on a body part that bends, like an elbow, knee, or finger? (Bending will put pressure on the cut.) Does the skin on the edges of the cut hang open?
Has your child not had their tetanus shots? If not, is the cut or puncture from a rusty nail or dirty object from the soil?
Is it still bleeding after 20 minutes of pressure, even if it is a small cut?
Are there signs of infection a day or more after the wound? Fever of 101o or higher Redness, swelling, tenderness at or around the wound Pain that gets worse instead of better Sick feeling

For cuts and scrapes

1. Press on the cut to stop the bleeding. Do this for up to 10 minutes if you need to. Use a sterile bandage or a clean cloth. Use a clean hand if you don’t have a bandage or cloth. (Dry gauze can stick to the wound, so try not to use it.) Don’t use a band-aid.
   
2. Clean around the wound with soap and water. (It’s okay if some gets into the cut, but it may hurt.)
   
3. Press on the cut again if it keeps bleeding. Get help if it is still bleeding after 20 minutes. Keep pressing on it while you wait for help.
   
4. Lift the cut higher than the child’s heart. This slows down blood flow to that spot.
   
5. Put first-aid cream on the cut when it is clean and dry. Use a sterile cloth or cotton swab. Try Bacitracin, Polysporin, Neosporin, or Johnson & Johnson First-Aid cream. Don’t use mercurochrome, hydrogen peroxide, merthiolate, iodine, or Campho-Phenique. These can all slow down healing.
   
6. Put one or more band-aids on the cut.
   
   • Put the band-aid across the cut so it can help hold the cut together.
     
   • The sides of the cut should touch, but not too tightly.
     
   • Don’t touch the cut with your hand.
     
   • You can use a butterfly bandage if you have one.
     
   • Use more than one bandage for a long cut.
     
   • For scrapes, make a bandage from gauze and first-aid tape.
   
   
7. Leave the bandage on for 24 hours. Change the bandage every day or two. Change it more often if you need to. Be careful when you take the bandage off. You don’t want to make the cut bleed again. Wet gauze before you pull it off.
   
8. Give your child acetaminophen for pain every 4 hours if they need it.
   

   (Note: Do not give aspirin to anyone under 19 years old unless your doctor tells you to. Aspirin and other medicines that have salicylates have been linked to Reye’s Syndrome, a condition that can kill.)
   

9. Has your child had all their shots? Call the doctor right away if your child’s tetanus shot is not up-to-date. Ask your doctor if your child needs a shot. (See the “Immunization Schedule and Record” on page 81.) If your child doesn’t have a doctor, call your local health department.

For punctures that bleed a little

1. Let the cut bleed to clean itself out.
   
2. Take out anything stuck in the cut. Use clean tweezers. Hold a lit match to the ends to make them sterile.
   (Note: Don’t pull anything out of the cut if it has been bleeding badly or if it is near a big blood vessel. Get emergency care.)
   
3. Wash the cut with warm water and soap. You can give your child a bath or shower to clean the cut.
   
4. Soak the cut in warm, soapy water 2 to 3 times a day.
   
5. Leave the cut open. You can cover it with a bandage if it is big or still bleeds a little.

Boraginaceae

Habitat: Shady places throughout Europe including Britain, cultivated in gardens.

Part used: Leaves.

Collection: The leavres should be gathered during and after flowering, between March and September.

Constituents:

• Allantoin

• Flavonoids; quercitin and kaempferol

• Miscellaneous; tannins, mucilage, vitamin C, saponins, (unspecified). Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, common in other plants of the Boraginaceae, have been shown to be absent from all samples of Pulmonaria officinalis tested.
  

Indications: Lungwort has two broad areas of use. The one that provides its name is its use in the treatment of coughs and bronchitis, especially where associated with upper respiratory catarrh. The other broad area is that related to its astringency. This explains its use in the treating of diarrhoea, especially in children, and in easing haemorrhoids. As with all plants these two broad areas must be seen as part of the whole activity of the herb, acting as a unity. Externally this plant may be used to heal cuts and wounds.

Priest & Priest tell us that it is a “demulcent pectoral tonic for general pulmonary conditions where a gentle tonic is required.” They give the following specific indications: coughs, colds, influenza. Bronchial and catarrhal states. Inflammation of throat or lungs.

Combinations: For lung conditions, this herb may be used with White Horehound, Coltsfoot or Lobelia.

Preparation and dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Tincture: take l-4ml of the tincture three times a day.

Myrtaceae

Names: Tea tree

Habitat: Swampy, low lying wetlands in New South Wales,
Australia.

Collection:

Part Used: Essential oil.

Constituents:

• Essential oil containing a range of terpenes and sesquiterpenes.

Actions: Anti-microbial

Indications: The essential oil of Ti Tree is an important anti-microbial
that has recently become available in North America. An undoubtedly
useful oil, it has attracted to itself the modern equivalent of
the old snake oil sales ‘persons’! Claims are being made that have
a kernel of truth to them but are exaggerated for promotional reasons.
Never believe advertisements about herbs, question them instead.
The claims may be true, but get the evidence and make up your own
mind. A list of conditions that Melaleuca oil has been suggested
for include: sinusitis, the common cold, sinus blockage, laryngitis,
coughs, apthous ulcers, boils, cuts, bites, sunburn, malaria,
parasites, head lice, herpes simples, herpes progenitalis, impetigo,
psoriasis, infected seborrhoeic dermatitis, ringworm of the scalp,
ringworm, athletes foot, fungal infections of the nails, thrush,
trichomona lvaginitis.

Preparations & Dosage: The oil is for external use
and in people with sensitive skin it should be diluted with a bland
fixed oil such as almond oil. There is currently a wide range of
products on the market that contain the oil. These include toothpaste,
soap, shampoo.

Caryophyllaceae

Habitat: A common weed, it grows everywhere in moist places and frequently in gardens.

Collection: This common `weed’ can be collected in spring, but may be found throughout the year.

Part Used: Dried aerial parts.

Constituents:

• Saponin glycosides

• Coumarins and hydroxycoumarins

• Flavonoids

• Carboxylic acids

• Triterpenoids

• Vitamin C, about l50-350mg per l00g.
  

Indications: Chickweed is commonly used as an external remedy for cuts, wounds and especially for itching andirritation. If eczema or psoriasis causes this sort of irritation, Chickweed may be used with benefit.
Internally it has a reputation as a remedy for rheumatism.

King’s Dispensatory gives the following uses: “Chickweed appears to be a cooling demulcent. I have seen the fresh leaves bruised and applied as apoultice to indolent, intractable ulcers of the leg, of many years standing, with the most decided and immediately beneficial results; to be changed 2 or 3 times a day. In acute ophthalmia, the bruised leaves will likewise be
found a valuable application. An ointment, made by bruising fresh leaves in fresh lard, may be used in many forms of cutaneous disease. A tincture of Stellariamedia has been extolled in some quarters as a remedy for rheumatic pains of a fugative and shifting character.

Combinations: Chickweed makes an excellent ointment when combined with Marshmallow.

Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup
of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of dried herb and leave to infuse for 5 minutes. This may be drunk three times a day. Fresh Chickweed may be made into a Green Drink by placing a handful of the fresh plant into the blender with pineapple juice, blend and strain. To ease itching, a strong infusion of the fresh plant makes a useful addition to the bath water.