การดูแลฉุกเฉิน (บาดเจ็บเล็กน้อย/ป่วยเล็กน้อย)

Let me take a look. When exactly did you cut it, and how did it happen?

It does look infected. I'm going to clean the wound, apply an antibiotic ointment, and bandage it properly. When was your last tetanus shot?

We should give you a tetanus booster to be safe. I'm also prescribing oral antibiotics — take one pill twice a day for seven days. Finish the full course even if it looks better.

Change the bandage daily. Keep it clean and dry. If the redness spreads or you develop a fever, come back immediately or go to an ER.

Any drugstore — CVS, Walgreens, or Rite Aid. The ointment is over the counter, but the oral antibiotics require the prescription I'm giving you.

I'll take a look with an otoscope. Have you been swimming recently, or had any cold symptoms?

It looks like swimmer's ear — an outer ear infection. The ear canal is red and swollen. I'll prescribe antibiotic ear drops.

Tilt your head with the affected ear facing up. Put in 4 drops, then stay in that position for about 5 minutes. Do this three times a day for 7 days.

Yes, keep your ear completely dry for at least a week. When showering, put a cotton ball with petroleum jelly in your ear to keep water out.

Ibuprofen or acetaminophen should help with the pain. If the pain gets significantly worse or you develop a fever, come back right away.