Sports can get very competitive in the field. The result is that people often end up suffering injuries. While most of the time these injuries are in other parts of the body, the face can also end up being a victim. It can be worrying if you don’t know how to handle it, but facial injuries should be treatable. Depending on the severity, you might even be back on the field in no time. Here’s what you need to know about the potential injuries you might be facing.
Concussion
One of the first things that you should be doing is to check for a concussion. A facial injury usually means a hit to the head, either another object or because of a fall. There is a wide range of concussions. As a traumatic brain injury, it can have a serious effect on various things. The most common symptoms of a concussion are headaches, memory loss, and confusion. Even a mild concussion can have a nasty effect on you.
If someone hits their head, you should immediately see their condition. People who can stand up and recover from the head hit likely to have a mild concussion. This means they can get back in to play but will still need to check up with a doctor after the game.
A severe concussion is notable by severe symptoms. This includes severe vomiting and nausea, loss of consciousness for more than 30 seconds, ringing in the ears, and more. If these symptoms and more are detected, you need to have the player go to the doctor immediately to stop things from getting worse.
Depending on how bad the concussion is, players might end up need physical and mental rest. That is the only dependable form of concussion treatment. You likely will have to take a break from extreme physical and mental activities like studying and sports. The doctor will clear you if you are ready to get back into full performance again.
Soft Tissue Damage
The most common damage that comes from a facial injury is soft-tissue damage. This can come in the form of bruises or cuts. Abrasions and lacerations are also common. Bruises are simple to deal with. All you need is to put something cold on it. You should apply the cold compress for a minimum of 10 ten minutes then have a few minutes break. You then apply the cold compress again. Repeat the process for three hours to maximize the healing process. Cuts and abrasions need cleaning along with the application of antiseptic. You might also need bandages placed over the wound.
Facial Fractures
One of the more severe forms of sports facial injuries is a fracture. Contact sports are the usual source of fractures, but other sports can also cause fractures. Collisions and falls, especially with the face being hit. Broken jaws, noes, cheekbones, and eye sockets can be the result of really powerful hits.
Managing these fractures will require immediate treatment. Depending on the location of the fracture, there might need to be special handling. For example, fractured eye sockets put your eyesight at risk. Fortunately, most fractures can be treated by experts. Similar to concussions, you will likely be forced to stop exerting yourself for a few weeks. Your bones need to grow back and strengthen, so this might take a couple of months.
Dental Damage
Facial injuries can also damage your teeth. A cracked tooth can be pretty bad. Some sports can even completely shatter teeth, especially if you didn’t wear a mouthguard. Damaged teeth can have a variety of treatments. For example, a completely cracked tooth might need a root canal so that the tooth can be saved. Loose or even dislodged teeth might need immediate treatment. If you end up with missing teeth, there are also replacements available for your lost teeth.
Take Precautions To Prevent Them
If you expect to play in a high-contact sport, there is a high chance of head injuries. Knowing the high possibility, then you should take steps to protect yourself. The best protection is the right headgear. Helmets and mouth guards are great in stopping the blunt force that causes head injuries. Besides that, you should also be careful in keeping your head safe and not taking risks.
Many people only think about the cosmetic effects of facial injury. While it is understandable, there are more concrete effects of being hit in the face. Knowing how to respond to such an injury while also knowing how to prevent it can be a big help in handling it.
