blessure

Blessure is a general term used to describe damage to the body's tissues resulting from external force, accident, or, less commonly, internal pathological processes. In medical contexts, the term encompasses a range of injuries from superficial wounds to internal injuries. The concept is used in several languages, notably French, to refer to both wounds and more extensive injuries.

Common types include wounds such as abrasions, lacerations, puncture wounds, and contusions, as well as musculoskeletal injuries like sprains and strains, fractures, burns, and concussions. The severity and required care depend on the tissue involved, depth, contamination, and the mechanism of injury.

Symptoms vary but often include pain, swelling, bleeding, reduced function, deformity, or warmth at the site. Red flags prompting urgent care include heavy bleeding, signs of infection, numbness or loss of function, chest pain, or suspected head, neck, or spinal injury.

First aid focuses on safety, controlling bleeding, and preventing further harm: assess the scene, apply direct pressure to bleeding, clean the wound with clean water, remove nonviable debris if safe, and cover with a sterile dressing. Medical evaluation is advised for deep wounds, suspected fractures, or burns larger than a few centimeters. Tetanus vaccination status should be checked when relevant.

Prevention emphasizes protective equipment, safe practices, and proper wound care. With appropriate treatment, many injuries heal, though some may require stitches, imaging, antibiotics, or rehabilitation.