With the approach of summer and the hurricane season, local residents should keep in mind that our area can be affected by storms. In past years, Highland County residents were besieged with Hurricane Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. They suffered bravely through power outages, damaged homes, businesses and numerous other losses.
While picking up debris, tree limbs, roofing and siding, trauma such as puncture wounds, scrapes, foot/leg wounds and burns, sprains and fractures may occur.
Adults and children need to be made aware of the various foreign objects leading to puncture wounds that exist outside. Glass, wood, rusted nails, tree branches, sharp pieces of roofing are all hazardous. Proper footwear such as boots or sneakers should be worn while working outdoors. You should never walk outside barefoot during these conditions. Flip-flops, sandals and thin-soled shoes such as moccasins do not offer proper protection. Rusted nails can go through any shoe penetrating through the layers of your skin. Bacteria and foreign objects can enter the site. Until you can obtain medical care, thoroughly clean your foot with clean water and bandage your foot. Medical care by your doctor may include X-rays to check for foreign bodies, possible incisions and drainage of the area, oral antibiotics and a tetanus shot. Scratches and scrapes of the feet and legs need to be closely monitored especially if your are diabetic, have poor circulation or neuropathy (loss of sensation in your extremities). Non healing scrapes, scratches can lead to infected wounds, ulcerations, abscesses. Left untreated they can cause skin and bone infections.
Cuts from chainsaws require immediate emergency hospital care. 
Beware of superficial cuts from saws and pruners that do not heal. Burns from generators require immediate emergency room care. Injuries from climbing roofs include foot/ankle sprains and fractures. Immobilize and elevate the injured area, apply ice and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Dr. Olga Garcia Luepschen and the Gentle Foot Care Center are located 2 Ryant Blvd (on US27) can be reached 314-9255(walk). Check us out at www.gentlefootcarecenter.com
Gentle Foot Care Center 