A homemade sling may be a good choice for minor arm injuries, but it's not enough to ensure proper healing in the case of serious fractures or dislocations. Allow a doctor to examine the injury, take x-rays, and discuss a treatment plan with you. A doctor's final treatment plan may involve the use of a sling – but your injury might also require a cast or surgery. If you use a homemade sling to set a broken bone or a dislocated limb, your arm might heal poorly. You may experience lasting discomfort, and you may need further medical attention.  Common symptoms of broken arms include: Intense pain Tenderness Swelling Loss of motion or decreased sensation Possible open wound with bone sticking out Difference in appearance relative to the uninjured arm   Common symptoms of dislocated arms (most commonly in the form of a dislocated shoulder) include: Pain in the arm, shoulder, and/or collarbone Deformation (a bump on or near the shoulder) Swelling Bruising When a broken bone sticks through the skin—or a wound forms in which bone is visible following a fracture—this is called an "open fracture" or "compound fracture." These fractures are exceptionally painful, dangerous, and difficult to treat. Be aware that the types of injuries that cause compound fractures can also cause other serious trauma. It is essential that you get yourself prompt, effective medical treatment. Do not try to realign compound fractures without the help of a qualified medical professional. The only exceptions to this rule are rare, special cases: when you will not be able to secure immediate medical treatment, and setting a compound fracture by hand is preferable to the alternative of doing nothing at all. You should only ever attempt to realign broken bones when signs of poor circulation appear. Again: if possible, wait for a doctor to reset your broken bones. The exception is when it appears that a fracture is preventing blood from circulating through the limb. Your limb may not be receiving any blood if the area of the limb past the fracture looks pale or blue, has no pulse, loses sensation, or grows cold. In these cases, the potential loss of the limb outweighs the dangers of having an amateur re-set the bone – or of doing the job yourself. If this is the case, visit How to Realign a Fractured Bone for more information.
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One-sentence summary -- Seek medical attention for broken bones or dislocations. Head straight to the emergency room if you can see a bone in the wound. Only try to reset a bone if you are at risk of losing a limb.


The damaged area will be sensitive until the discoloration fades. Putting pressure on the eye can make it hurt more, but it can also aggravate the damaged blood vessels beneath the skin, causing a worse or prolonged injury. Before you get the swelling to calm down, you should also avoid forcing your eye to stay open for a prolonged period of time. After a day or two of using an ice pack to soothe the swelling, you should switch tactics and begin applying moist heat to the injured area.  Hold a warm, moistened washcloth or compress against the affected area. Do not use a heating pad, since this provides dry heat and can actually be too hot, thereby causing more damage to the sensitive skin of your face. Apply the warm compress in 10-minute intervals, each of which should be separated by a period of rest lasting no less than 10 minutes each. Do not apply the warm compress directly to the eye. Only apply it to the skin around the eye. Warm compresses promote an increased amount of circulation to the damaged blood vessels. This allows pooled blood trapped below the surface of your skin to be re-absorbed, which can speed up the healing process. Your black eye should fade significantly after a week and a half or so. If it has not faded much within that time frame, call your general practitioner and schedule an appointment. Black eyes tend to look worse before they get better, so don't be alarmed if your eye looks worse during the first few days following the injury. If you have any reason to suspect there is still bleeding, however, then you should see your doctor right away.
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One-sentence summary -- Avoid putting pressure on the eye or causing more damage. Switch to moist heat after 24 to 48 hours. Call a doctor if the damage worsens or does not fade.


Feeling comfortable around others means feeling comfortable with yourself, too. If you feel insecure in who you are, other people will pick up on that in social interactions. Find activities that boost your self-confidence or allow you to develop self-confidence, and know that you can transfer those feelings to your social interactions. Maybe you’re an excellent water skier, ballet dancer, or model car builder. If you feel anxious or uncomfortable, tap into the feelings of confidence that other activities give you to help put yourself at ease. If you find yourself lost in negative thoughts (“I’ll be so awkward” or “I’m not going to enjoy myself”) notice that you’re engaging a negative thought, then provide a counterpoint. You can say, “I may really enjoy myself, and I give myself permission to have a good time” or “I can work on feeling awkward by practicing new skills.”  Don’t talk yourself out of going to social events just because you feel uncomfortable. Anytime you are on the fence about going, use positive self-talk to encourage you to go. Think of it as an adventure to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Remember that you’re practicing social ‘’skills’’, not social talents. Give yourself time to adjust to more positive self-talk. You may find yourself catastrophizing (“This will be so horrible” or “I bet no one will be there, and I’ll be alone and feel so out of place”) but learn to ignore these thoughts and return your focus to more positive thoughts. Sometimes you get along great with people, and other times you may just not click. If you find yourself not clicking with someone, remember that this is an isolated circumstance, and it doesn’t mean you’re socially awkward, that you’re bad at conversation, or that people don’t like you. If you’re worried about how people will respond to you or if you’ll be judged, remind yourself not to assign heavy value to the opinion’s of others. Say to yourself, “People’s opinions of me don’t define my identity. They are entitled to their opinions as I am to my own.” If you start feeling anxious around new people, tune into your body, especially your breath. You may notice your breathing quicken or feel more restricted. Calm your mind by calming your breath. Take a deep inhale, hold it for a few seconds, then let the breath leave your body slowly. Repeat as necessary. Learn to identify your stressful triggers and use relaxation techniques to calm yourself. This is especially helpful before you approach a social situation. Techniques such as meditation and yoga can help calm you down before you meet new people.  When you notice your body tensing up before a social event or meeting, take note of the feelings and learn to relax your body. Notice the tension (perhaps in your shoulders or neck) and consciously release it. Have specific techniques you use before you go out to meet new people. If you have to attend a work function, spend a little time before the event in meditation, or go to a yoga class beforehand. Plan out your day so that you can approach the situation in the best possible mindset.
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One-sentence summary --
Build your self-confidence. Use positive self-talk. Avoid basing your worth on other people’s reactions. Use your breath. Relax.