Fixing Tire Nail Punctures is as Easy as 1-2-3

Posted on February 7, 2010
Filed Under Punctures | Leave a Comment

No one wants to step outside and discover a tire on their care or truck has gone flat. Nor does anyone hope to find a nail, or screw embedded deep within the tire tread. Unfortunately, nail punctures are common with motor vehicles and bicycles.

Fortunately, fixing tire nail punctures takes a little bit of time and know how. Auto tire repair kits cost around ten dollars or less. Most come with all the tools and ingredients needed to repair a puncture made from a nail, or other thin pointed objects. Such a kit should be kept on hand just in case, but if not they are available at auto stores, gas stations and some department stores and come as temporary, or permanent repair kits. Temporary kits are useful for when a spare tire is unavailable and the owner wants to drive the vehicle straight to the mechanics.

Those intimidated by the process of fixing tires have no need to worry. Reputable auto shop mechanics are used to fixing tire nail punctures and will do it for you at reasonable prices. A mechanic will examine the tire and explain whether or not he, or she, is able to permanently mend it. This is done in a short amount of time.

Since how quickly the tire gets fixed depends more on the mechanic’s schedule rather than the job itself, the vehicle owner might want to consider fixing tire nail punctures him, or herself. In that case, the tire plug method is preferred do its simplicity and long lasting use.

Fixing tire nail punctures requires a tire plug kit, a means of putting air back into the tire, such as a bicycle tire pump, and tire sealer like fix-a-flat. Tire plug kits come either with a tube of rubber cement, or tubeless. Both forms have their uses and produce satisfactory results. Kits also include a rasp tool, a large eyed needle tool, and long strips of sticky tar or rubber plugs.

To start fixing tire nail punctures first remove the tire, replacing it with a spare if available. Locate the foreign object and mark the area in order to find the exact spot once the nail is removed. Now it is time to remove the nail. If loose it can be done by hand, but a pair of pliers may be needed to grip and pull the nail out. The rasp tool has file like marks on it. This tool is used to clean and smooth out the sides of the hole before inserting the plug. Once this is done, add the rubber cement to the hole. Then thread a plug strip through the needle and insert into the hole. Once a small portion of the plug is visible, about half an inch, remove the needle and let the plug set up. Read the instructions to find out how long this part takes. Once ready, the only thing to do is fill the tire with air.

Camping—Fun But Hard For Allergies

Posted on February 7, 2010
Filed Under Allergic Reactions | Leave a Comment

Camping is fun at any time of the year. Getting out in the great outdoors can be very invigorating and refreshing. Just the fact of being able to get away from it all is therapeutic. But, when the time comes to build that fire around the campsite, there are some things to consider and keep in mind—allergies.

There is nothing like being outside and enjoying all the creations that are around like the beauty of the trees, land and nature at her best. Once you have explored this beautiful site a bit, it is time to sit in front of the fire to get warm and relax. For the ones who struggle with allergies, this may not be a good thing. Being around and inhaling the smoke from the fire can possibly be a trigger or cause for an allergy or asthma attack.

If anyone struggles with allergies, taking the special care to prevent this is always something that should be done. Pack necessary medications, supplies and inhalers if there is one. Try to avoid being in that situation, but if it happens, remove the person from the area by going inside the trailer or camper. If there isn’t one, get inside the vehicle and help to circulate some fresh air.

Sole Protection: Caring for Foot Punctures

Posted on February 5, 2010
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Summer is a time of roaming barefoot through the grass and sandy beaches. Unfortunately, summer is also the time when doctors see an increase in cases for foot punctures. Broken glass shards, shells, tacks, nails, screws, thorns and prickers, sharp edge plastic, pencil tips, sewing needles and even the metal hooks used for hanging Christmas ornaments are among the many objects found to cause foot punctures. Hot summer days are notorious for bringing patients to the hospital with allergic reactions caused by stepping barefoot on an unsuspecting bumblebee. The top of the foot is also vulnerable to punctures from sharp falling objects.

If you plan to walk barefoot through the park you might want to consider watching your step to keep the skin protected from metal and wooden slivers. Though shoes, sneakers and boots offer greater protection from foreign object foot punctures some things, like nails, sewing needles and tacks, have a way of getting through rubber souls and into a foot.

Surface foot punctures, those that barely scratch the soles surface, are usually treated at home. Rusty nails and the like are an exception to this as they may contain bacteria carrying tetanus, a virus that causes extreme muscle stiffness and spasms. If a rusty object does penetrate the foot the injured party should seek medical attention immediately. The same is true for any wound with prevalent redness, pus, or drainage, where the bleeding continues, unknown spider bites, allergic reactions to bee stings, or any wound that doesn’t begin to heal within a few days.

Foot punctures can become more serious because a person’s weight could cause the object to pierce deep into the skin and muscle. Slivers running deep into the foot should be looked at by a doctor even if the injured person believes he or she removed all of it.

To care for surface foot punctures first remove the foreign object from the foot if able. If unable to readily remove the object use a pair tweezers cleaned in an alcohol based solution. Clean the skin and make sure to remove all dirt and debris. Then clean again and apply an antibiotic ointment or cream to seal and protect the area. To stop any bleeding that might occur, or keep dirt from entering the wound cover with a cloth or bandage. Stay off the foot as much as possible until the soreness goes away.

The best course of action is protection and prevention. Knowing what to do when accidents happen can save a patient from long hospital stays, or serious complications down the line.

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