Carve pumpkins, not hands, for Halloween
It’s Halloween season, but not all the blood is fake.
During pumpkin carving time, it’s not uncommon to cut more than the orange gourd. But the folks at the Greater Chesapeake Hand Specialists have some advice for staying out of the emergency room.
“Most of us end up at the hospital at least once or twice in October repairing cut tendons and nerves from a pumpkin carving mishap,” says Dr. Chris Forthman, a surgeon at the practice’s Lutherville and Westminster offices. “These mishaps often result in three to four months of rehabilitation to restore function to the damaged hand and fingers.”
Here’s what the specialists say:
+Pick a Good Work Environment -- Carve a clean, dry, and well-lit area. Also make sure that your hands, the knife and the cutting surfaces remain free of excess liquid or other pumpkin grime. Moisture is often a factor in slipping and accidental injury.
+Have a Responsible Adult in Charge -- “I’ve seen far too many teens ruin their hands with accidental knife injuries,” said Dr. Forthman. “Pumpkin carving can be a fun and creative outlet for some adolescents, but there must be good oversight and a healthy respect for the blade. A split second error in judgment can alter the course of a promising kid’s athletic, musical, or other interests.”
+Involve Children in a Safe Way -- Never let children do the carving. Forthman suggests letting kids draw a pattern on the pumpkin and have them be responsible for cleaning out the inside pulp and seeds.
+Sharper is not better -- Use a Pumpkin Carving Kit. Sharp knives often become wedged in the thicker part of the pumpkin skin. “Yanking a sharp blade from deep in the pumpkin is a recipe for disaster,” Forthman said. “I also have taken care of patients with stab injuries from driving through the pumpkin and out the other side. Just be careful” Special pumpkin carving kits are available in stores and include small serrated pumpkin saws that work better because they are less likely to get stuck in the thick pumpkin tissue.
+Watch Where You Cut -- While using the pumpkin carving kits, always cut away from yourself. Also be sure to cut in small, controlled strokes.
+Don’t Drink and Carve -- “If you’re attending a pumpkin carving party (for adults) with alcoholic beverages, do not drink the alcohol until after you have finished carving,” said Dr. Michael S. Murphy, a surgeon in the Lutherville and Clarksville/River Hill offices. “You’d be surprised how many patients I’ve seen in the ER who harmed themselves carving while intoxicated.”
+Know When to Seek Medical Help -- If you do end up cutting yourself, 10 to 15 minutes of direct pressure to minor cuts often stops any bleeding. Large wounds, uncontrollable bleeding, numbness and loss of motion are all good reasons to consider an emergency room visit.
Baltimore Sun file photo/Gene Sweeney
