Are you up on the latest in wound care treatment? Some things are common sense (wash it out – gently of course!) but some things have changed over the years (goodbye hydrogen peroxide).
Follow These Dos and Don’ts When it Comes to Wound Care
Read on to learn the current best practices in wound care.
Do use water to thoroughly rinse out your wound
This will help remove any debris or dirt that might be in the wound, as well as flush out germs and bacteria that could be present. Use a gentle stream of water and a mild soap, if possible.
Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or iodine
While this used to be commonly recommended to help clean a wound, we now know that this can harm the skin and lengthen the amount of time it takes a wound to heal.
Do keep your wound moist after cleaning
Wounds tend to heal faster and cleaner when they don’t fully dry out. While this used to be an extra perk of antibacterial ointment, nowadays petroleum jelly or a similar lotion with no fragrance and minimal ingredients is a preferred lubricant for wounds.
Don’t use antibacterial ointment (unless there’s an infection)
With antibiotic resistance on the rise, the days of using antibacterial ointment with every cut and scrape are over. Unless you suspect there is an actual infection developing, skip the ointment.
Do seek medical attention if:
- your wound is the result of an animal bite or rusty object;
- your wound is deeper than ¼ inch and doesn’t stop bleeding after five minutes of applying direct pressure;
- your wound is jagged with edges that are far apart, possibly requiring stitches or skin glue;
- you have a facial lacerations that may require cosmetic surgery to repair;
- you suspect an infection is developing in your wound; or,
- you have a wound that is not improving (or it’s getting worse) after two weeks of at-home care.
While wounds may start as only skin-deep, there’s the potential for them to cause much bigger health issues if not kept in check. Keep a close eye on your wounds and don’t hesitate to seek medical attention for any of the listed reasons, or if something simply doesn’t seem right to you.
Reach out to your PCP, visit ゲートウェイの即時ケア or contact the Hancock Health Center for Wound Healing to get the support you need.
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