Nurses, doctors and surgeons, all provide wound care in every healthcare setting. However, do you think knowing how to take care of a wound shouldn’t be limited to healthcare professionals? Of course, not. Every individual needs to know the basics as accidents and injuries can happen unexpectedly. If not taken care timely, wounds can attract germs, leading to infections.
Proper wound care using dressing tape not only reduces a patient’s pain but also promotes healing as quickly as possible. Besides, to prevent coming back to the hospital, effective wound care requires proper education. Wondering how to take care of a wound? Worrying about the do’s and don’ts? Well, for effective results, here is everything you need to know.
Whether a deep cut or a minor injury, every wound requires immediate attention. To help you recover fast and take quick action, here are the best practices you need to follow for effective wound care:
It is important to know about your wound injuries, whether it’s you, your child or somebody else. Some of the common wound injuries include:
● Cuts
● Scrapes
● Skin tears
● Sharp object injuries
● Sed sores
● Ulcers
● Scratches and others.
It is important to determine how dangerous the wound is. While heavy bleeding or an absent pulse requires a doctor’s attention, you can treat normal cuts on your own. However, it is important to know the simple procedures.
Treating a wound? Never neglect washing your hands before doing that. Nonetheless, it is a vital step, as it prevents infection and also aids in faster recovery. Check the steps below-
● Remove watches or rings and then lather soap or wash your hands with an antibacterial hand gel for 15 seconds.
● Check the skin on your fingers, and rub and scrub them gently. Also, scrub the skin areas near and under the nails and wrists.
● Finally, rinse everything thoroughly with clean water. Then take a clean towel and dry it.
Hopefully, by now it is clear to you that hand hygiene is crucial in preventing wound infections.
Mostly, minor cuts and scrapes stop bleeding quite quickly, if not, then don’t panic. A small amount of bleeding is beneficial since blood helps clean wounds. Besides, you can still aid them by using gauze or a tissue and applying gentle pressure. If blood seeps through, cover the area using more gauze or tissue. However, make sure to not remove the previous one, as you may separate the wound, causing further bleeding.
Once the blood stops or the flow is reduced, soothe the wound using cool water. Make sure to clean your wound gently and do not hasten the process.
● Opt for alcohol-sterilized tweezers to remove small stones or splinters if any.
● Clean the wound and the surrounding area with soap and a washcloth.
● Also, make sure to use fresh and clean water.
● Avoid using soap or alcohol that is irritating.
Besides, every individual needs to have a handy first-aid dressing kit near them, be it at home or office.
Even after you are done with the wound cleaning process, don’t assume that your job is over as the next step is to apply antibiotic creams or ointments. These medications keep the wound moist and also reduce the chances of infections. If you decide to use either of the two, make sure to apply a thin layer of the antibiotic to the wound. However, if you notice rashes coming out, then stop using the ointment immediately.
The next step is to cover your wound with a bandage as your clothes may be rubbing against it. Besides, if a scrape or cut is left unattended, it may reopen and get infected sooner than you expect. If in doubt, you can also cover your wound with an adhesive bandage or a dressing tape. This prevents bacteria from getting inside, thereby reducing the chance of infections.
Remember, to change or replace your coverings daily for faster recovery. Are you experiencing blistering or itching under your bandage? Most of us face this, right? What you can do is instead of using an adhesive bandage, go for a sterile gauze or a paper tape. It will even help you more if you have sensitive skin. Apart from that, check if your covering has become wet or dirty. If so, then change it.
Wounds sometimes can take a long time to heal. In some cases, it may become infected or may also stop the healing process. Therefore, it becomes crucial to pay attention to the wound and its stages. So look for healing signs, to know if your wound care is going in the right direction.
Besides, looking for healing signs, also keep an eye on signs of infections. This includes:
● Skin redness
● Green or yellow fluid
● Increased warmth
● Body aches
● Chills
● Fever
● Tenderness around the wound.
For instance, if you notice any signs of infection near or on the wound, immediately call a doctor. Seek professional help as soon as possible even if notice changes in the colour of the wound, if the pain increases or swelling.
Proper wound care requires close attention, be it a minor injury or a major one. To help you avoid complications and further risks, here are some pro tips to follow:
● For cleaning the wound, always use mild soap and water or a saline solution.
● Always choose the appropriate dressing depending on the severity of your wound.
● Remember to change dressings frequently and keep the area sanitary.
● Use appropriate dressing tapes to create a moist environment and faster healing.
● Regularly check your wound for signs of infections.
● Avoid using harsh cleaning agents or alcohol-based solutions.
● Avoid your temptation to pick at scabs or peel off healing tissue.
● When dressing, don’t apply excessive pressure.
● Don’t neglect any signs of infections.
At Medguard, we are the leading supplier of life-saving kits to first-aid dressing kits. We have everything in one place and keep ourselves well-stocked to cater to all your needs. From hospitals, home care, clinics and to handling emergencies, we have a wide variety of healthcare products from reliable brands. For more, you can consult with our management and support team.