“Bandages are helpful tools for keeping your wound clean,” says Minior. “They also help maintain a moist environment that promotes healing. But that doesn’t mean you should put on a bandage and not take it off.”
Wound Care: How to Care for an Open Wound or Cut
Minor cuts, scrapes and burns are common injuries. But do you know the best way to treat those wounds at home?
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Nurse practitioner Evan Minior, CNP, explains the best way to care for wounds at home, and when you should seek medical help.
How to clean a wound or cut
Wash the wound
Before you start, wash and dry your hands.
Then, wash out the wound with a large quantity of warm, soapy water as soon as possible. It’s also OK to get in the shower and let copious amounts of warm, soapy water flow through the wound. Make sure you flush the wound bed thoroughly.
If you’re dealing with a burn, apply a cold cloth or run the area under cold water. Then, wash the burn with soap and water.
Although you may be tempted to use an antiseptic like rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, they may damage surrounding healthy tissue. New tissue is especially susceptible to harsh antiseptics because it’s more sensitive than mature skin.
“When it comes to cleaning superficial wounds, good old-fashioned soap and water is the way to go,” advises Minior.
You can use tweezers (make sure to sterilize with alcohol first) to remove any small pebbles or splinters. But if it’s larger than that, don’t try to remove them on your own. You should seek medical care in this situation.
Cover the wound
You want to use a bandage or dressing on the wound after cleaning. Make sure you gently pat the area dry with a clean towel or washcloth. Then, apply a sterile bandage.
“Bandages are helpful tools for keeping your wound clean,” says Minior. “They also help maintain a moist environment that promotes healing. But that doesn’t mean you should put on a bandage and not take it off.”
You may also want to apply a thin layer of an over-the-counter topical antibiotic or petroleum gel before covering with a bandage. This can help prevent infection and keep your skin moist.
When it comes to a burn, it’s best to leave any blisters that form alone. Those blisters are there to help protect the skin. You can apply a light dressing (bandage) to keep the area clean.
Clean the area each day
Remove the bandage or dressing at least once a day to cleanse the wound. Once the wound has been irrigated and cleaned, apply a new bandage.
In more complicated wounds, like pressure sores, you may have to wash out the wound two to three times a day to help prevent infection.
“People think that irrigating wounds can lead to infection, but that’s just not true,” explains Minior. “The best way to prevent infection is by washing it out more frequently — the solution to pollution is dilution.”
When to visit your doctor or hospital for wound care
You can typically take care of wounds at home without medical intervention. But not always.
If the wound is very deep or it exposes bone, organs or blood vessels, or if it’s bleeding significantly even after you’ve applied pressure, then you should visit an emergency room. If the wound is longer than 1/2 inch, you may need stitches.
You should also head to an urgent care or emergency room if the wound is from an animal or human bite or a dirty or rusty object.
Give your doctor a call doctor as soon as possible if your symptoms worsen, too. This may include worsening pain, new or worsening redness or discharge or fever.
And if it’s been more than 30 days and your wound isn’t healing, it’s time to check in with your doctor.
“If a clinician has treated your wound but your condition hasn’t improved in 90 days, you should consider getting a second opinion, possibly with a surgeon,” says Minior.
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How Should I Clean a Wound?
If you or your child gets a cut, scrape, or burn, it’s important to clean the wound properly right away to prevent infection. Here’s how to do it in five easy steps.
Step 1. Wash Your Hands
Clean your hands using soap and water or hand sanitizer, then put on disposable gloves, if possible. Do this before you touch your wound or treat someone else’s burn, cut, or scrape. Clean, covered hands help prevent infections.
Step 2. Apply Gentle Pressure
This step applies only if the wound is bleeding. Skip this step for burns.
Use a clean cloth or sterile gauze to gently press on the wound until bleeding stops (small cuts and scrapes may not require pressure). Elevate (raise) the affected part, if possible. If blood oozes through the cloth or gauze, leave the covering on the wound. Place another clean piece on top and continue to apply pressure. Seek medical attention right away if:
- The wound is on a child under a year old
- Bleeding is severe or doesn’t stop with gentle pressure
- Your wound has jagged edges
- The cut is deep, gaping, or across a joint
- The wound was caused by a dirty object or was the result of a projectile or something impaling the skin
- The wound was caused by a human or animal bite
- The wound happened on the face or genital area
Stitches are usually needed for cuts longer than ½ inch. If you have a cut on your face that’s ¼ inch or longer, a doctor may close it with surgical glue or sutures.
Step 3. Rinse with Water
You don’t need hydrogen peroxide or iodine products to thoroughly clean a simple cut or scrape. Just follow these steps:
- Rinse the wound in clear water to loosen and remove dirt and debris.
- Use a soft washcloth and mild soap to clean around the wound. Don’t place soap in the wound. That can hurt and cause irritation.
- Use tweezers to remove any dirt or debris that still appears after washing. Clean the tweezers first with isopropyl alcohol. Don’t pick at the wound. If the wound can’t be cleaned, call a doctor.
If you have a burn, rinse the area under cool (not cold) water for 10 to 15 minutes. Or, place a cool cloth on the burn for the same length of time. See your doctor if any large blisters form. Go to the emergency room right away if you have any major burns.
Step 4. Use an Antibiotic Cream or Ointment
Over-the-counter skin antibiotics, like Neosporin or Polysporin, help keep the skin moist and ward off infection. It’s not always necessary to use these if you have a minor cut or scrape. But applying a thin layer can boost your body’s natural healing process and reduce scarring. Doctors may recommend using a topical antibiotic if you have burn blisters that break open.
Some people are allergic to certain ingredients in these products. Stop using the cream or ointment if a rash appears.
Step 5. Bandage the Wound — Sometimes
You don’t need to bandage every boo-boo. If you have a minor scrape or cut, clean it and leave it alone. Otherwise, place a clean, sterile, nonstick bandage on the wound after cleaning it. This helps keep out germs. You can find a variety of bandages and tape at your local drugstore. Paper tape may be less irritating to sensitive skin. Change the bandage at least once a day or when it’s wet or dirty.
Be extra careful to cover any cuts or wounds on areas that tend to get dirty or germy, like your hands or feet. You also want to bandage any wound that would rub on clothing, such as a cut on your knee. Always cover large wounds.
After You Clean the Wound
Don’t pick at any scabs — they’re part of the healing process. Picking at them can leave a scar.
Call your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms. They could mean the wound is infected:
- Increased redness or swelling
- Pain that gets worse
- Skin around the wound feels warm
- Unpleasant odor when cleaning the wound
- Unusual or increased drainage
- Fever or chills
If you have a burn, or a wound that breaks the skin, check with your doctor to see if you need a tetanus booster.
Show Sources
Intermountain Healthcare: “Chronic Wounds.”
Mayo Clinic: “Cuts and Scrapes: First Aid,” “Burns: First Aid.”
Familydoctor.org: “First Aid: Cuts, Scrapes, and Stitches.”
Seattle Children’s Hospital: “Skin Injury.”
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