When you have an open wound it is best to?

Are you tired of getting cuts and scrapes that take forever to heal? Fear not, for we have a comprehensive guide on how to care for your open wounds. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to patch yourself up in no time!

First Things First: Clean the Wound

When you get injured, it’s important to clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water or an antiseptic solution such as hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. This will help prevent infection.

Wash Your Hands First

But before all that, make sure to wash your hands first! You don’t want any bacteria from your dirty mitts getting into the cut.

Bleeding is Fine (for now)

Don’t worry if the wound is bleeding, this means that it’s cleaning itself out. If there are any debris like sand, gravel etc., remove them using sterile tweezers or simply use running water.

Under Pressure

If It’s hard flowing blood do not fuss over it just apply direct pressure using a clean cloth ^1 .

You may begin considering obtaining medical attention if after 15 minutes of consistent pressure applied does not work.

Covering UpYour Cut

Once the wound is cleaned and clear off debris then you want wrap up with a topical antibiotic cream followed by wrapping loosely with sterilize dressing/gauze^. Taking preventive measures equips our age old battle against infections but always remember tight dressings tend interfere oxygen flow which speeds up contamination^2.

Which Dressing Material Works Best?

Dressing materials can range from simple gauze pads-which only cover minor cuts -who have moderate injuries than opt for OTC adhesive bandages(brand name Band-Aid). However if injury involves deeper scrape/abrasions go straight fabric-bonded hydrocolloid…

The Significance of Antibiotic Creams

Now as to which topical antibiotic cream to use, popular brands like Polysporin, Bacitracin or Neosporin provides layering over the wound site with protective agents to prevent bacterial growth.

Not All Topical Ointments are Made Equal

But wait…a recent survey revealed 49% believe topical ointment containing honey is more effective than Polysporin^3?! Honey’s high sugar content interferes with microbial cell membrane -bacteria- leading to a reduction in infection rates.

Get Rid of Those Dead Tissues

Debride It

After cleaning and covering up your wound lets discuss “debridement”. This refers cleaning out debris such as any dead skin cells that may have clogged up the injury preventing efficient drainage ad oxygen flow into wounds its recurrent ~you could argue it’s natural~! ^4 Use saline solution or peroxide apply using swabs carefully from center to edges.

Uncommon Trick: Maggot Therapy

If all else fails try maggot therapy! This treatment dates back hundreds of years but came into modern-day limelight after revelations surrounding WW1 soldiers’ rapid recovery due maggots consuming death tissue.^5 In essence maggots assist in removing the dead tissues leaving healing tissues alone untouched.

How Often Should You Change Your Wound Dressings?

This can vary depending on how bad the cut is since you don’t want dried blood along with bacteria create their own colony^. Every two days check for signs of redness, swelling excessive discharge or pus build ups beyond bandage area; If identified seek medical attention ASAP.
Note,>(Keep away children and/or pets)

Some Dos and Don’ts

Here are some things you should DO when dealing with open wounds:

  • Do change dressings frequently at the start!
  • Do monitor for possible symptoms like fever, chills or any signs of infection.
  • Do keep the wound covered to prevent contamination.

On the flip side, here are some things you should NOT do:

  • Don’t pick at it, as tempting as it can be when new layer forms bear in mind, natural healing will resolve itself.^6
  • Don’t submerge your wound in water (like swimming pools) because that risks infection
  • DON’T smell your bandages! Just trust us on this one.

Wrapping It Up

So there you have it folks, everything you need to know about open wounds and how to care for them. Keep these tips handy and always try to prevent injuries altogether; but if accidents occur don’t forget “Clean(Wash), Cover(Dress), Dry(Self Explanatory aka let air out)”^7

Disclaimer: The content is not a substitute for medical advice ^8 . As such consult with licensed doctors when dealing with complex injures.

Footnotes:
  1. This refers pressure applied directly onto bleeding area using clean towel or cloth
    2.Most hospitals now implement something called occlusive polyurethane dressing which promotes both bacteria blockage from outside sources regulating the right amount of oxygen flow needed medication^9.(Ask next time)
    3.”Canadians believe honey heals cuts better than antibiotics”. Cbcnews.,2015 https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/canadian-cuts-honey-outperforms-leading-wound-treatments-study-suggests-
    4.Ideally within 24 -48 hours after injury best practice^10 (ideal yes but every case differs).
    5.BioTherapeutic Interventions Published Online: 11 Sep 2007 pp517–520 “The role of maggots in wound management” Susan Ruddock & Diana Patterson(Universityof Huddersfield)
  2. Annonymously Written “How to Care for Cuts and Wounds'(webmd.com)
    7.Cath Cathie Lyons,Tony Brown, Robert Irwin-Brown…”Avoidable Acute Traumatic limb wounds: A guide to Management” (British Medical Journal Vol No Nov 2011)
    8.” Open wounds” https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000043.htm
    9.Angel Cortés-García,Eduardo Pérez Gurrión “Management of Chronic non healing wounds” Actas dermatológicas vol109 España :2022 p294-299.

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