Almost everyone will have an open wound at some point in their life. Most open wounds are simple and can be treated at home. Falls, sharp object accidents and car accidents are the most common causes of open wounds. Now when not treated correctly, they can affect your health to the point where you end up in hospital. Wounds are gateways for microorganisms and can trigger a very serious inflammatory process, if not treated in time and with attention. Read out below to know why is it necessary to cover a fresh wound.
The primary symptoms are – yellowish or foul-smelling discharge from the wound, aggravation of pain, redness and local swelling, changes in the size and color of the wound, and fever. Treatment will depend on the type of injury the patient has. It is possible that the responsible physician will give you complimentary or anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief.
The fact is that each wound has special care. If you don’t cover a fresh wound, the wound may cause serious issues, such as accumulation of dirt, exposure to air, growing of microorganisms, further chances of getting hurt, etc.
Tips and tricks to heal fresh wound faster
Here, we bring you some essential wound care and healing tips for the healing to be the best possible. Don’t be afraid to sanitize the wound. Bathe with antiseptic soap, or antimicrobial solution, using a soft sponge. Cleaning should be done whenever you take a shower, even twice a day. Do not drop water with shampoo on the wound as it may cause infection. Dry thoroughly without leaving the wound moist.
Moisture contributes a lot to infection. To dry the wound, always use a cotton cloth separate from the one you use for the rest of the body. If the wound is healing well, there is no need to cover it. If there is pain in the area, consult with your doctor, who will be able to guide you in the best way, including whether or not the medication is needed.
Assess the severity of the injury
It is necessary to know if the injury is minor and can be treated at home. On the contrary, if it is a more serious injury that requires the intervention of a specialist. You should see a doctor in the following cases –
- When despite pressure the bleeding does not stop,
- When the wound cannot be cleaned properly or if there is some type of object inside it,
- If the wound is large or deep and it is suspected that you might need stitches.
Stop the bleeding
If the wound bleeds, the first step is to stop the bleeding by applying pressure. It is very important to wash your hands well before handling it to avoid infection. The bleeding should be stopped by compressing, until a clot forms and the bleeding stops. If the wound has been on a limb, it can be elevated to decrease blood flow. It is also important to show calm and serenity. Cover the wound if you cannot treat the wound at home, but need to visit the hospital.
Clean the wound
Cleaning the wound is very important to prevent infection. The lesion can be washed with running water or saline solution. Care should be taken to clean the wound from the center to the edges, so as not to accumulate dirt residues in the injury. The wound should not be rubbed to remove dirt. It is also not convenient to use soda or homemade soap since this product is good for washing inert materials. After cleaning, soak the moisture with cotton. The wound should be disinfected by applying antiseptics, which have a disinfecting and fungicidal effect.
Cover the wound
Although there is a belief that wounds heal better outdoors, injuries should be covered to avoid infections caused by bacteriological agents from outside. Besides, the effect of the sun’s rays can produce an inflammation of the wound area and have negative consequences on its healing.
Monitor the evolution of the injury
It is convenient to monitor the wound for 24-48 hours after the injury occurred, to detect if there are signs that may indicate infection (heat, pain, redness, pus discharge, fever, etc.). After that time has elapsed, the risk of infection decreases, and the most normal thing is for the wound to heal without problems. Sometimes the wound is more serious and requires cures that include cleaning, disinfection, and covering.
Types of open wounds
At the moment when skin scrapes or rubs against another hard surface, an abrasion occurs. The rash is an example of abrasion. On the other hand, a deep nerve cut in the skin is known as a laceration. Accidents with knives, tools, and machinery are frequent causes of lacerations. A piercing is a small hole caused by a long, pointed object, such as a fingernail or needle. An avulsion is a partial or complete rupture of the skin and tissue. Small wounds can be treated at home. A home care professional will help you to take care of the problem as efficiently and quickly as possible.
