Keep It Clean and Comfortable
After the initial shock and pain of getting wounded comes the worst part, dessing your wound. Wound dressings are one of the most important parts of wound care. It is necessary to take extra care to clean your wound before simply covering it. If you’re not very careful, the wound can become infected very quickly, causing more problems and discomfort.
Proper Safety Precautions
- Clean your hands thoroughly. Wear gloves if possible.
- If necessary, stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the wound.
- Cleanse the wound, careful not to aggravate it.
- Place enough sterile gauze or dressing over the wound and saturate it thoroughly with water or some type of wound cleanser.
- Gently dab the wound for several minutes to remove any debris that may be embedded in the wound. Rinse the wound with water for at least five minutes. It will also help remove dirt or foreign matter that might be in the wounded area. Use a pair of tweezers if necessary.
- Dry the wound with a clean cloth or gauze.
- In some cases, an antiseptic ointment should be applied to the wounded area before placing a dry bandage or sterile gauze onto the wound.
- Use a dressing pad that is soft, absorbent, and does not stick to the skin. Some dressing pads available nowadays offer comfortable, easy to use and non-adherent varieties.
- Once the wound has been properly cleansed and dressed, change the dressing every day or every few days, depending on the severity of the wound.
The number one thing you need to avoid is infection. Infection triggers inflammation and inflammation causes fluid build up. Observe good hygiene. If infection occurs, consult our specialist.
