A Complete Guide on How to Clean an Open Wound

Did you know there was a delay in treating wounds during the pandemic? Proper wound care can help prevent infection. If you want to learn tips on sanitizing a wound, keep reading.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to clean an open wound. Learning to clean a wound effectively and safely can help prevent worse probes.

Ready to learn more? Check out the tips below.

You’ll Need to Wash the Wound

Wash your wound with some soapy and warm water right away. You could hop into the shower and let the water wash over the wound. Make sure to flush the wound of debris.

Do you have a burn? Wash the burn with soapy water. Place a cold cloth or run the area under some cold water.

Some people want to start applying hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. But you should hold off on the antiseptic. This could damage healthy tissue near the wound. New tissue is more susceptible to a harsh antiseptic.

Use tweezers and get rid of splinters or pebbles. If it’s a larger wound, you shouldn’t try to remove them yourself.

Get medical care right away.

You’ll Need to Cover the Wound

Apply a sterile bandage. Pat the area dry with a clean washcloth or towel. Make sure to dress or bandage the wound after you clean it.

Bandages or dressings can help keep your wounded area clean. It will also hold in moisture and promote healing.

You could apply petroleum gel or over-the-counter topical antibiotics. Cover with a bandage. This will keep your skin moist and also prevent infection.

These blisters can help protect your skin. With a burn, leave the blisters alone. Apply a light bandage or dressing to keep the area clean.

Don’t Forget to Clean the Wound Daily

Once a day, you’ll want to remove the dressing or bandage and clean the wound. After cleaning and rinsing the wound, put on a new bandage.

You might need to wash the region a few times a day with a more complicated wound. Washing the wound can help you prevent infection.

Irrigating wounds sometimes mistakenly get believed to cause infection. Yet the most important way to prevent a disease is to wash the wound often.

When Should You See Your Doctor?

If the wound is quite deep or reveals bone, blood vessels, or organs, go to the ER. You might get stitches if the damage is longer than half an inch.

Go to the ER if the wounds are from an animal bite or a rusted object.

Call your doctor if any symptoms worsen. Watch out for redness, worsening pain, or fever symptoms.

Has it been over a month? If your wound isn’t healing, go to your doctor. They can inform you about what next steps to take.

Dealing With Abrasion

Abrasion can occur if the skin scrapes or rubs against a hard surface. Road rash is one example of abrasion. There isn’t much bleeding, but the wound will still need to be cleaned or scrubbed.

Make sure you carefully remove any bits of rocks or dirt from the area.

What About Laceration?

A laceration is a cut or torn skin. Accidents with heavy equipment, tools, or knives will cause lacerations.

In the event of a deep laceration, bleeding is extensive and fast.

Puncture Wound

Punctures will get caused by a pointed object like a needle or nail. A small hole will appear. Bullets will also cause this kind of wound.

A puncture might not bleed as much. But they can often cause significant damage to internal organs.

Even if you only have a small puncture, go see your doctor. Get a tetanus shot so you can avoid infection.

Avulsion

An avulsion occurs from an explosion, gunshot wound, or body-crushing incident. An avulsion is a complete or partial tearing of the tissue or skin. This kind of wound bleeds fast.

Of course, you won’t be able to take care of this kind of wound. Go see a doctor right away.

Dealing With Open Cuts

You can usually continue to treat a minor wound at home. You’ll wash and disinfect the injury so you can remove debris and direct.

You should also put pressure on the wound and elevate the area to help avoid swelling and bleeding.

Minor injuries can heal without an application. Keep the damage clean and dry for five days. If you wrap the wound, always use a sterile bandage or dressing.

You may experience pain with the wound. Take Tylenol as directed by your doctor. Don’t use aspirin because it can prolong or cause bleeding.

You could also apply ice to help with swelling or bruising. Try not to pick scabs. If you spend time outside, use sunscreen. It should have a sun protection factor in the region.

How to Stem the Bleeding

Most of the time, medical professionals suggest you put pressure on the wound. Use a clean bandage or strip of material to help the wound close. You could also look into Hemostatic Agents Blood Clotting Agents.

Understanding How to Clean an Open Wound

Do you now know how to clean an open wound? Rinse the wound thoroughly, and dress it with a sterile bandage.

Don’t apply an antiseptic because you could damage surrounding healthy tissue.

Are you looking for more helpful tips like this guide? Check out our health resources on the blog.