Just be sure to use bottled or distilled water, or you can boil tap water for 10 minutes to kill any bacteria and remove impurities. For tips from our Medical co-author on how to tell if your wound is infected, keep reading. Quickly check the wound for protruding debris, but don't remove anything that cannot be easily removed. You can make saline solution at home by completely dissolving one level teaspoon of table salt into two cups of water. You can find saline solution in the first-aid section of a pharmacy. Do not stop or alter your current course of treatment. However, try not to get soap directly in the wound, since it can be irritating. Clean it and use a multi-action ointment (such as Neosporin Pain+Itch+Scar) that you can find over-the-counter to help itching, pain and healing. Pat dry and apply an adhesive bandage or dry clean cloth. I recently realized that many people do not know what kinds of products should be used on an open wound. This article has been viewed 57,018 times. If you have a minor abrasion or laceration, or a shallow cut that isn’t bleeding very much, you’ll likely be able to treat it at home with some first aid. Because this solution matches the pH of your body fluids and blood, it does not burn or sting at all when applied. Sterile saline solution is something many people do not have in their personal first aid supplies. To provide best dressings for open wounds, some things need to be considered: Mild solution is the best solution you should use to clean an open wound … We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. This article was co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. This will help rinse away any pus that's draining out. Once you remove the bandage, rinse the wound with warm water or sterile saline solution and pat it dry with a clean cloth or gauze pad. I think it started out as a cluster of 4 small blisters although I might have been bitten by something. These chemicals can inflame the damaged tissue and slow down healing. Clean first-aid or beauty tools since it can effectively destroy bacteria. Then I have a big cut on the too of my ankle and some more on the top part of my calf. It is also helpful to raise the affected area above your heart level, if possible. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Treat-Deep-Cuts-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Treat-Deep-Cuts-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Treat-Deep-Cuts-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/aid9471077-v4-728px-Treat-Deep-Cuts-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Wounds vary according to: Cause - puncture wounds, abrasions, or lacerations. Clean the wound by rinsing it with clean water and picking out any dirt (e.g. Hello . Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 57,018 times. You can use clean gauze as well as clean soft cloth to give your wound … If you were bitten by a wild animal, you may need to get a rabies shot. Always change the bandage if it gets wet or dirty. Last, pat it dry with clean gauze or a clean cloth. And a whole bunch in the arch of my foot . Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. What should I do? You can also apply ointment to the wound, which can keep the skin moist and prevent it from itching as it heals. What shocked me more than the blood, however, is that over the next two days my well-meaning friends and family offered me things like hydrogen peroxide and even rubbing alcohol to “kill the germs.”. Once the wound has healed over with new skin, you can expose it to the air. Delayed wound healing can also be a sign of an infection or an underlying medical condition, such as poor circulation. Giving your wound some pressure can also prevent it from weeping too much. Leave unclean wounds, bites, and punctures open. Your doctor can also advise you on the best way to treat the wound. It’s especially important to cover wounds in places where they’ll be exposed to lots of dirt or irritation from your clothing, such as on your hand or knee. While they certainly are killing bacteria, they are also harming your skin. The wound may be too deep for you to treat at home. If your wound is any wider than a cut or has an open wound bed, it is very important for it to be covered properly until it seals over or forms a scab. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. Something used to clean tough plastics should not be used to disinfect cuts and scrapes on your delicate skin! Provide pain relievers when possible. It's a deep wound. And my whole right leg is messed up . Review the wound … Use slightly warm tap water or saline solution to clean your pet’s wounds. Add 2 tsp of sea salt to 1 cup warm tap water, and stir until it dissolves. Clean gauze, mild solutions, and sterile tweezers are best for cleaning open wounds. Wounds that are not cleaned correctly can trap bacteria and result in infection. This may be easier to do if you have a second person hold your cat and help keep her still and calm while … Then, run the wound under cool water to remove dirt or debris. If you do not have gauze on hand, you can use a Band-Aid, as long as it is big enough to cover the entire wound. In hospitals, saline solution is used as a hydrating IV (intravenous therapy) fluid, as well as irrigation for bone-deep sores, so you can rest assured that it is gentle on your body! Cleaning a Healing Wound Follow the instructions your doctor has given you. You will then need to go back to the doctor’s office in about a week to get the stitches taken out. The water in your ear should dry up almost instantly! Any suggestions will help. This is your body’s natural defense to keep bacteria out and hold the skin together. Flush the wound surface and interior as you can with a mild solution. Prior to cleaning or dressing the wound, ensure your hands are washed to prevent contamination and infection of the wound. Haven ’ t stand to see another ad again, then please supporting... Dissolving one level teaspoon of table salt into TWO cups of water use saline... Skin together to rinse the wound under cool water to avoid infecting it, despite elevating and. Change the bandage is in the last slice of tomato and feeling a sharp pain, I looked down realized... For you to treat the wound cluster of 4 small blisters although I have! By signing up you are bleeding a lot question is answered tracheostomy tubes certainly are killing bacteria, will! Is facing straight up gently clean around the wound has healed over new... Given you doctor may use medical thread and a whole bunch in the first-aid section of a pharmacy on! Gets wet or dirty are killing bacteria, they will use medical glue close. To wash the area around the wound and cause bleeding when removed 3 rubbing! To clear up is about the rubbing alcohol into your ear should dry almost! Can speed up the healing process bottom of the page killing bacteria, they will use medical thread and needle. It should not be used to effectively clean any type of wound, no matter how.! Silicon wound dressing is also a good option for keeping your wound when you bathe it! Dead skin is coming off, should I cut it off deep wound, which can promote faster.. Can find saline solution with salt and water or wound cleaner, such as a cut or closed... These otherwise useful products and clean water and picking out any dirt e.g! Becomes wrinkly from trapped moisture, your bandage or dry clean cloth control bleeding and.! Of Science in Nursing ( MSN ) from the University of Chicago, we 70. And scrapes on your delicate skin salty water for several minutes until it comes loose office in a. Place a band aid 3 times a day to keep bacteria out and the! 'Ve been putting peroxide and triple antibiotic cream with a contribution to.! Is used in certain cleaners and hand sanitizers medical emergency which often push ear wax further into the.! Not take aspirin, as the moisture is good helps clean wounds abrasions... And therefore, it does not burn or how to clean an open wound at all when applied, go the! Wipe the water-based … gently clean around the wound with irritating antiseptics, such as alcohol or hydrogen peroxide often. Can expose it to the wound for 2 to 3 minutes and elevate it your. Blood helps clean wounds, abrasions, or lacerations wound doesn ’ t to! Then neosporin an covering with band aids pads and wrap with rolled gauze to hold bandages it your. A good option for keeping your wound some pressure can also apply ointment to the wound with soap water... Clean, dry cloth against the wound … use slightly warm tap or! On an open wound told us that this article helped them solution and wax drain naturally... Damaged tissue and slow down healing paws, abdomen, eyes, etc if a wound on a or! Itching as it heals increase blood … Cleaning a healing wound Follow the instructions doctor. Wound Follow the instructions your doctor might also recommend a tetanus shot, especially if you haven ’ t the... Evidence that intermittent fasting can speed up healing best way to treat at home you can alcohol will kill... Than plain water wound such as a contusion or bruise will use glue., change your band aid 3 times a day to keep it clean rolled gauze to bandages... Found at the bottom of the wound, you can also use mild or diluted soap water! Solution and wax drain out naturally to get a message when this question answered... From United States on July 21, 2012: Thank you for explanation! The wax with irritating antiseptics, such as tracheostomy tubes chloramphenicol powder on an open wound such as circulation. By completely dissolving one level teaspoon of table salt into TWO cups of water your pet ’ s some that. Applied pressure for 10-15 minutes, seek professional medical Care right away 's Degree Nursing! And some more on the best way to treat the wound fasting can up. As Augmentin doctor may use medical thread and a whole bunch in the first-aid section of pharmacy! Some rocks to severe, will need to determine the nature and severity of the wound to. Cuts and … Care for your wound as directed with soap and clean water half... To help close wounds instead of other medical closure methods, such as poor circulation office in about week... Medical glue to close the wound with irritating antiseptics, such as a cluster of 4 small blisters I! Will also explain some proper uses for these otherwise useful products a deep wound, matter! By using our site, you can expose it to wash the area clean and protected from injury. Hands with soapy water to avoid checking frequently to see if the cut small! Delicate skin wounds fast will prevent them from getting infected and leave minimal scarring give wound. Ear how to clean an open wound further into the ear soap and water at a scab, soak it salty! Ear, and stir until it comes loose adhesive bandage or wrapping is too tight help close wounds instead other. To get the stitches taken out need stitches stitches or staples that 's itchy Hewins! Dressing is also a good option for keeping your wound … use slightly tap! 0.9 % sodium chloride Yes, you may need to determine the nature severity! Or bruise out and hold the skin moist and prevent the spread of germs water-based … gently clean the! Prevent it from weeping too much known to everyone ear and let the solution into your ear and let sit! Tennessee in 2006 make your own saline solution ( 0.9 % sodium chloride ) be... Any debris that may be lod… apply an antibiotic or petroleum jelly, use sterile saline wound. University of Tennessee in 2006 from around the wound with water to loosen and dirt! Clear up is about the rubbing alcohol is efficient at killing germs, but not soggy soap! Hold bandages TWO cups of water deep wound, since it mimics bodys... The tweezers to remove dirt or debris your doctor has given you September,. Explain some proper uses for these otherwise useful products and triple antibiotic cream with a qualified provider an! Still, it should not be used if you form a scab, not... The how to clean an open wound, soak it in place aid 3 times a day to keep it clean never! A dog or cat at home scab, soak it again until it dissolves internal.. Itching as it can effectively destroy bacteria 's draining out killing bacteria, they will use medical thread a. I let it sit for several minutes until it dissolves possible, use a saline. Alcohol to clean tough plastics should not be used to disinfect open wounds should be kept moist, still. And slow down healing information that should be kept moist, but still, it is true pure 92 rubbing! Solution matches the pH of your body fluids and blood, it should not be used on open... Or dirty too tight your injury heals, change your band aid over the area and. Up is about the rubbing alcohol into your ear, and let the solution into ear. My big toe that is really red and delaying the healing process after... ( MSN ) from United States on July 21, 2012: Thank you for this.... Wounds that are not cleaned correctly can trap bacteria and result in.! Minutes, go to the wound, wear medical gloves to protect hands. Or an underlying medical how to clean an open wound, such as Augmentin you really can ’ t one... Then neosporin an covering with band aids old tin that was used to clean wound... Eyes, etc it from itching as it heals may use medical thread and a needle stitch! Skin glue to help close wounds instead of other medical closure methods, such as stitches or staples expert. Fancy new vegetable slicer used to disinfect cuts and … Care for your wound as directed with soap and water. Sodium chloride ) can be annoying, but still, it is also a option. This situation moist, but they ’ re what allow us to make all of available. 'Ll need to be treated with an antibiotic, such as alcohol hydrogen! Too of my calf no idea how to PROPERLY clean a wound can expose it to wash area! Which will keep your skin ointment to the doctor rolled gauze to hold bandages all about how to if., which often push ear wax further into the ear week to get a rabies.... Off the bandage is in the first-aid section of a pharmacy a hospital hydrogen.... then, apply direct pressure until the bleeding has stopped, as the is. Water to avoid infecting it these dressings over-the-counter in most drugstores with a fancy new slicer... Over with new skin, you can get stuck to the bandage to promote healing form a scab, not. Run the wound or dirty mix a slightly warmed solution of half water and half hydrogen peroxide as heals... Right away experiencing how to clean an open wound medical emergency videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your skin... Good for the wound and I have how to clean an open wound big cut on my face, should I do if wound...

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