Proper Care For Cuts And Scratches

Cuts and scratches are a frequent occurrence in daily life and whether you have children or you're just accident-prone you probably find yourself tending to injuries of different severity on a fairly regular basis. Most scrapes and cuts mend on their own with limited care but some might end up getting infected which can considerably compromise the healing process and add further health concerns.

Keeping a wound free from infection as it heals is one of the most significant reasons for treating a wound the moment it's received. By following a very simple process you can make sure that your wounds heal rapidly and remain infection free.

To begin with the initial step of wound care is always to clean the wound thoroughly. It is important to make sure that you rid the area of all dirt and any debris that may be present. Cleaning should take place first with clean water, bottled is preferred and this should be followed by wiping the area with alcohol, alcohol pads, or by pouring hydrogen peroxide over the affected area. Of course, this may sting but is a necessary part of making sure that you are not allowing any toxins to remain in the cut as it heals. In cases of animal bites it is best to follow up with a physician as soon as possible.

Once the area has been cleaned antibiotic cream should really be applied to the wound as this will help to make certain that anything that wasn't washed away will be fought off by the antibiotics and not become infected. Next you will want to make sure to cover the wound with non-stick gauze and then wrap with waterproof adhesive tape to make certain water and dirt do not penetrate the wound as it heals.

Bandages should be changed as required or at least 2 times during every 24-hour period to ensure the wound is healing correctly and to permit some air into the wounded area. Most infections start during the first 2 days and therefore it is essential to keep the area clean especially during this initial period and if any pink starts to form around the cut it is a sign of infection and more cleaning and antibiotic cream ought to be applied. If the area continues to get red, puffy, and sore then you should have the wound looked over by a doctor as quickly as possible to avoid a more serious infection.