If you are touching someone else’s open wound, wear medical gloves to protect your hands and prevent the spread of germs. If you don’t have access to soap and water, do your best to wipe off any obvious dirt and use a little hand sanitizer if you have it.
If possible, use sterile saline solution to rinse the wound rather than plain water. You can also use a commercial wound cleaner, such as Constant-Clens, if you have it. [4] X Research source If you have soap, use it to wash the area around the wound. However, try not to get soap directly in the wound, since it can be irritating. Don’t rinse the wound with irritating antiseptics, such as alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals can inflame the damaged tissue and slow down healing.
If the wound does not stop bleeding after you have applied pressure for 10-15 minutes, go to the doctor. The wound may be too deep for you to treat at home.
If the open wound does not stop bleeding after 10-15 minutes, despite elevating it and applying pressure, go see your doctor.
Be careful not to press too hard on the open wound when applying the ointment, especially on any areas that are red or swollen. A special silicon wound dressing is also a good option for keeping your wound moist and protected, which can promote faster healing. You can get these dressings over-the-counter in most drugstores.
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.
Do not take aspirin, as it can cause the wound to bleed.
If the scab is still stuck to the bandage, soak it again until it comes loose. Do not tug or pull on it, as this can damage the wound and make it bleed again. 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. Then, apply antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly directly to the wound or to the bandage to promote healing. Always change the bandage if it gets wet or dirty.
You can also apply ointment to the wound, which can keep the skin moist and prevent it from itching as it heals.
The only time you should take off the bandage is in the shower or bath, as the moisture is good for the wound. Once the wound has healed over with new skin, you can expose it to the air. Continue to bandage it for protection in situations where it might reopen, such as sporting events. 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. [14] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source
There’s some evidence that intermittent fasting can speed up the healing process. [16] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Talk to your doctor about how to fast safely, especially if you have a medical condition such as diabetes.
Delayed wound healing can also be a sign of an infection or an underlying medical condition, such as poor circulation.
Hot Red Swollen Increasingly painful Full of pus
Most bites, from mild to severe, will need to be treated with an antibiotic, such as Augmentin. If you were bitten by a wild animal, you may need to get a rabies shot. Your doctor might also recommend a tetanus shot, especially if you haven’t had one in the last 5 years.
If the cut is small, your doctor may use medical glue to close the wound. If the wound is large and deep, they will use medical thread and a needle to stitch it closed. You will then need to go back to the doctor’s office in about a week to get the stitches taken out.
