Good and safe ways to treat wounds

Everyone must have been injured, whether it was due to falling from a bicycle, tripping, or being cut by a knife. Both large and small wounds, if not properly treated, can be difficult to heal even infections. Therefore, consider the following wound care tips. The wound will certainly cause pain, but the severity varies depending on the location, type, and severity of the wound. Deep or extensive wounds require wound care in a hospital or clinic. While minor injuries, can be treated through wound care independently at home.

Types of injuries

Although the basic principles are the same, the steps for wound care can differ depending on the type of the wound. The following are the types of injuries commonly encountered, the following explanation:

1. Lacerations or avulsions

Avulsion is the tear of part or all of the skin and the underlying tissue. Tearing injuries can occur due to gunfire, explosions, serious accidents, or fights. Blood that comes out from this type of injury is usually fast and a lot, so it needs immediate medical treatment.

2. Stab wounds

Stab wounds are caused by sharp and long objects, such as knives, needles, or nails. Although generally does not cause much blood out, this type of wound can penetrate the skin to injure internal organs. In addition, stab wounds can also cause tetanus. If you are pierced by a dirty object, such as rusty nails, it is advisable to see a doctor immediately. The doctor will perform wound care to prevent infection, and provide tetanus vaccination if needed.

3. Tear or laceration

A torn wound can be a minor scratch, can also be a deep wound with irregular shape. This injury is often found in accidents when driving or working, for example due to the engine. The emergency management of this wound depends on the severity of the bleeding and the affected body part.

4. Incision or incision

Flat, sharp objects, such as razor blades, broken glass, knives, or even paper. In addition, the incision can also be caused by a surgical procedure. Just like a torn wound, the emergency handling of this wound depends on the condition of the bleeding and the location of the wound.

5. Scars or abrasion

Abrasion occurs when skin rubs or scratches rough or hard surfaces, such as paved roads or cement. Although it does not cause much bleeding, this type of wound needs to be cleaned properly to avoid infection.

How to properly treat wounds

Minor injuries and blisters do not usually require help from a doctor. Enough with the following steps in wound care, the skin will heal as usual. The first step that must be done is to wash your hands first before doing wound care, to avoid infection. After that, just do the following:

1. Bleeding from scratches and minor injuries will usually stop on its own. If not, apply gentle pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. Position the wound facing up.
2. Rinse the wound with clean and running water. Around the wound may be cleaned with soap, but not on the wound, to avoid irritation.
3. If there is still dirt or objects stuck to the wound after cleaning, use sterile tweezers (which have been cleaned with alcohol) to pull it out. If there are still stuck, go to the doctor so that you can do a thorough cleaning of the wound, in order to reduce the risk of infection and tetanus.
4. No need to use hydrogen peroxide liquid, red medicine, or antiseptic solutions containing iodine, because it can cause irritation to the wound.
5. Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment to help keep the surface of the skin moist. This drug does not make the wound heal faster, but can prevent infection so that the wound healing process can go well. However, if a rash appears on the skin, stop using the ointment immediately.
6. Bandage the wound to keep it clean and avoid bacteria. If the wound or scratch is small, no need to bandage.

If the wound is deep, open, and visible fat or muscle, immediately go to the hospital or clinic for stitches. In deep or dirty wounds, tetanus injections may be needed in wound care. Likewise, if you have not been injected with tetanus in the past five years. It is advisable to see a doctor if the wound does not heal, becomes red, swollen, feels more painful, or there is pus that comes out.