Everyone must have experienced injuries, ewhether it's from falling off the bike, tripping, or being cut by a knife. Both big and small wounds, if not treated properly, it can be difficult to heal and even infection.Therefore, take a looksome wound care tips the following.
The wound will certainly cause pain, but the severity will vary, depending on the location, type, and severity of the wound. Deep or extensive wounds require wound care in a hospital or clinic. Meanwhile, minor injuries can be treated through independent wound care at home.
Types of Wounds
Although the basic principles are the same, the wound care steps may differ depending on the type of wound. The following are the types of wounds that are commonly encountered, the following is an explanation:
1. Wound torn or avulsion
Avulsion is the tearing of part or all of the skin and underlying tissue. These lacerations can occur due to gunshots, explosions, serious accidents, or fights. Blood that comes out due to this type of wound is usually fast and profuse, so it needs immediate medical treatment, such as suturing.
2. Stab wound
A stab wound is caused by a sharp, long object, such as a knife, needle, or nail. Although generally do not cause a lot of blood to come 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 a rusty nail, it is advisable to immediately consult a doctor. The doctor will treat the wound to prevent infection, and give a tetanus vaccination if needed.
3. Cuts or lacerations
A torn wound can be a minor scratch, it can also be a deep wound with an irregular shape. These injuries are often found in accidents while driving or working, for example due to machinery. Emergency treatment of this wound, depending on the severity of the bleeding and the affected body part.
4. Cuts or incisions
Flat and sharp objects, such as razors, broken glass, knives, or even paper. In addition, cuts can also be caused by surgical procedures. As with lacerations, the urgency of treating this wound depends on the bleeding condition and the location of the wound.
5. Scratches or abrasions
Abrasion occurs when the skin rubs against or rubs against a rough or hard surface, such as a paved road or cement. Although it does not cause much bleeding, this type of wound needs to be cleaned properly to avoid infection.
How to Treat Wounds Correctly
Minor cuts and abrasions usually don't require medical attention. Enough with the following wound care steps, the skin will heal as usual.
The first step to take is to wash your hands before treating the wound, to avoid infection. After that, just do the following things:
- Bleeding from scratches and minor cuts will usually stop on its own. If not, apply gentle pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. Position the wound facing up.
- Rinse the wound with clean, running water. Around the wound can be cleaned with soap, but not on the wound, to avoid irritation.
- If there are still dirt or objects stuck to the wound after cleaning, use sterile tweezers (which have been cleaned with alcohol) to remove them. If there is still something stuck, go to the doctor for a thorough cleaning of the wound, to reduce the risk of infection and tetanus.
- There is no need to use liquid hydrogen peroxide, red medicine, or antiseptic solutions containing iodine, because it can cause irritation to the wound.
- Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment to help keep the surface of the skin moist. This medicine does not make the wound heal quickly, but it can prevent infection so that the wound healing process can run well. However, if a rash appears on the skin, immediately stop using the ointment.
- Bandage the wound to keep it clean and free from bacteria. If the cut or scratch is minor, there is no need to bandage it.
In addition, some herbal ingredients, such as honey, royal jelly, and aloe vera is also claimed to be used as a herbal medicine to treat wounds. However, its effectiveness still needs to be investigated further.
If the wound is deep, gaping, and shows fat or muscle, go to a hospital or clinic immediately for stitches. In deep or dirty wounds, a tetanus shot may be needed in wound care. Likewise if you have not had a tetanus shot in the last five years.
It is recommended to see a doctor if the wound does not heal, becomes red, swollen, feels increasingly painful, or there is pus coming out.