Do you know that your skin is the largest organ? This organ gives you a unique identity while shaping your confidence. In addition, your skin is essential in protecting your inner body organs from external conditions. However, a break in this organ can interfere with its normal functioning. For example, wounds will cause an entry of germs that can trigger infections. While minor wounds often heal faster, they can deteriorate, especially when you have conditions like diabetes. Therefore, you should embrace the necessary measures whenever you notice an opening on your skin. Here are the basic steps that wound care specialist Tamarac recommends for caring for wounds.
Wash Your Hands
Do you remember all the surfaces you touched with your hands since morning? Before the day ends, you will have touched different surfaces which could have germs and bacteria. When cleaning your wounds, washing your hands first is a good idea. This measure will help alleviate agents that could have caused wound infections. Use soap and rub your hands under clean water for at least twenty seconds.
Stop Bleeding
After cleaning your hand, you should cease bleeding from the wound. Apply gentle pressure on the wound to facilitate a blood clot. Be sure to use a clean bandage while compressing the skin area with an opening. Besides, you should elevate the wounded body part for a few minutes. This practice will allow gravity to prevent blood flow to the wounded region. Consequently, you will notice slowed bleeding.
Wash the Wound
To many people, washing the wound is enough to send chills down the spine. However, how you clean the opening on the skin dictates the sensation on that wound. Always be gentle while washing your skin. This exercise will help to prevent a stinging sensation while removing dirt. Cleaning your wound is necessary to create a conducive environment for healing. After washing the wounded site, you should dry the region to prevent fungal infection.
Cover the Wound
The scratch on the wounded skin can prolong the healing. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the wounds from the outside elements. If you have a minor wound, a simple bandage will do good in covering the skin opening. Otherwise, the sterile dressing should be best if you have moderate-sized wounds. You should avoid tightening the skin area when dressing the wound to promote blood circulation.
Change the Dressing
Sometimes, dirt may accumulate on the dressing pad. It would help if you replaced the dressing once every day. When replacing the pad, ensure that your hands are clean. Also, it would help if you observed the healing progress closely. Visit your doctor if you notice unusual symptoms, such as yellowish discharge. The doctor will diagnose the underlying causes of those symptoms and recommend the necessary treatments.
A break on the skin is one of the worst experiences. You will have discomfort due to bacterial infections on the wounded site. The progression of the skin opening can also make the wounded site unsightly, thus reducing your confidence. Fortunately, taking good care of your wound can help promote healing. For example, you should wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning your wounds. Dressing your wounds with the right pad is necessary to avoid further infection. However, you should consider relevant medical intervention if you notice that your wound is taking longer to heal despite the above measures.
