An open wound is an injury that causes break in the skin. Taking good care of your wounds — cuts, abrasions, bites, laceration — help the wounds heal faster. If left unattended, an open wound is susceptible to infection, more during the rains, when healing takes longer.
Heal the wound!
- Keep the area clean and dry for it to heal faster and minimise scarring.
- Change dressings regularly as per doctor’s instructions. Do not tie the bandage too tight or loose and keep a few things like sterilised gauze, iodine, antibiotic cream, cotton, etc. handy.
- Avoid any exposure of the wound to water and rain-water.
- During rains, it’s difficult to keep the area dry, specially, if the wound is on the foot. If travelling in the rains cannot be avoided, then waterproof it by tying a rubber or plastic strip on and around it. Do not tie it very tightly.
- The skin tends to peel and become dry after surgery. A thin coat of medicated mositurising ointment will reduce the itchiness around it.
- Report to the doctor immediately incase of redness, pain or swelling that gets worse. It is normal for wounds to drain fluid for a few days after surgery, but if the pus is yellow or green or emanates a foul smell, alert the doctor immediately.
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It’s very important to carefully clean a wound. Proper cleaning removes any foreign material, reduces the risk of secondary infection and minimizes any potential scarring.
To clean the wound:
* Rinse the wound with clear water. Running tap water can be used.
* Remove any foreign material in the wound (such as dirt, gravel or glass) by using tweezers if necessary.
* Ideally, clean the wound with a sterile gauze.
* Avoid using cotton wool.
* If the bleeding restarts, apply firm pressure.
* Most first aid kits include sterile or antiseptic wipes which can be used to clean the wound.
