Wound Management

How to Disinfect a Wound

 

Any time you experience a wound (any wounds), it is critically important that you meticulously clean and disinfect your injury. This can be a simple cut, abrasion, or mild burn but in order to avoid potential issues down the road following the proper steps to clean the wound is crucial. Allow me to give you a few simple steps on how to disinfect a wound at home and avoid an infected wound.

4 Stages of Wound Healing

If you experience a wound, helping your wound heal as fast as possible can require identifying where you are in the healing process. The goals for wound healing are preventing blood loss, defending/cleaning the area, and repairing or healing the wound and the surrounding skin. The stages of wound healing include:

• Stop the bleeding
• Clotting/scabbing
• Rebuilding
• Maturation

During the wound-healing process, you may ask, “How long does a wound take to heal?” This depends on the type of wound and severity. Open wounds generally take longer than closed wounds, but healing can take a couple of years to heal completely. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, in three months, most wounds are repaired, and the skin is 80% as strong as before.

How to Disinfect a Wound

In order to thoroughly clean and disinfect your wound, you should follow some simple, easy steps to ensure that your wound heals properly and quickly. These steps are:

1. Wash Your Hands Thoroughly

   Be sure to wash her hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer and, if possible, don gloves. This can help minimize the risk of contamination and an infected wound.

2. Apply Gentle Pressure

   If the wound is still bleeding, use sterile gauze or a clean cloth and apply gentle pressure until the bleeding stops. If bleeding seeps through, try elevating the affected area and using a clean gauze on top of any existing gauze.

3. Rinse and Clean the Wound with Water

   To clean your wound thoroughly, it is not necessary to use hydrogen peroxide or iodine. Simply rinse your wound with clear water to loosen and remove any dirt or debris. Use a soft washcloth and some soap to clean the area around the wound, trying to avoid getting soap directly into the wound. If you’re treating a burn, run the wound under cool, not cold, water for 10-15 minutes.

4. Apply Antibiotic Cream/Ointment

   Try using over-the-counter ointment such as Neosporin to keep the area moist and protect it from infection. Topical antiseptics are antimicrobial agents that kill, inhibit, or reduce microorganisms and germs. A thin layer can help your body’s natural healing process and reduce scarring. Sometimes, the best antiseptic for open wounds can include bacitracin. Also, it is often recommended that you apply antibiotic cream if your burn blisters and breaks open.

5. Apply Bandage

   Believe it or not, every wound does not require a bandage. Minor scrapes and cuts typically only require a good cleaning and can be left alone. If a bandage is needed, apply a clean, sterile, and nonstick bandage to your wound after you disinfect it properly.

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When to Seek Medical Attention

Most minor wounds can be treated at home if proper steps are taken. Ask your physician what he/she feels is the best antiseptic for open wounds. You should seek medical attention if:

• Bleeding won’t stop with gentle pressure
• The wound is deep, gaping, or across a joint and has jagged edges
• You suspect germ contamination
• A bite from an animal or even a human

References:

• Wound Care: How to Care for an Open Wound or Cut - Cleveland Clinic 
• How Should I Clean a Wound? - WebMD
• How to Clean a Wound - UPMC 

Author Profile: Kevin Cleary

Reviewed by: Christine Kijek, Registered Colorectal Nurse on August 7, 2024

 

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