Any time a break in the skin occurs, there is always the risk of infection. Most wounds heal in a matter of days without any complications if patients care for them correctly. If an open wound does not begin to show signs of healing or becomes red, painful and hot to the touch, it may be infected.
Cleaning
Washing the wound thoroughly will ensure that no dirt or debris is left inside to cause an infection. Mild soap and water are safe for cleaning wounds. Using alcohol or peroxide may damage the tissues further, and patients should avoid using them if possible.
Patients may have to scrub deep or gaping wounds gently with a soft brush to remove debris, pus and dead tissue completely before they reapply bandages.
Patients can wear latex gloves to avoid touching the injured area directly. A caregiver should always wash his hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water before attending to any injury or wound. If water is unavailable, hand sanitizer may be an option.
Ointments and Bandaging
After a patient cleans a wound, she should place a small amount of triple antibiotic ointment on a sterile bandage and place it over the wound. She should not touch the wound or the sterile part of the bandage. A cotton swab may be used to apply the ointment to the bandage to avoid exposing the wound to other agents that could possibly make the infection worse.
The bandage should cover the wound completely. It may be necessary to use a sterile gauze pad and surgical tape to ensure that the wound is completely protected.
Antibiotics and Supplements
Patients should seek the advice of a medical professional if a wound becomes noticeably infected. Red streaks that radiate from the wound toward the heart are an indicator that infection may be spreading. A doctor can prescribe antibiotics to help fight an infection that has begun to move throughout the body. Taking vitamins C and B may also give a boost to the immune system and help the body more easily contain the infection.
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