While most cuts and lacerations heal with little or no scarring, inadequate or poor care of a wound can leave an unsightly scar. Most scars are preventable, according to a report put out by the American Academy of Family Physicians. There are a number of steps that need to be taken to ensure proper care of a wound to avoid scarring.
Step 1
Identify the source of the cut to determine the chances of infection. The more high risk the source, such as a rusty blade or dirty knife, the more care should be given in the cleaning of the wound before closure.
Step 2
Alert the health care giver providing the treatment of the laceration about any diseases that can lead to an increased risk of infection. Conditions such as diabetes, malnutrition, obesity and steroid use can be signals that extra care should be provided in cleaning and preparing the wound for stitches or covering.
Step 3
Cover a sutured or stapled wound for at least 24 to 48 hours to prevent any further infection. Watch the wound for signs of infection that can cause scarring and other complications such as fever and gangrene. Signals that the wound is not healing properly include warmness and redness around the site or the presence of drainage or swelling from the wound.
Step 4
Continue treatment at home following closure of a laceration by massaging the area on a regular basis. Rub the scar in a circular motion for about three minutes three times a day for three months to alleviate internal swelling that contributes to the presence of scars. Apply a pressure bandage to the area to add to the flattening process.
Step 5
Rub the scar with a silicone-based cream or lotion. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that the cream must be applied regularly on a daily basis for a considerable period of time to reduce the appearance of scarring.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider cosmetic surgery, dermabrasion or cryosurgery if all your efforts failed and you are left with a scar that bothers you. Scars on the face and other obvious body parts can be bothersome. Simple procedures in the dermatologist's office may not remove the scar completely, but they can reduce its blatant appearance.
- People with more pigment in their skin, or people of color, should take extra care in preventing skin wounds, piercings, and surgical procedures because darker skin is more difficult to heal without scarring, reports the American Academy of Dermatology.
Things You'll Need
- Bandage
- Silicone cream
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