How to Clean a Wound

Wound care can often be done without professional medical care. The steps of cleansing and protecting from infection are simple. The signs for when to seek more professional help are also easily seen. Whether it is a scrape, cut or puncture wound, it is important to keep several factors in mind.

Cleansing

The primary idea in cleansing a wound is to get foreign matter out and do not put foreign matter into the wound. Flush out dirt, germs or bacteria with cool, clean water. Use running water or soak the wound in a tub. Use a mild soap for the skin around the wound but not in the wound. Remember to try to keep from further irritating the tissue.

Foreign Bodies

If visible dirt or other foreign matter is present in the wound, take it out with tweezers and rinse with isopropyl alcohol. Resist using a stronger agent like hydrogen peroxide which can damage healthy tissue and irritate the wound.

Bleeding

Bleeding actually can be good, because it helps flush dirt from the wound. If the bleeding continues, put pressure on the wound with clean gauze, cloth or tissue to stop the bleeding. Raise a wound on an extremity above the heart to help stop bleeding as well.

Covering

If a wound is not under clothing where it will be irritated by rubbing, leave it open, because air will help the healing process. If under clothing or on the hands where it may be infected, apply a sterile dressing and change it daily. Cover scrapes over a larger area and keep them moist with occlusive bandages which are available at your local drug store. They will help speed healing, keep the area germ free and guard against scarring. Antibiotic ointment is not necessary, but it is always a viable option.

When to Get Help

Sometimes there are reasons to get more medical aid. If the bleeding will not stop, the wound is deep or the edges of a wound will not stay together even with steri-strips or butterfly bandages, seek further medical help. Redness, swelling, warmth at the wound and continued pain are all good reasons to see a doctor. With a puncture wound, if you have not had a tetanus shot in the past few years, now is the time to get one. Mayo Clinic staff suggest getting a tetanus booster within 48 hours of a puncture wound.