Skin tissue is strong and resilient, but once a break in the skin or a sore develops, it can be difficult to heal. Your overall health status, the nature of the injury and steps you take to promote healing determine how long -- and how well -- skin tissue heals. While there are a number of ways to promote healing at home, always seek medical attention if a wound is ½-inch or longer; is deep enough that you see muscle, fat or bone; bleeds profusely; or despite good home care, becomes swollen, warm and seeps pus.
Step 1
Rinse inside the wound with cool water. Limit running water to a gentle flow or use a cup and clean the area, pouring cool water over the exposed tissue.
Step 2
Clean any dirt or debris from skin tissue outside of the wound with a damp washcloth and mild soap. Pat the area dry with a soft, lint-free towel.
Step 3
Dip a tweezers in rubbing alcohol and use it to remove debris inside the wound, if rinsing does not clean it out completely.
Step 4
Look at the severity of the injury and determine whether you need to use a bandage or an antibiotic cream. Exposure to air can promote healing if the injury is minor, is in an area where clothing cannot irritate it or if you can keep the skin tissue from getting dirty. If not, cover the skin tissue with a bandage, making sure to replace it at least once each day to ensure the skin tissue stays clean and dry. Cover with an antibiotic cream if damage involves scraping over a large area and you want to reduce the risk of scarring.
Step 5
Provide the raw materials your body needs to heal. Thus, create meal plans that ensure you get at least one serving each of foods rich in vitamin A and C and two to three servings of protein each day. Good vitamin A and C choices include dark green, leafy vegetables; orange or yellow vegetables; fortified dairy products; citrus fruits; tomatoes; and such vegetables as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprout and cabbage. Good protein choices include beef, fish, poultry, pork, veal, lamb, eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt, dried beans and peas, nuts and seeds.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid using soap or cleansing solutions such as hydrogen peroxide to clean exposed skin tissue. These can increase irritation and actually slow the healing process.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Soap, mild
- Towel
- Tweezers
- Rubbing alcohol
- Bandage
- Antibiotic cream
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