Ouch! Best ways to take care of wounds at home
The best thing for a wound is to let it breathe, right? Wrong. Here’s what you should do instead to help it heal faster and minimise the risk of infection.
Our skin is the body’s largest organ – and our first line of defence against infection.
If we cut, puncture or graze it, the body springs into action to seal the break.
But sometimes things don’t go to plan, according to a new Australian Medical Association report, which shows nearly half a million Australians suffer from chronic wounds every year.
Proper wound care at home is important to reduce the risk of infection and minimise scarring.
Here’s how to give the healing process a helping hand.
Wound care 101
Wound Wise wound management nurse Melinda Brooks says you should always keep wounds clean and covered.
“There’s a big misconception out there that you should leave a wound open to the air to promote healing,” Melinda says.
“That may be OK for very minor wounds but, in general, wounds heal faster in a warm, moist environment.”
Dressing the wound also lowers the risk of infection.
“Always keep your dressing dry, and change it when it becomes 75 per cent dirty,” Melinda says.
7 steps to basic wound care at home:
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Use a paper towel to stop any bleeding.
- Rinse the wound in clean water.
- Gently remove dirt with a clean, moist cloth.
- Only apply antiseptics if there are signs of infection.
- Change the dressing if it loosens, or gets wet or dirty.
- Keep the wound bandaged until it has healed completely.
How to promote wound healing
“There are multiple risk factors that will prevent wound healing and many of those – for example, age, pre-existing medical conditions and essential medications – may be beyond your control,” Wounds Australia wound care clinician Hayley Ryan says.
However, Hayley says there are some simple ways to help promote healing.
“Eat a healthy diet to give your body the nutrients it needs to heal – specifically, a high-protein diet will aid wound healing,” she says.
“Exercise to improve blood flow and, where possible, avoid non-essential anti-inflammatory medications that interfere with immunity.”
- Powerful protein: 10 best sources that don’t contain meat or dairy
When to see a doctor
“If a wound is showing signs of deteriorating or becoming chronic, don’t delay in getting proper medical attention from a wound specialist or GP,” Hayley says.
She says these are the signs to watch out for:
- The wound fails to heal, heals slowly or recurs.
- The area is swollen, hot and painful.
- The wound smells unpleasant or has a thick, yellowish discharge.
Want to learn more?
Melinda says if you want to learn more about wound management, a first-aid course is a great place to start.
“These courses cover wound care for things like burns, cuts and serious injuries,” she says.
“They are excellent for anyone who wants to better understand the basics of wound care.”
- Treating burns: 5 common myths and what to do instead
Written by Dimity Barber.
