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Significant Impacts Of Wound Cleaning

By Lora Jones


Patients with several types of body injuries can greatly benefit from wound cleaning. Victims with body injuries that have not healed within the expected time frame of three to four weeks develop acute infections. The infected body injuries can be postoperative, traumatic or of unknown etiology. The victim must keenly follow the universal safety precautions, and use personal protective gear if available. Properly sanitizing the injured part and rushing to a medical facility is also imperative.

Once bleeding is controlled, the affected area is carefully sanitized using plenty of water and soap. Liquid soaps are very effective when carrying out this procedure. Rinsing of the entire depth of the cut should also be done to ensure no traces of soap remains around the affected area. Salty water is usually recommended for the rinsing process. This is because fresh water may tend to sting at times.In addition, salty water can be used to clean an infected eye. Salty water is therefore a vital component of a first aid kit.

It is important to rinse out the cut with clean water before applying any ointment. If soap irritates the injury, keep it out of the actual cut. If dirt and debris persists after washing, tweezers cleaned with alcohol should be used to remove the particles. Thorough cleaning lowers chances of getting infections and tetanus. Sanitizing a cut using iodine or hydrogen peroxide containing cleanser is usually recommended.

A cut must be extremely clean and dry before being dressed. A visibly contaminated gash should not be dressed. In case one cannot get a cut clean, it is advisable to leave it open and seek further medical attention. An antiseptic ointment should be dabbed on the affected area to keep germs away after bleeding has stopped. It should be then covered with an adhesive dressing. In case body hair gets in contact with an adhesive dressing, wrap the edge loosely with broad roller gauze. Dressing should be changed every twelve hours.

The most important thing to do when confronted with an open cut is to ensure bleeding is controlled. Sanitizing an open cut occasionally causes bleeding of a healing cut to start. Although the bleeding may be minor, it must be stopped so that the condition of the cut does not worsen. The open cut can then be dressed once bleeding has stopped.

Bandages can ensure the cut remains clean, and harmful bacteria are not cause further infection. Exposure to air speeds up healing once the injury has healed enough to make further infections unlikely. Dressing should be changed daily, or whenever it becomes dirty or wet. Individuals who are allergic to adhesives present in most bandages should use sterile gauze or adhesive-free dressing.

Antiseptic ointment should be then applied over the entire enclosure before it is totally covered with a bandage. In case bleeding does not stop, it is recommended to seek medical attention. However, the patient must ensure the affected area is shielded from external forces that can hit it and cause fresh injuries.

Wound cleaning, therefore, play an significant role in preventing infections which is the most common complication of an open injury. In case a victim experiences fever, swelling around the wound, numbness and red streaks around the wound, it is advisable to seek urgent medical attention. Proper care for injuries is, therefore, extremely significant for all patients.




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