The Best Way To Clean A Wound

Most wounds like cuts and scrapes are treatable at home, as long as you know the best way to clean them. It involves five simple steps: 1) Stop the bleeding if it hasn't already stopped on its own. Most minor wounds stop bleeding quickly, but those that don't require pressure. Use a bandage or a piece of clean cloth to gently press on the affected area, the Mayo Clinic recommends. Elevating the wounded area also helps. The bleeding should stop within half an hour or less. If it does not, the person might need stitches or other medical help. If stitches are required then there are a couple of precautions to take:rna. Keep the wound closed with butterfly bandages until you can get to an emergency room.rnb. Keep it closed and keep it clean.rnc. There is a about a six hour window to get stitches after the injury to avoid too much contamination, however, can still be given up to about 24 hours.rnd. The longer you wait the less likely stitches will be possible. 2) Rinse the wound. Run it under a stream of water, but don't use soap. The Mayo Clinic warns that cleansing products can irritate cuts and scrapes. Water does a thorough job of cleaning minor wounds, so you don't need to apply a product like iodine or hydrogen peroxide during or after the rinse. If you notice that water is causing the wound to sting then you may also use saline solution. It can sometimes be easier on tender skin. Sometimes while rinsing the wound will begin to bleed again. If this happens just apply pressure once again to stop the bleeding before proceeding to the next step. 3) Remove debris carefully with a pair of tweezers. Most wounds will be clean after you rinse them out, but sometimes little bits of dirt or other material stay behind. Clean the tweezers with alcohol before use. See a doctor if you can't clean out all the debris yourself. 4) Treat the wound with an antibiotic cream. There are plenty of over-the-counter products that help prevent infection in minor cuts and scrapes. They also help the area stay moist, but the Mayo Clinic advises that they don't promote faster healing. 5) Bandage the wound once it's completely cleaned out and medicated. Clean bandages prevent infection until the wound heals enough to protect itself. Take off the bandage once the injury reaches that stage because direct exposure to air finishes the healing process more quickly. You may need to repeat this process again later to avoid infection after the bandage is applied. If needed simply remove bandage and rinse thoroughly again. Then repeat steps 3-5.rnInfection can still happen, even if you know the best way to clean a wound. Watch the area carefully and see a doctor it turns red, swells, drains excessively or is hot to the touch. Deep puncture wounds require a tetanus shot if you haven't had one within the last five years, even if you clean out them out thoroughly.