Caring for a wound after you suffer one can be something that is challenging. With the current situation in the world, it is harder to get ourselves to a doctor and therefore learning some simple self-care tips at home can be a useful thing.
Today we are going to talk about some of the simple ways that you can treat a wound after you get it, and make sure that it does not become infected. Use these tips to treat yourself as well as people in your household and this will make a big difference and ensure that everyone is happy and healing!
Don’t stick your fingers in it
The first important tip we have for anyone who has suffered a cut or a scrape is to not put your fingers in it. This might seem like common sense, but curiosity often gets the best of us and many of us try to touch a wound to see what it feels like. There are several reasons why this is not a good idea. Firstly, it will hurt! Secondly, putting your fingers on a cut could transfer dirt from your fingers into it. And lastly, any bacteria you have on your fingers could end up in the wound and cause an infection. Play it safe, and if you need to inspect the wound further wear some gloves.
Look for foreign objects
When you fall or injure yourself and get a cut, it is important to check whether there are any foreign objects still inside. If you have fallen on pavement for example, it is likely that some pieces of stone and grit are still in the area and need to be removed. If you fail to check for foreign objects, your skin can heal over the top and this can be incredibly uncomfortable and will need minor surgery to remove. With clean gloved hands, take a look inside the wound and be sure there is nothing there.
Wash it out with saline
Saline is a posh name for salt water. When you suffer a wound at home it is important to create a salt water solution to sterilise the wound. It is important however not to simply pour tap water into a jug and add salt to it. You need to boil a kettle to sterilise the water, let it cool to room temperature, and dissolve salt in it. Salt water is a simple way to clean a wound and will allow you to see the true extent of the damage.
Cover it up overnight
When caring for a wound it is important to have some wound care supplies in your first aid kit. Things such as bandages, scissors and tape are important bits of kit to have and will allow you to cover the wound overnight. Covering your wound for the first night will allow it to be protected against the elements and any bugs. You can then assess whether you are able to bandage it up to let it heal or if you need medical attention.
