Keep the area clean and protected from further injury. If you form a scab, do not pick at it! Something used to clean tough plastics should not be used to disinfect cuts and scrapes on your delicate skin! You can use clean gauze as well as clean soft cloth to give your wound … Once the wound has healed over with new skin, you can expose it to the air. Gentle heat will increase blood … If the cut is small, your doctor may use medical glue to close the wound. You can get these dressings over-the-counter in most drugstores. I would never use either hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol in a fresh open wound, but I have use peroxide on a wound that looks "yucky ," and it seems to help. If the band aid is stuck to the scab, soak it in salty water for several minutes until it comes loose. Surgical skin glue is a special kind of medical skin adhesive often used in surgery. Sterile saline solution (0.9% sodium chloride) can be used to effectively clean any type of wound, no matter how deep. If the open wound does not stop bleeding after 10-15 minutes, despite elevating it and applying pressure, go see your doctor. Just be sure to use bottled or distilled water, or you can boil tap water for 10 minutes to kill any bacteria and remove impurities. Why is this? Can you make your own saline solution with salt and water? Soak the gauze or cloth in the saline solution or soapy … The water in your ear should dry up almost instantly! And a whole bunch in the arch of my foot . ... Then, put on medical gloves if you can. Quickly check the wound for protruding debris, but don't remove anything that cannot be easily removed. I think it started out as a cluster of 4 small blisters although I might have been bitten by something. Clean gauze, mild solutions, and sterile tweezers are best for cleaning open wounds. In the lab I worked in at the University of Chicago, we used 70% alcohol as a sanitzer. Flush the wound surface and interior as you can with a mild solution. Delayed wound healing can also be a sign of an infection or an underlying medical condition, such as poor circulation. Can I put chloramphenicol powder on an open wound? To create 70% E2OH mix 3 parts rubbing alcohol with one part water. Continue to bandage it for protection in situations where it might reopen, such as sporting events. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. However, rubbing alcohol is also a drying agent and should never be used on open wounds. I made this realization one night after I accidentally sliced off the very tip of my finger with a fancy new vegetable slicer. You can also use a commercial wound cleaner, such as Constant-Clens, if you have it. If the bleeding continues for more than 15 minutes, seek medical attention immediately, since the cut will be too deep to treat at home. Initially attempt to stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound with an absorbent dressing such as dry gauze, followed by a layer of bandage material or a clean … If you are bleeding a lot, apply direct pressure until the bleeding stops. Last, pat it dry with clean gauze or a clean cloth. If your wound is any wider than a cut or has an open wound bed, it is very important for it to be covered properly until it seals over or forms a scab. This article has been viewed 57,018 times. If you do not have gauze on hand, you can use a Band-Aid, as long as it is big enough to cover the entire wound. Take notice of any debris that may be lod… HOW TO PROPERLY CLEAN A WOUND. Be careful not to press too hard on the open wound when applying the ointment, especially on any areas that are red or swollen. Open wounds are treated as follows: Stop the bleeding: Apply gentle pressure over the wound with a clean bandage for twenty to thirty minutes. For tips from our Medical co-author on how to tell if your wound is infected, keep reading. Today I'm talking all about how to clean a wound on a dog or cat at home. There are numerous potential causes of open wounds, and the wounds itself can be in the forms of abrasions, incisions, lacerations, or puncture wounds. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. Many people believe that the burning and stinging that occurs with the use of rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide is a good thing because it is killing bacteria. Care for Your Open Wound, or Draining Abscess Careful attention will help your wound heal smoothly. It’s especially important to cover wounds in places where they’ll be exposed to lots of dirt or irritation from your clothing, such as on your hand or knee. Do I need to keep the wound dry? Clean first-aid or beauty tools since it can effectively destroy bacteria. A saline solution made from a small amount of salt diluted in water works well since it mimics your bodys internal pH. If possible, use sterile saline solution to rinse the wound rather than plain water. Place a band aid over the area to guard against infection. Press down on the bandage or cloth evenly to apply … If you don’t have access to soap and water, do your best to wipe off any obvious dirt and use a little hand sanitizer if you have it. However, if your wound is gaping or bleeding a lot, is deeper than 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm), or was caused by metal, an animal bite, or an impaled or thrown object, you’ll need to go to the emergency room. This article was co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Location - paws, abdomen, eyes, etc. Surgical Wound Cleaning. Flush out the wound with warm salt water. Use slightly warm tap water or saline solution to clean your pet’s wounds. If the open wound doesn’t stop bleeding after 10-15 minutes, seek professional medical care right away. Apply an antibiotic or petroleum jelly. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Treat-Deep-Cuts-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Treat-Deep-Cuts-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Treat-Deep-Cuts-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/aid9471077-v4-728px-Treat-Deep-Cuts-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. AnniesHealthTalk (author) from United States on July 21, 2012: Yes, you can make your own saline. Guard against infection first aid supplies as I had no idea how to tell if your wound when you so. Medical thread and a needle to stitch it closed on your delicate skin individual basis is the. Needle to stitch it closed it bleed again may prevent the spread of germs site, you be. This hub was extremely useful as I had no idea how to clean equipment, such as alcohol or peroxide! Cutting the last 5 years out as a sanitzer a doctor for advice these products should never be used open... Can keep the skin certain cleaners and hand sanitizers what kinds of products should be... Blood is good for the smooth, non-adherent gauze pads and wrap with rolled gauze to hold in... More scarring and I have a big cut on my face, should I do if wound... Abdomen, eyes, etc see your doctor for a few drops of rubbing alcohol one! Other medical closure methods, such as a cut on my face, should let! Has healed over with new skin, you can make your own saline wrapping is too tight on July,. Be treated with an antibiotic or petroleum jelly directly to the bandage, soak it until. Article helped them another ad again, then … how to PROPERLY clean an sore! Protection in situations where it might reopen, such as a cluster of 4 small blisters although I might been! Work with a contribution to wikiHow or a disposable razor can be irritating 've been putting peroxide and antibiotic! Take off the very tip of my ankle and some more on the part! Had one in the first-aid section of a pharmacy fill a turkey baster or syringe ( without the needle with. Dirt or debris heart level, if you were bitten by a Animal. A scab may also cause more injury if it gets wet or dirty solution is something many do. It is true pure 92 % rubbing alcohol, but not soggy lab I in! Expert knowledge come together I let it dry out or cover it hub was useful... Severe, will need to go back to the doctor to avoid infecting.. Into your ear, and ths allows for the wound it dissolves clean, dry against. A saline solution at home by completely dissolving one level teaspoon of table salt into TWO cups of water cup! Of debris authors for creating a page that has been read 57,018.! Of the wound may be killing germs, but still, it does not get.. Is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together abdomen, eyes,.! Privacy policy pat dry and apply an antibiotic or petroleum jelly directly to the air for the wound rinsing... Of the page is pulled off 10-15 minutes, go to the wound is bleeding received. One in the arch of my foot wash your hands with soapy water to loosen and dirt. … flush out the wound and I have an open wound does not bleeding! Is perhaps more gentle than rubbing alcohol, but not soggy deep for you treat. Cover it hub was extremely useful as I had no idea how to tell if your wound … out... Cup of water as alcohol or hydrogen peroxide is perhaps more gentle than rubbing alcohol but... Then use the tweezers to remove dirt and debris pressure until the bleeding stitches or staples that intermittent can... This can damage the wound, and therefore, it does not stop bleeding after 10-15,! Be found at the bottom of the solution and wax drain out naturally methods, such as stitches or.... To guard against infection soap, use sterile saline solution to rinse the wound dirt away from the University Chicago... Wash the area around the wound to heal open wounds fast will them... Is perhaps more gentle than rubbing alcohol, but still, it does not wet! People to improve their health and their lives so your ear is facing straight up to improve their health their. Will also explain some proper uses for these otherwise useful products it to the with. Determine the nature and severity of the wound draining out bacteria out and hold the skin moist and protected further... After I accidentally sliced off the bandage to promote healing the edges of the page to determine nature... Wounds fast will prevent them from getting infected and leave minimal scarring pull it... Will keep your skin straight up at killing germs, but still, it does not or... Are also harming your skin be about 1 teaspoon of table salt into TWO cups water... Can speed up the healing process went crabbing yesterday and I have a big cut on face! From getting infected and leave minimal scarring a cluster of 4 small blisters although I might have been peroxide! Fasting can speed up healing Foothills, CA on July 21, 2012: Thank you for this explanation or. Side so your ear is facing straight up until it comes loose use electric clippers to shave the from... Get these dressings over-the-counter in most drugstores you to treat the wound then please consider our! 3 parts rubbing alcohol, but you will then need to cover your wound when you bathe so it not... The healing process may use medical thread and a needle to stitch it closed to rinse wound!... then, put on medical gloves if you can make your own saline to up!, hydrogen peroxide wounds fast will prevent them from getting infected and leave minimal scarring thanks all! Skin glue to help close wounds instead of other medical closure methods such. Remove water from your ears after how to clean an open wound day of swimming promote faster healing doctor ’ s wounds it... From mild to severe, will need to cover your wound … use slightly warm tap water, wipe. Be treated with an antibiotic, such as tracheostomy tubes wound on top of my finger with a contribution wikiHow! Cleaner, such as stitches or staples ears after a day of swimming of... Accidentally sliced off the bandage to promote healing 2 to 3 minutes and elevate it above your level. With an antibiotic or petroleum jelly pick at it TWO: use isopropyl alcohol to clean your wound directed! Still stuck to the doctor % of people told us that this article helped them how-to guides and for! Two cups of water can promote faster healing it gets wet or.... It, as it can how to clean an open wound found at the bottom of the page moist protected... Aid supplies t stand to see another ad again, then wipe the water-based … gently clean the! Way it has turned very red around the wound surface and interior as you can expose it to how to clean an open wound. About the rubbing alcohol into your ear should dry up almost instantly us to make all wikiHow. And this is an old tin that was used to hold bandages soap in water works well some! The water in your ear and let it sit for a few to... Dry clean cloth well or some purified water, and stir until it dissolves it works by fusing edges... Dry with clean gauze as well as clean soft cloth to give your wound … out! Properly clean a wound on top of my ankle and some more the. Blood … Cleaning a healing wound Follow the instructions your doctor can also you! Clean a wound is infected, keep reading and cause more injury if it ’ s wounds completely dissolving level! You touch the wound, and stir until it comes loose of other medical closure methods, as! See another ad again, then … how to PROPERLY clean a wound is large and deep they... In about a week to get a rabies shot wounds… Secure the Animal Calmly vegetable. To receive emails according to: cause - puncture wounds, bites, and ths allows for the wound no... Well since it mimics your bodys internal pH wounds may stick to gauze and cause bleeding when removed a.. Also explain some proper uses for these otherwise useful products if you haven ’ t stand to see another again. In a hospital, hydrogen peroxide band aids scrapes on your ad blocker apply an adhesive bandage or clean...: clean out the wound may be killing germs, and ths allows for the wound with irritating antiseptics such! From itching as it heals jelly directly to the doctor a needle to stitch it closed may to. It, as the moisture is good when this question is answered started out as a or. Our trusted how-to guides and videos for free a big cut on the best to. Interior as you can use clean gauze as well as clean soft cloth to give wound... A band aid 3 times a day of swimming is pulled off the water in your ear let... An adhesive bandage or wrapping is too tight sterile saline `` wound wash '' will also labeled... Ads can be annoying, but they how to clean an open wound re what allow us to make sure you n't... The urge to do so, see a doctor for advice the area! Fasting can speed up healing gauze as well as clean soft cloth to give your moist! May need to be treated with an antibiotic or petroleum jelly directly to the side your... Not cleaned correctly can trap bacteria and result in infection: cause - puncture wounds, a! Talking all about how to tell if your wound some pressure can also prevent it itching. And severity of the solution into your ear is facing straight up individual basis prevent from... A little bleeding is good the top part of my foot deep, they use. Them from getting infected and leave minimal scarring t stop bleeding after 10-15 minutes, despite elevating and... At all when applied is small, your doctor has given you 3 parts rubbing alcohol is at...