What is the initial treatment for wounds at home?

Initial Treatment for Wounds at Home

For superficial wounds and abrasions, thoroughly irrigate with running tap water or sterile saline solution until there is no obvious debris or foreign matter in the wound, then cover with an occlusive dressing to promote wound healing. 1

Wound Cleaning Process

1. Initial irrigation:

   • Use running tap water or sterile saline solution 1
   • Avoid antiseptic agents like povidone-iodine as they provide no additional benefit 1
   • Continue irrigation until all visible debris and foreign material is removed 1

2. Wound assessment:

   • Determine if the wound is superficial (epidermis only) or deeper
   • Check for signs of significant bleeding, deep tissue involvement, or foreign bodies
   • Assess for high-risk features requiring medical attention:
     • Animal or human bites (require prompt medical evaluation) 1
     • Contamination with human or animal saliva 1
     • Deep puncture wounds
     • Wounds with significant tissue damage

Wound Covering

1. Apply appropriate dressing:

   • Use an occlusive dressing (film, petrolatum, hydrogel, or cellulose/collagen) 1
   • Occlusive dressings result in better wound healing than dry dressings 1
   • For minor wounds in adults and children over 2 years, a small amount of topical antibiotic ointment may be applied 1-3 times daily 2

2. Dressing management:

   • Keep draining wounds covered with clean, dry bandages 1
   • Change dressing if it becomes wet or soiled
   • Monitor the wound daily for signs of infection

Special Wound Considerations

Thermal Burns

• Cool thermal burns with cold (15° to 25°C) tap water as soon as possible 1
• Continue cooling until pain is relieved
• Do not apply ice directly to a burn as it can cause tissue damage 1
• Leave burn blisters intact and cover loosely with a sterile dressing 1
• For severe burns (>20% body surface area in adults or >10% in children), do not cool if signs of shock are present 1

Bleeding Control

• Apply direct pressure to control bleeding 1
• Pressure points and elevation are not recommended for bleeding control 1
• Commercial hemostatic agents are not recommended for routine first aid use 1

When to Seek Medical Care

Seek immediate medical attention if the wound:

• Is deep, gaping, or has jagged edges
• Has significant bleeding that doesn't stop with direct pressure
• Contains embedded dirt or foreign objects
• Shows signs of infection (redness, swelling, increased pain, warmth, foul-smelling drainage, or fever) 1
• Was caused by an animal or human bite 1
• Is contaminated with human or animal saliva 1
• Involves the face, joints, tendons, or nerves

Wound Infection Prevention

• Maintain good personal hygiene with regular hand washing, particularly after touching the wound 1
• Avoid reusing or sharing personal items that have contacted the wound 1
• Keep the wound clean and properly covered
• Monitor for signs of infection (redness, swelling, increased pain, warmth, foul-smelling drainage, or fever) 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Over-cleaning or aggressive scrubbing - This can damage healing tissue
2. Using hydrogen peroxide or alcohol - These can damage healthy tissue and delay healing
3. Leaving wounds uncovered - Occlusive dressings promote better healing 1
4. Removing scabs prematurely - Allow scabs to fall off naturally
5. Ignoring signs of infection - Prompt medical attention is needed if infection develops 1
6. Using adhesive bandages on hairy areas - This can cause pain and damage skin when removed

Following these evidence-based guidelines for home wound care will promote optimal healing and reduce the risk of complications such as infection or delayed healing.