How To Dress A Wound Properly
Wound dressings are used in application to minor and major wounds that are incurred by patients. Not to be confused with bandages, dressings are intended for direct contact to a wound while bandages are designed to keep the dressings firm and avoid slippage. The application of a wounds dressing may be due to any number of reasons, including the following: to abate blood flow, provide relief from pain, enhance the healing process, protect the wound from infection, remove foreign particles, and to absorb any fluids discharged from the wound.
One important aspect of a dressing’s usefulness is the ability to prevent infection. While the wound itself may be particular cause for concern, the potential infections that could enter the body through the wound opening may be more serious. Most wound infections are caused when a large number of bacteria manage to get into the wound. These bacteria attach to the skin tissue, slowing the healing process and causing irritation. A bacterial infection can be recognized from symptoms including draining pus, redness around the area of the wound, increased tenderness, increased pain, or a strange smell coming from the wound. Proper techniques for cleaning a wound and proper use of the dressings and bandages can reduce the likelihood of infections festering in the wound.
There are many different types of dressings available and many objects or substances have been improvised to act as solutions when an actual dressing is not available. Spiderwebs, honey, and even dung have been used as a wounds dressing in extenuating circumstances. Prefabricated dressings are also available. One such solution is the antibacterial silver wound dressing. When used quickly after an injury happens, patients have reported that swelling and pain are greatly reduced. Another possible treatment solution is the application of a gel wound dressing. These dressings are comprised of silicon fibers that naturally aid to promote skin cell growth and can be absorbed by the body while the wound heals. In this case the outer bandage is the only part that needs to replaced on a normal basis.
Many people have been known to dress wounds without any formal training, but true knowledge of how to use dressings properly is a skill of first aid. To begin the wound should be cleaned with running water. Any foreign objects (rocks, dirt, etc.) need to be removed with the use of tweezers. The area around the wound should also be cleaned with soap, but the infection care should be taken to avoid contacting the soap with the wound as it may cause irritation. Hydrogen peroxide should not be used as there is no direct benefit from application of the substance. After cleaning the wound, a layer of neosporin or other ointment should to applied to facilitate rapid healing. Gauze should be wrapped around the area of the wound tightly, but not too tight as to limit blood circulation. A bandage should be placed around the wound dressings to keep the dressing firmly in place.