Contents:
- Medical Video: How to care for a healing wound
- What happens when a wound?
- Why can't open wounds get water?
- Then what should be done if there is an open wound?
- Not all types of injuries can be handled alone
Medical Video: How to care for a healing wound
When injured, health workers generally recommend avoiding wounds from water. Especially if you have an open wound or a wet wound. However, what is the reason for the wound not being exposed to water? The following article will review the intricacies of the wound to the first aid that can be done when injured.
What happens when a wound?
The wound of its type can be divided into two: closed wounds and open wounds. In open wounds, the skin does not coalesce and shows the underlying tissue. As a result, the tissue under the skin will be exposed directly to the outside environment. Dirty outdoor environments can increase the risk of infection.
Infection by bacteria will make it difficult and prolong the healing process. Bacteria can also release toxic substances which also help to heal wounds. Therefore, it is important to prevent infections that have a negative impact on wound recovery.
Why can't open wounds get water?
Immediately after the wound, you should be advised to quickly wash the area with running water. The moist wound environment will indeed accelerate the skin to re-ignite. In addition, the inflammatory reaction in moist wounds is lighter than dry wounds, so there are fewer scars.
However, water is the ideal place to live for small, invisible germs. Open wounds will facilitate the entry of these germs into the tissues in the body and infect them. Infection will worsen the wound, especially if it has spread. As a result, the wound also heals. Moreover, water easily dissolves and is absorbed into the cell, making the cell become swollen and ruptured. This can cause the body's cells to die, rather than improve themselves.
That is why washing wounds is only used as a step of initial care when you are injured. After that, do not let the wound get too wet. Immediately dry the area and cover with gauze bandage. Keep the wound dry and closed during the recovery process. Dry wounds are better at preventing infection.
However, some studies do show that wounds washed with tap water that continues to flow for several minutes have a lower risk of infection. With a note, the water is clean and free from contamination of hazardous chemicals.
Then what should be done if there is an open wound?
When the skin is injured, you should immediately wash and clean your wound. Open wounds can contain germs, dirt, and dead cells that hinder the healing process. When done properly, washing wounds can speed healing.
Wash open wounds with clean water that continues to flow for 5 to 10 minutes. Try to keep the water not warm, especially hot. Cool water is proven to help reduce pain due to injury.
After washing the wound as a first aid, immediately dry and cover the wound with gauze or a clean cloth to prevent contamination of the outside environment.
The area of the wound should also not be moved too much because it can interfere with the healing process. Keep the injured area clean and dry. If the wound is closed and already wet, immediately replace the wound cover.
Scraping the wound should also be avoided because it will make the wound heal longer. Scab will release itself when the wound heals perfectly.
Not all types of injuries can be handled alone
How to clean the wound above only applies if the type of wound is mild and not so serious. Keep in mind, not all types of wounds you can treat and clean yourself. Some types of injuries need to be handled by health workers in clinics or hospitals. Pay attention to the following characteristics:
- The area of the wound is wide or wide and requires stitching.
- The wound is very deep.
- Wounds that feel very painful when cleaned on their own.
- If there is still dirt, gravel, debris, or debris that cannot be taken.
If you are not just experiencing open wounds, but the injuries mentioned above, seek medical attention immediately before you wash the wound with anything, including water.
