The skin is the largest organ of the body, and when injured, complex biochemical reactions go into action to heal the wound. Treating wounds with natural ingredients, such as antiseptics and herbal ointments, can support the body's healing process, thereby helping skin heal quickly with minimal scarring. Learn natural ways to clean, bandage, and heal wounds.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Cleaning Wounds
Step 1. Determine the depth of the wound
Examine the wound to determine if it can be treated at home or should seek medical attention. Go to the hospital to be treated by a medical professional if the wound is deep or severe, as it may need stitches to heal properly. Check with your doctor if any of the following occur:
- Red muscle tissue or yellow fat tissue appears in the wound.
- The wound remains open when the sides are removed.
- The wound is located near a joint or area where the wound would not be able to close without stitches.
- Bleeding is severe and cannot be stopped after 10 minutes of pressure.
- Injuries that result in bleeding from arteries, which are usually bright red, profuse, and under high pressure so that they drain profusely.
Step 2. Wash your hands
Hands should always be washed with soap and water before treating wounds. That will help reduce the chance of infection.
- Wash hands with warm water and dry with a clean towel.
- If the wound occurs on the hand, do not let the soap touch the wound, because it can irritate the wound.
Step 3. Stop the bleeding
Make sure the bleeding is stopped so that the amount of blood lost doesn't increase and the healing process can begin. Place a clean cotton ball on the wound, and press firmly and steadily.
- Press steadily for 10 minutes, without lifting the cotton ball.
- However, do not press too hard, because it can block blood circulation and inhibit the blood clotting process.
- If blood is seeping through the cotton ball, place a new cotton ball on top of the first one; do not remove the first cotton ball.
- If the blood soaks the cotton ball quickly, and pressure doesn't seem to stop the bleeding, see a doctor immediately.
- Never apply a tourniquet yourself; because it can cause serious damage, even at risk of amputation.
Step 4. Rinse the wound with running water
Place the injured skin under cold running tap water. Let the water run gently over the wound for a few minutes. This method of cleaning the wound will remove most of the dirt that can cause infection.
- Natural cleansing should suffice for most superficial wounds that require only home treatment.
- For severe injuries, the medical professional will decide what solution is needed.
Step 5. Gently rub the wound with a clean cotton ball
Do not rub, because it can make the wound more open. Check to see if there is still soil or other debris embedded in the wound area during washing. Make sure all dirt and foreign matter have been removed. Use tweezers that have been disinfected with rubbing alcohol to pick up dirt embedded in the wound.
Gently rub the wound only with a sterile object, such as a cotton ball. Gently rub the wound from the center to the edges to remove dirt
Step 6. Rinse again with saline solution (physiological saline solution)
Use a mild 0.9% saline solution (which is called “isotonic” because it has the same content as blood) to help clean the wound area and prevent infection. Perform this wash whenever the wound needs to be washed during the healing period.
- Dissolve tsp of salt in 240 ml of boiling water. Let it cool, then pour it on the wound, and gently wipe with a cotton ball to remove moisture.
- Use a new saline solution every time you wash the wound. Discard any unused solution. Bacteria can grow in saline solution within 24 hours.
- Be sure to keep the wound clean and continue to disinfect the wound. If the wound looks red or inflamed, see a doctor immediately.
Step 7. Do not use hydrogen peroxide and iodine
Although hydrogen peroxide is generally recommended for treating wounds, it doesn't actually kill bacteria effectively. On the other hand, hydrogen peroxide can slow down the natural healing process and irritate the wound. Iodine can also irritate wounds.
Use only running water, or saline solution, to wash the wound
Part 2 of 3: Bandaging the Wound
Step 1. Use colloidal silver ointment
Silver is naturally antimicrobial. Colloidal silver antibacterial ointment can be purchased at most drug stores and pharmacies.
- Apply a thin layer of antibacterial ointment to the wound, then cover it with a bandage.
- Antibacterial ointments do not speed wound healing, but help prevent infection and provide protection for the wound to support the body's natural healing process.
Step 2. Use a natural antiseptic
Some spices have natural antimicrobial effects that can help prevent infection. Some herbal medicines can aggravate medical conditions or interfere with the performance of medical drugs. So, discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before using any herbal remedies.
- Calendula. Calendula has antimicrobial properties and has been shown to speed healing. Apply an ointment with a concentration of calendula 2-5% on the wound. You can also make a 1:5 solution of calendula, with 90% alcohol.
- Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. Apply a few drops of 100% tea tree oil on the wound with a clean cotton ball.
- Echinacea. Echinacea has a good content for wound healing. Creams or ointments containing Echinacea can help heal minor wounds.
- lavender. Lavender has natural antibacterial properties, but should not be applied directly to open or deep wounds. Mix 1-2 drops of lavender oil with 1 tablespoon of almond oil, and apply the mixture on minor cuts and abrasions.
Step 3. Use aloe vera gel to treat minor wounds
Apply pure aloe vera gel several times a day if the wound is very shallow. Do not use on deep wounds, including surgical wounds, because it will slow healing if used in deeper body tissues.
- Aloe vera gel can reduce inflammation, as well as moisturize the wound area.
- In rare cases, patients may experience an allergic reaction to aloe vera gel. If the skin becomes red or irritated, stop using aloe vera gel and see a doctor immediately.
Step 4. Try honey
Most honey has natural antibacterial properties, and it helps to moisturize and protect the wound from bacteria. Opt for manuka honey, which has been proven to be one of the most effective types of honey to help heal wounds.
- After the wound is cleaned, apply a thin layer of honey on the wound. Cover the wound with a plaster. Change dressing frequently.
- Coconut oil can also be used, as it also has natural antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.
Step 5. Protect the wound
Cover the wound with a cotton bandage and attach it with a plaster, after applying the herbal ointment of your choice. Keep the wound closed until it is almost healed and new skin has grown.
- When changing the dressing, wash the wound with a saline solution, then pat it dry. Apply the ointment, and cover the wound with a clean bandage.
- Keep the wound covered with a bandage after cleaning or applying antibacterial ointment. The wound should be cleaned frequently, and the bandage should be changed frequently.
- Hands should always be washed before changing bandages or touching wounds.
Part 3 of 3: Speeding Up Healing
Step 1. Consume more protein and vitamins
Speed up the wound healing process by consuming more protein and vitamins that support healthy skin, especially vitamins A and C. Zinc can also help heal wounds. If you have a nutritional deficiency, your skin will take longer to heal. Eat plenty of the following foods to get enough nutrients, vitamins, and minerals:
- Lean protein: lean meats, such as chicken and turkey, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, beans
- Vitamin C: citrus fruits, orange melon (cantaloupe), kiwi, mango, pineapple, berries, broccoli, bell pepper, brussels sprouts, cauliflower
- Vitamin A: milk fortified with vitamin A, meat, cheese, organ meats, cod, halibut
- Vitamin D: milk or juice fortified with vitamin D, fatty fish, eggs, cheese, beef liver
- Vitamin E: fruit, whole grains, peanut butter, spinach, broccoli, kiwi
- Zinc: Beef, pork, lamb, black chicken, geluk fruit, whole grains, beans
Step 2. Use green tea extract
Research has proven that green tea extract can help wounds heal faster. Choose an ointment with a green tea concentration of 0.6%.
You can also make your own ointment by mixing green tea extract with petroleum jelly
Step 3. Use witch hazel to reduce inflammation
Use witch hazel, a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient, to help reduce inflammation and reduce redness, once the wound has closed.
- Witch hazel can be purchased at most pharmacies (in the US).
- Apply generously using a cotton ball.
Step 4. Drink plenty of water
Drink at least 240 ml of non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages every two hours. This method will replace fluids lost due to sweating due to fever or bleeding at the time of injury. Dehydration can lead to the following complications:
- Dry skin
- Headache
- Muscle cramp
- Low blood pressure
Step 5. Do low-intensity exercise
Doing moderate exercise can strengthen the body's ability to fight infection, reduce inflammation, and speed up the healing process. Do not overexert the injured body part. Exercise at least 3 days a week for 30-45 minutes. Ask your doctor what exercise is best for you. Some easy, low-intensity exercises include:
- Brisk
- Yoga and stretching
- Light weight training
- Cycling at a speed of 8-14 km per hour
- Swimming
Step 6. Use an ice pack
Apply an ice pack to the wound area if swelling and inflammation persist or are bothersome. The cold temperature helps to numb the area and reduce pain and prevent further bleeding.
- Make your own ice pack by wetting it and placing a towel in a clip bag. Store in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Wrap the clip bag in a damp towel, and apply it to the wound area.
- Do not apply ice packs to open or infected wounds.
- Do not put ice cubes directly on the skin because it can injure the skin.
Step 7. Use a humidifier
A moist environment helps support the wound healing process. Use a humidifier to help humidify the air and prevent skin from drying out or cracking. Make sure the humidifier is always clean to prevent the spread of bacteria, which can cause infection.
- If it's too damp, mold and dust mites can thrive.
- If there is not enough moisture, residents of the house can experience dry skin and throat and sinus irritation.
- Measure humidity with a measuring device called a humidistat, which can be purchased at most hardware stores.
Tips
- Do not use chemical or scented creams, such as body or face creams, in or on wounds.
- Don't peel off the scab. Let it exfoliate naturally.
- Keep the surrounding skin as well as the wound moist. Drying the skin causes the scab to break and doesn't help the skin heal efficiently--which will eventually cause scar tissue to form.
- Be sure to keep the wound clean and protected.
- To remove any small scars that remain, use a vitamin E cream, or a tissue oil such as Bio Oil to reduce the size of the scar, but make sure the product only touches the scar tissue.
- Do not touch the wound area often, so it can heal quickly.
- If the wound does not improve after 3-4 weeks, see a doctor immediately.
Warning
- For wounds or burns that are moderately severe or infected, do not use the above guidelines for wound care; see a doctor immediately.
- Keep the wound out of the sun. Scar tissue and scabs are likely to form if the wound is exposed to sunlight, especially if it is longer than 10 minutes.
