With a little persistence, you can help yourself recover from an infected wound. Cleaning an infected wound can help prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body or to other people. Wash your hands before and after cleaning the wound. Wash closed wounds or wounds that are starting to heal with saline solution three times a day. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with a bandage. Meanwhile, to prevent infection, wash the fresh wound with warm water and wash the area with soap once the bleeding has stopped. See a doctor for a wound that is deep enough to be sutured, or if you were injured by a dirty object. Call your doctor right away if you have a fever, severe pain, or if the redness and swelling extends beyond the wound area.
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Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Wounds While Healing
Step 1. Follow the doctor's advice
The most important thing in wound care is to follow the doctor's advice. If you haven't had your wound checked by a doctor, see a doctor immediately. Your doctor may advise you to:
- Keep the wound dry and clean.
- Protects wounds while bathing so they don't get wet.
- Clean the wound with soap and water, or with a special wound cleaning product.
- Change the bandage regularly, or if the bandage gets wet or dirty.
Step 2. Wash your hands before and after cleaning the wound
With antimicrobial hand soap and warm water, wash your hands for 15-30 seconds. Always make sure to wash your hands before and after cleaning the wound.
Do not touch the wound unless it is being cleaned. In addition, never scratch the wound even if it itches
Step 3. Soak the wound in a "saline" solution (if recommended)
If your doctor recommends that you soak the wound in saline several times a day, make sure you do so. However, if you are not advised to do so, don't do it. Remove the bandage and soak the healing wound or infected wound covered in a container of warm saline for 20 minutes. If you have trouble soaking the wound in a bowl, simply apply a clean, saline-soaked cloth to the wound for 20 minutes.
You can make your own saline solution by mixing 2 teaspoons of salt with about 1 liter of warm water
Step 4. Use good quality drinking water to clean the wound
If you cannot drink the water that will be used to clean the wound, you should not use the water. You can use distilled or filtered water, and add salt and then heat it on the stove.
You can also boil tap water and let it cool until it's safe to use
Step 5. Use an antibiotic ointment
Apply antibacterial ointment with a cotton swab. Be careful that the tip of the ointment tube does not come into contact with the cotton swab. Just apply a small amount of the ointment in a thin layer on the entire wound surface. Use a new cotton swab if you need to apply more ointment.
Use an over-the-counter cream if you haven't been prescribed medication by your doctor. You can also ask your pharmacist and ask for a recommendation for an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment
Step 6. Avoid using alcohol and hydrogen peroxide
In the treatment of wounds and skin infections, the use of alcohol and hydrogen peroxide is actually not very useful. Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide can actually interfere with the healing process and prevent infection because it makes the skin dry and kills white blood cells. In fact, these blood cells are useful for killing germs that cause infection.
Step 7. Change the bandage to stimulate healing
After cleaning the wound and applying the ointment, use a clean cloth to dry the area around the wound so you can apply the bandage. Covering the wound with a bandage will stimulate healing while preventing the infection from spreading.
Avoid using bandages that can stick to the wound. Choose a sterile bandage instead of regular gauze
Step 8. Follow all doctor's recommendations
If your wound becomes infected, you need a doctor's care. If you've been to a doctor or other healthcare professional after an injury or to treat an infection, be sure to follow all their recommendations. Apply an antibiotic cream or take an antibiotic tablet as directed.
- Use other medications such as pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs as directed.
- If your wound is stitched, keep it moist for 24 hours, unless your doctor recommends otherwise.
Method 2 of 3: Cleaning New Wounds
Step 1. Stop the bleeding
Bleeding from minor cuts, such as cuts on the skin surface or superficial puncture wounds, will usually stop on its own after a few minutes. If necessary, cover the wound with a clean cloth or bandage and then apply gentle pressure. If possible, elevate the injured area so that it is higher than the heart.
For example, if you injured an arm or leg, raise the area so that it is higher than your heart
Step 2. Wash the fresh wound for 10 minutes
Run a cut or stab wound with warm water to remove debris and germs. Clean the area around the wound with a washcloth and a mild soap or saline solution. Clean the wound as soon as possible to prevent infection.
- Soak the stab wound for 15 minutes in saline to remove debris.
- If necessary, dip the tweezers in alcohol to sterilize them. Then, use the tweezers to remove any debris from the cut or cut that can't be cleaned with water. Consult a doctor if there are splinters that you cannot remove from a stab wound or deep wound.
Step 3. Apply an antibiotic ointment and apply a bandage to the wound
Use a cotton swab to apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the wound. After that, put a sterile bandage over the wound. If necessary, use a dry cloth to dry the area around the wound to allow the bandage to adhere.
- Be sure to change the bandage at least once a day or if it gets wet or soiled.
- If the wound is not infected, simply clean it with saline solution at least once a day or each time the bandage is changed.
Step 4. Check for signs of infection
During wound care, be sure to check frequently for signs of infection so you can contact your doctor immediately if you find one. Signs of infection, including:
- Redness
- Swollen
- Heat (increased temperature at the wound area)
- Painful
- Sensitive to touch
- Pus
Method 3 of 3: Consult a Doctor
Step 1. Sew the deep wound
If you have a wound that penetrates the skin or is more than 2 mm in size, you should see a doctor or an emergency room. If you have difficulty closing the wound on your own or notice any exposed muscle or fat, you may need stitches.
- Suturing the wound a few hours after the injury will reduce the risk of scar tissue formation and infection.
- Keep in mind that wounds with uneven edges are more likely to become infected. So, make sure to see a doctor if you experience any of these kinds of injuries.
Step 2. Go to the doctor if your wound infection gets worse
Call your doctor right away if the redness and swelling extends beyond the wound or infected area. If you've seen your doctor before, call your doctor again to schedule a re-examination if you still have a fever 2 days after taking antibiotics, or if the infected wound doesn't seem to be getting better 3 days after taking antibiotics. Signs of a worsening infection include:
- Swelling that is getting heavier
- Red streaks appear from inside the wound
- Bad smell comes out of the wound
- The more pus or fluid that comes out of the wound
- Fever
- Shivering
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Swollen lymph nodes
Step 3. Discuss the use of oral or topical antibiotics with your doctor
After your doctor has examined the wound for infection, ask if you need to use oral or topical antibiotics. Topical antibiotics in the form of an ointment that can be applied directly to the infected area are usually the most common treatment option.
Oral antibiotics or systemic antibiotics that should be taken by mouth are the best treatment options if your doctor believes your wound infection has spread or if your immune system is compromised. Tell your doctor about your fever or other symptoms. Be sure to mention any chronic illness or use of other medications that might weaken your immune system
Step 4. Ask your doctor for the tetanus vaccine
It's a good idea to talk to your doctor about whether you need to be vaccinated against a tetanus shot due to a deep or dirty wound. Stab wounds from dirty or rusty objects can cause tetanus. Most standard vaccination programs should already protect you from this disease. However, if you have not had this vaccine in the past 5 years, you may need a repeat dose.
Step 5. Consult your chronic illness or other concerns
You should contact your doctor immediately if you have any concerns about a current injury or illness.
- For example, be sure to consult a doctor if you are taking blood-thinning medications or if your immune system is compromised.
- Apart from getting a wound from a dirty or rusty object, you should also see a doctor if the wound was caused by an animal or human bite, or if there are debris in the wound that are difficult to remove.
- Keep in mind that some people also have a higher risk of infection. Such as people with diabetes, the elderly, people who are obese or have impaired immune systems (people with HIV/AIDS, users of chemotherapy or steroid drugs).
Step 6. Seek immediate medical attention for severe symptoms
In some situations, you may have to seek emergency help. Symptoms that require emergency help include:
- Hard to breathe
- Fast heart rate
- Confusion
- Heavy bleeding that seeps from the bandage
- Sensation of a wound such as splitting or a wound that appears to be opening
- Severe pain
- Red streaks come out of the infected area.
