If you have minor abrasions, lacerations (tears in the skin), or superficial wounds that don't bleed much, you can actually try to treat them yourself at home. However, if the amount of blood that comes out is too much and the depth exceeds 0.7 cm, see a doctor immediately! You should also contact your doctor if the wound was caused by metal, animal bites, or sharp objects to prevent infection and minimize the risk of scarring. In addition, you actually need to see a doctor if the bleeding in an open wound doesn't stop after 10-15 minutes.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Cleaning and Bandaging Minor Wounds
Step 1. Wash hands with soap and water until clean
Before touching an open wound, clean your hands first. If possible, wear medical gloves afterward to protect the wound from exposure to bacteria and germs from your hands.
Before touching someone else's wound, wear medical gloves to protect your hands and prevent the spread of bacteria
Step 2. Wash the wound with clean running water to remove dust and dirt
Do not rub or peel the wound while washing it to prevent further injury to the skin.
Step 3. Use a clean, dry cloth to stop the bleeding
Press the injured skin with a clean, dry cloth for a few minutes to stop the bleeding. The bleeding in minor cuts should stop after you apply pressure for a few minutes.
If the bleeding does not stop after the wound is pressed for 10-15 minutes, see a doctor immediately. Most likely, your wound is too deep to treat yourself at home
Step 4. Lift the injured body part above the heart to stop the bleeding
If the injured body part is your foot, sole of your foot, or even your toes, try sitting on the floor and placing your foot on a chair or sofa (above your heart position). If the injured body part is your arm, hand, or fingers, try raising your hand above your head to slow your blood flow. If the injured body part is the trunk, head, or genital area, immediately see a doctor. Remember, any head injury should be checked by a medical professional immediately!
If the bleeding doesn't stop after 10-15 minutes, put your feet or hands down and call a doctor right away
Step 5. Apply 1-2 coats of topical antibiotic or petroleum gel to the injured skin with the help of gauze or a clean gauze cloth
Doing so is effective at keeping moisture in the injured skin area while preventing infection. As a result, wounds can heal faster.
Be careful not to press too hard on the wound (especially in areas that are red or swollen) when applying ointments or other external medications
Step 6. Cover minor wounds with a bandage or plaster
Make sure you choose a tape or bandage that is wide enough to cover the entire surface of the injured skin.
Step 7. Use gauze or gauze to cover abrasions (skin peels) or deep wounds
Cut the gauze according to the width of the wound, then stick it on the surface of the injured skin with the help of special medical insulation.
If you don't have gauze or gauze on hand, you can use the tape as long as it's wide enough to cover the surface of the injured skin
Step 8. Take over-the-counter pain relievers
Most likely, the open wound will be painful as it gradually heals. To relieve pain, try taking acetaminophen or Tylenol every 4-6 hours or according to the instructions on the medicine package. Make sure you also follow the dosage recommendations listed!.
Do not take aspirin which is at risk of making your wound bleed again
Part 2 of 3: Speeding Up Minor Wound Healing
Step 1. Change the bandage 3 times a day
Wash your hands thoroughly before and after changing the bandage. After that, gently remove the bandage in the direction of hair growth so as not to injure your skin. If you have a scab on the surface of the bandage, try soaking the bandage in sterile water (if you have one) or a 1 tsp mixture. salt with 4 liters of water. After soaking for a few minutes, try slowly releasing it again.
- If there is still a scab on the bandage, soak the bandage again for a few minutes. Never pull the bandage forcefully so that your wound doesn't re-open and bleed.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment or petroleum gel to the wound before applying a bandage to moisturize the injured skin and speed up its recovery. If you want, you can also apply an ointment or petroleum gel to the gauze before using it to bandage the wound.
Step 2. Do not scratch or peel the wound
In fact, open wounds will feel more itchy and painful as they heal, especially when the wound begins to dry and form a scab. In this case, avoid the urge to scratch, peel, or rub the scab to prevent the wound healing process from slowing down. Instead, wear thick clothing and always cover the wound with a bandage so you don't keep touching it.
If you want, you can also apply an external medicine or special ointment to the wound to reduce itching that occurs during the healing process and moisturize the injured skin
Step 3. Do not treat or wash the wound with antiseptic liquid
Hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and iodine are caustic and prone to damaging skin tissue. As a result, your wounds can leave scars afterwards. Instead, use an over-the-counter antibiotic containing an antibiotic and a petroleum gel to clean and sterilize the wound.
Step 4. Protect and cover the wound
Exposure to air can slow down the wound healing process and sometimes, scar the wound after it heals. Therefore, make sure you always bandage the wound, especially when you have to get out of the house and do activities in the sun.
- Bandages should only be removed when bathing or bathing because the wound needs moisture to heal faster.
- Injured body parts may be re-exposed to direct air exposure when new skin cells have begun to grow. If you have to do activities that are prone to re-opening (such as exercising), make sure you always bandage the wound before doing this activity.
Part 3 of 3: See a Doctor
Step 1. Consult a doctor if the depth of the wound exceeds 0.7 cm
Wounds of this depth generally require immediate treatment and sometimes stitches by a doctor. If you have an internal wound, never try to treat it yourself to avoid the risk of the wound becoming infected and/or scarred.
Step 2. See a doctor if the wound does not heal within 2 to 3 weeks
If the wound doesn't close and heal, it's likely that your wound is much more severe than imagined and requires immediate medical attention. Immediately consult a doctor!
Step 3. See a doctor immediately if the wound is infected, hot to the touch, red, swollen, or filled with pus
If you find signs of infection in the wound, see a doctor immediately so that the infection does not get worse. An open wound becomes infected if:
- Feels hot or warm to the touch
- blush
- Swell
- Felt hurt
- Contains pus
Step 4. Immediately consult a doctor if the wound was caused by an animal bite
Remember, any form of animal bite should be examined by a doctor! After that, the doctor must follow the rules set by the Directorate of Disease Control and Prevention for treating wounds caused by animal bites.
- Most bites, ranging from mild to severe, should be treated with antibiotics such as Augmentin.
- If the wound was caused by a wild animal bite, your doctor will most likely inject a rabies vaccine into your arm.
Step 5. Ask a doctor for help to treat your wound
First, the doctor will examine the severity of the wound to determine the appropriate treatment method. If your wound is severe enough, your doctor will generally ask for your consent to close the wound and speed up healing by stitching it up.
- If the condition of the wound is not too severe, it is likely that the doctor will only use special medical glue to close the wound.
- If the wound is severe and/or deep, the doctor will most likely suture it with a sterile needle and medical thread. Generally, you will need to return to the doctor 1 week later to have the stitches removed.
