Even harmless bacteria, which are constantly present on the surface of the skin and do not cause problems, can become dangerous if ingested. Therefore, if you get an abrasion, you must:

Clean it from contamination by rinsing with clean water.
Stop the bleeding. For minor injuries and cuts, it is enough to press a clean napkin or handkerchief to the wound for a short time.
Disinfect the skin around.

Let’s try to figure out which products should be used for disinfection and how to do it correctly. For an objective choice, the following are important: the ability to destroy or prevent the multiplication of dangerous microorganisms, the presence of discomfort when applied, the effect on the intact skin around, as well as the general effect on the body.

Types of open wounds

There are several types of open wounds:

Cut with clear and even borders. Such damage is the result of careless handling of thin and sharp objects. You can cut yourself even by accidentally touching the edge of a sheet of paper with your finger;
Chipped. The area where there is damage is small, but the wound itself can be quite deep. Such injuries are obtained by inaccurately using sharp objects such as an awl or a rod. This wound can be quite serious damage if the damage has been done to internal organs or muscle tissue;
Lacerated wounds. The essence of this type of injury is soft tissue rupture. Tissue detachment, severe bleeding, and pain can be found. Therefore, it is necessary to know how to treat a lacerated wound;
Operating rooms. This type of wounds is treated only surgically, and the process itself is carried out by specialists.

Classification of wounds

There are such wounds:

chipped;
cut;
chopped;
torn;
bitten;
firearms.

A puncture wound can often be obtained in everyday life. This can happen while sewing with a needle, when using a knife, or when making a sharp contact with a nail. This type of injury is characterized by a deep, but small area of skin damage. Because of this, such injuries are often prone to internal suppuration. They are difficult to rinse and thoroughly clean from the remains of dust, dirt and infection.

The cut wound is easier to handle. Such damage occurs most often. Rough handling of a razor, knife or glass can cause injury. The cut injuries are bleeding heavily. However, with proper initial treatment, there is no infection left there and the skin heals quickly.

Chopped wounds are very rare. They are very dangerous, since in addition to damage to soft tissues, the integrity of the bones is often violated. Injuries are accompanied by severe bleeding, the wound has uneven, torn and difficult-to-heal edges. In most cases, an emergency call is required. Chopped wounds are the result of being hit by a heavy object, such as an ax, or in car accidents.

Laceration wounds appear as a result of falls or severe bruising. They are characterized by difficult healing, a high risk of infection, and a large lesion area. To avoid suppuration, it is best to clean the wound as soon as possible after the injury.

If the wound appears due to an animal bite, special attention should be paid to it. It is not enough to simply rinse the wound or apply a disinfectant. It is extremely important to consult a specialist for advice on how to prevent rabies, which is often transmitted from sick animals. In addition to infection with a dangerous disease, the risk of wound suppuration is high, because the animal’s saliva contains many bacteria.

Gunshot wounds can be through or blind. Most often, surgery is required to remove the bullet. Depending on the location of the wound, it can threaten a person’s life.

Characteristics of wounds in terms of the depth of the lesion

Injuries can be:

superficial;
deep;
cross-cutting;
blind;
tangents.

If an abrasion or slight cut appears on the skin, such damage can be considered a superficial wound. With such injuries, the integrity of the tissues is violated no deeper than the skin or the level of mucous membranes.

Deep cuts damage tissues, muscles, bones and even internal organs. If nerves are damaged as a result of an injury, numbness and sensory loss may be felt.

Through wounds are inherent in two holes: the entry point of the injuring object and the exit point. Such damage can be due to gunshot or stab wounds.

Blind wounds usually require medical attention, as some of the injured object remains in soft tissue or even bone. It usually requires surgery to remove it.

With tangential wounds, there may be severe bleeding, but the path of the injuring object did not touch or only slightly touched important organs or bones.

General rules

Most often, with bleeding, first aid must be provided very quickly, so knowing how to properly treat a wound can save a person’s health, and sometimes life. Regardless of what type of injury was received, it is necessary to follow these rules:

the affected area must be completely immobilized;
before carrying out the procedure, hands must be thoroughly washed;
it is advisable to use disposable medical gloves;
the treated area should be immediately covered with material to prevent bacteria from entering there;
disinfection of the wound should be carried out only with sterile materials and tools;
during the initial treatment of the wound, it is better not to use any ointments or powders, as this can lead to an increase in the healing time.

If sterile materials are not nearby and the victim is in urgent need of help, the material can be ironed with a hot iron and used to cover the wound. Wound cleaning is usually done to prevent bacteria from entering the injury site. But in the case when the bleeding is too severe, perhaps even threatening the life of the victim, first of all, everything must be done to stop it. Only in this case, it is even allowed to neglect the sterility of the material.

Post-injury wound care should be carried out as soon as possible. In extreme cases, the wound can be disinfected within the next 6 hours after the injury.

Tips for handling small cuts and abrasions

It is important to understand well how to treat a cut wound, even if the affected area is very small. After all, through a small hole in the skin, a serious infection can enter the body, for example, you can become infected with tetanus.

If a wound occurs while working with a knife, it must be properly treated. The first step is to remove foreign material from the wound. In no case should you immediately rinse this place with running water! This is a very common mistake. Tap water contains many bacteria that can quickly enter a hole in your skin.

You can remove foreign material from the wound using a sterile bandage. It is not advisable to use cotton wool, as its small fibers can remain inside and cause an inflammatory process. You can wash the wound with an antiseptic solution and help mechanically with a bandage, passing it along the incision site.

You can disinfect the site of damage using the following means:

hydrogen peroxide;
chlorhexidine;
iodine;
alcohol.

If medicines are not at hand, you can use a soda or saline solution prepared on the basis of boiled water. Vodka or chamomile infusion is also suitable.

When the cut has been cleaned, the damaged area should be covered with sterile material. Do not smear with cream, so as not to close the air access to the tissues, which is very necessary for the healing process. You can use a bandage or plaster to secure the dressing.

Abrasions are usually heavily soiled. Therefore, before deciding how to treat the wound, it should be rinsed with saline. After that, you can start using medications.

It is good to treat a wound that has been heavily contaminated with peroxide. This product not only destroys microbes on the skin’s surface, but also helps to remove the remaining fragments of dust and dirt. On contact with damaged skin, peroxide is converted into many bubbles. This helps push foreign particles out of the cut.

If the bleeding is light, you shouldn’t try to stop it right away. Thanks to this process, there is a natural release of tissues from pathogenic microorganisms. This will facilitate further processing and reduce the risk of inflammation.

How to treat an abrasion in a child

Children’s skin is different from that of an adult. The child is constantly growing, the cells of his body are more sensitive to negative influences, and the natural defense systems are not fully formed. Therefore, special requirements are imposed on medicines and cosmetics for children. Let’s start with the safest ones and we will move as age restrictions appear, because a remedy that is safe for a baby can also be used by an adult.

Abrasion and scratch treatment

Such damage is formed on the skin in cases where there is an impact on any hard surface or blunt object.

Often, abrasions and various scratches occur when falling. As a result, the upper layer of the epidermis is usually removed and the smallest vessels are damaged, which causes the appearance of pinpoint bleeding. Such lesions also require mandatory treatment to prevent infection and the development of the inflammatory process.

First of all, the abrasion must be thoroughly washed with running water and soap (household or ordinary child’s). Such processing allows not only to eliminate pollution, but also to destroy many pathogenic microorganisms.

After washing, the abrasion should be treated with an antiseptic solution. To do this, moisten a gauze swab in hydrogen peroxide and gently wet the damaged surface. After that, you can take a cotton pad, soak it with Chlorhexidine solution and apply it to the abrasion, securing it with pieces of plaster. This bandage should be left on for about an hour.

Further, the surface of the damage must be dried a little in air, after which you can sprinkle the injury with a special powder, for example, Boneacin, or any other means of drying, and apply a dry sterile bandage. When a crust (scab) forms on the surface of the abrasion, the bandage is removed and left in the air.

The bleeding must be stopped before the wound is treated.

It is stopped by pressure on the wound. To do this, you need to attach a piece of tissue to the wound, preferably sterile, and hold it for 10-15 minutes, depending on the intensity of bleeding.

* To protect yourself from possible blood infections, it is recommended to wear rubber gloves on your hands.

If the wound is significant, and you will soon receive medical attention (call an ambulance, go to the hospital), then the treatment of the wound can be left to the health workers.

But if the wound is minor, when it is not necessary to resort to the help of health workers, or you will not receive medical attention soon, then you need to treat the wound yourself.

Stages of treatment for open wounds

Treatment of open wounds in any case involves the passage of three stages – primary self-cleaning, inflammation and granulation tissue restoration.

Primary self-cleaning

As soon as the injury has occurred and bleeding has opened, the vessels begin to narrow sharply – this allows a clot of platelets to form, which will stop the bleeding. Then the narrowed vessels dilate sharply. The result of this “work” of blood vessels will be a slowdown in blood flow, an increase in the permeability of the vessel walls and progressive edema of soft tissues.

It was found that such a vascular reaction leads to the cleansing of damaged soft tissues without the use of any antiseptic agents.

Inflammatory process

This is the second stage of the wound process, which is characterized by increased swelling of soft tissues, the skin becomes red. Together, bleeding and inflammation provoke a significant increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood.

Restoration of tissues by granulation

This stage of the wound process can also begin against the background of inflammation – there is nothing pathological in this. The formation of granulation tissue begins directly in the open wound, as well as along the edges of the open wound and along the surface of the closely located epithelium.

Over time, granulation tissue degenerates into connective tissue, and this stage will be considered completed only after a stable scar is formed at the site of an open wound.

Distinguish between the healing of an open wound by primary and secondary intention. The first variant of the development of the process is possible only if the wound is not extensive, its edges are brought close to each other and there is no pronounced inflammation at the site of injury. Secondary tension occurs in all other cases, including purulent wounds.

The features of the treatment of open wounds depend only on how intensively the inflammatory process develops, how much the tissues are damaged. The task of doctors is to stimulate and control all of the above stages of the wound process.

Blood arrest stage

When the wound is shallow, the bleeding stops on its own. If the blood does not stop flowing after 15 minutes, then you should raise the hand with the injured finger, after applying a bandage. If the blood comes out through the bandage and does not stop for more than half an hour, then there are problems with coagulation. You will not be able to stop the bleeding on your own. You need to go to the hospital department, as hemostatic drugs are needed. And then only the doctor will determine how to treat the cut on the arm.

In this case, it is forbidden to remove the applied bandage, as it sticks to the wound. Removing it will only increase the bleeding. Also, strong and improperly applied bandages can cause irreparable harm.

Treatment of an open weeping wound

Excessive discharge speeds up healing, but doctors still try to reduce the amount to improve blood circulation.

When treating a wound, it is very important to change the dressings frequently to clean ones. In this case, a solution of furacilin or chlorhexidine is used, or liquid antiseptics.

It is necessary to treat wounds using antimicrobial agents:

Streptocide ointment;
Mafenid;
Fudizine.

They are applied either under a disinfected bandage or on a tampon designed to treat the damaged area.

Read also: Find out which types of ovarian tumors are most effective for treatment

As a drying agent, Xeroform or Baneocin is used, which eliminate inflammation and have a powerful antibacterial effect.

Wound treatment products

Antiseptics fight bacteria that cause the decomposition process. Not all people know the algorithm for using them in processing. Each injury has its own remedy.

The popularization of antiseptic drugs began in the middle of the 19th century. People used similar substances for processing in the embalming of corpses, which allowed the bodies to survive to this day. During that period, they experimented with carrying out operations on living people, using carbolic acid.

For a century and a half, many means for treating wounds that meet safety requirements have been discovered:

act on parasites, microbes;
start to work quickly;
medications do not irritate the skin, mucous membranes;
do not interfere with regeneration;
processed without being absorbed into the blood.

Open wound

If the integrity of the skin or deep tissues is violated, an open area is formed. Trauma is dangerous with bleeding, the likelihood of damage to important organs, shock, and the development of infection.

Types of injuries requiring special methods of treatment and treatment:

cut / stab-cut;
chipped;
chopped;
bruised;
bitten;
firearms.

If a limb is injured, a tourniquet is applied. In other cases, a tight bandage is used. The wound area is treated with hydrogen peroxide, the skin along the periphery is lubricated with an antiseptic – iodine, brilliant green. Medicine cannot be injected into damaged tissue. This is fraught with burns.

If after a few days there are no manifestations of reactions characteristic of inflammation, discharge of pus, then the use of Vishnevsky ointment, streptocide-based agents, is allowed for processing. To accelerate the healing process, preparations made with the active ingredient panthenol are popular. They are rich in B vitamins, known for their regenerative properties.

For head injuries, hair is cut to treat. This provides access to the affected area. For severe bleeding, apply a pressure bandage with gauze tampons. Pain and swelling are relieved with cold compresses.

Moist wounds require frequent dressing changes. To treat the site, use furacilin or other liquid antiseptics: Miramistin, Chlorhexidine. To reduce the production of associated secretions, it is recommended to use sodium chloride in a 10% solution. Dressings are formed with antimicrobial ointments. The medicine is applied to the sterile tissue and the wound is gently cleaned. The soaks are dried with Xeroform powder.

Pus lesions are difficult to treat. Treatment with Dimexidum and saline solution cope with bacteria, powders Chymotrypsin, Trypsin stop necrotic processes. Inside, antibiotics are required.

Deep wound

You can use the Mediset treatment kit – it contains disposable wipes, tampons and tweezers.

Cuts, in which the depth of the wound is large, require consultation, treatment with a doctor. The doctor will determine the need for stitching. For the first seven days, treatment involves the application of a wet-drying dressing with antiseptics.

Then use antimicrobial ointments – Levosin, Levomekol. An antibiotic is prescribed by mouth or by injection.

Abrasions and scratches

Scratched skin is washed with cold water and mild soap. The presence of blood cancels out the chemical fluid. A deep wound is treated with furacilin, lubricated with an antiseptic.

Lesions that do not heal, turn red and fester require a doctor’s visit. Antimicrobial agents must be used. Gelevin, Diovin, Anilodiotevin are modern effective drugs for processing.

Corn

Fresh education is smeared with an antiseptic and sealed with a plaster. A burst or deliberately opened corn is treated with streptocide powder mixed with water.

In order for the wound to heal, antiosal plasters are used. There are three types, and each has its own purpose. Compid is used for wet and dry scuffs, Leiko – disinfects, Salipod – regenerates.

Do not tear off the skin of the bladder. For treatment, Bepanten and other healing drugs are used.

How to properly handle wounds?

After receiving a wound, it is necessary to properly treat the damage as soon as possible and contact a medical facility. Further treatment of injury is based on the use of medicines and folk remedies.

Cut-stab and cut wounds

A cut wound occurs as a result of trauma with a sharp object, has smooth edges and a shallow depth. A deep cut wound is called a cut-and-stab wound. A cut-and-stab wound is more dangerous than a cut wound, as it leads to severe blood loss and often becomes the cause of death.

First aid:

Stop bleeding. If there is a pulsating discharge of bright scarlet blood from the wound (arterial bleeding), apply a tourniquet slightly above the injured area; if the blood is dark red (venous bleeding), apply a pressure bandage below the wound. If the injury is on the trunk or face, press down on the pulsating vessel with a clean piece of cotton wool wrapped in gauze. If the cut is shallow and the bleeding is minor, press down with a full bandage or adhesive tape.
Disinfect the wound. After stopping the blood, rinse the injured area under running water, then with a solution of hydrogen peroxide or Chlorhexidine, shade the edges with brilliant green, iodine or alcohol.
Apply a sterile dressing. Apply a germicidal adhesive tape to a small cut in your finger or hand.
See your doctor. If you cannot stop the blood on your own, call an ambulance immediately.

Show a deep stab wound to a specialist. In a medical facility, the damage will be treated and, if necessary, sewn up, and a bandage will be applied.

Medicines for drug therapy:

Antiseptics. (Chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate). Disinfect the damaged area.
Healing bactericidal ointments and sprays (Solcoseryl, Eplan, Vishnevsky Ointment, Bepanten, Miramistin). Promotes tissue regeneration and kill bacteria. → Overview of ointments for quick wound healing
Antibiotics (Tetracycline, Erythromycin). It is prescribed for infection of a wound with pathogenic microorganisms and purulent processes.
Pain relievers (No-Shpa, Nurofen). Relieve pain.

No-shpa soothes pain in case of cut and other wounds

To make the wound heal faster, use traditional medicine that will help speed up the process of tissue regeneration.

Folk remedies:

Aloe. For minor cuts, lubricate the injured area with aloe juice several times a day until healed. Aloe is a natural antiseptic, moisturizes the skin and prevents inflammation, ideal for healing wounds on the delicate skin of a child.
Calendula. Dilute 1 tsp. tincture of calendula in 1 glass of warm water. Apply a piece of gauze soaked in solution to the cut, fix for 1 hour. Apply the compress daily until you recover.

Do not remove dried crusts from a healing wound – this can lead to scarring.

Puncture wound

With a stab wound, deep tissue layers are damaged. A puncture wound is an ideal breeding ground for infections, including tetanus. Most often, stab wounds appear on the legs.

First aid:

Stop bleeding. Bandage the wound tightly with a bandage or clean cloth.
Cleanse the wound. Rinse the damaged area under a stream of warm water, remove dirt with tweezers.
Conduct decontamination. Lubricate the edges with brilliant green or iodine, and treat the wound itself with an antiseptic solution.
Apply a sterile dressing.
See your doctor. A deep puncture wound should be examined for foreign objects. Medical attention is also needed if the wound is inflicted with a rusty metal object, or if soil has fallen into it.

Stop the bleeding first.

If there is a foreign object in the wound, do not try to remove it yourself – you can injure the tissue even more.

Medicines for drug therapy:

Antiseptics (hydrogen peroxide, Furacilin solution). Disinfect, prevent suppuration.
Healing bactericidal ointments (Baneocin, Erythromycin ointment, Baktoban, Bepanten). They disinfect the wound and promote rapid healing.
Antibiotics (Tetracycline, Erythromycin). Suppress the activity of pathogens.
Pain relievers (Analgin, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol). Relieve pain.

Pain reliever for puncture wounds

If you suspect a tetanus virus infection, an emergency preventive vaccination is given. Emergency vaccination is necessary for patients who have not received the tetanus vaccine, and those who did it more than 5 years ago.

Get prophylactic tetanus shots on time. Otherwise, if injured by a rusty metal object or an animal bite, you will have to carry out emergency prevention of the disease and put your life at high risk.

Folk remedies:

Propolis. It is effective for puncture wounds from which pus is expelled. Lubricate the affected area with a piece of gauze dipped in propolis tincture 3 times a day.
Nettle. Apply fresh nettle juice to a sore spot once a day in the form of a compress.

Chopped and lacerated wounds

Chopped and lacerated wounds occur due to trauma from a heavy sharp object. Injuries can be accompanied by damage to bones, large vessels and internal organs. Often, as a result of a laceration, an area with flayed skin is formed, which quickly dies off. Injuries often result in death or disability.

Laceration after being hit by a sharp object

Important! First aid for chopped and lacerated wounds comes down to the fastest possible delivery of the victim to a medical facility.

The injury is accompanied by severe bleeding and extensive damage to soft tissues – a tourniquet is not recommended. A bleeding wound devoid of skin cover has a strong psychological effect on others, which complicates pre-medical primary treatment.

Before the arrival of an ambulance, you need to put a tight gauze bandage on the open wound in order to slow down bleeding, give the victim pain medication.

Important! Medical treatment of damage is carried out after surgery.

Groups of medicines used in the treatment of chopped and lacerated wounds:

antiseptic drugs;
pain relievers;
antibacterial drugs;
healing medications.

Scar ointment Fermenkol

After a chopped and lacerated wound, a noticeable scar remains, therefore, an ointment for scars and scars (Kelofibraza, Fermenkol, Kontraktubeks) is added to the list.

Folk remedies:

Onion. Grind the onions into gruel, wrap in gauze and apply to the wound for 1-1.5 hours. Apply the compress daily. Onions are effective for festering damage.
Honey and fish oil ointment. Mix fish oil and honey in a 1: 3 ratio and apply 3 times a day to the affected area of the skin.

Bitten wounds

Animal bites, especially wild ones, are fraught with rabies and tetanus. Quickly provided first aid help greatly reduces the risk of illness.

Be sure to clean the wound after an animal bite

First aid:

Clean the wound as soon as possible with plenty of soap and water.
Treat the bite. Soak a piece of bandage with hydrogen peroxide and press on the bite for 2 minutes. Treat the edges of the wound with alcohol (no more than 70%), vodka or other liquid containing ethyl alcohol.
To stop bleeding, make a bandage, if the bite is small, an adhesive plaster will be enough.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

The goal of medical treatment of a bitten wound is to minimize the number of microorganisms and prevent their reproduction.

Amoxiclav destroys microbes trapped in a wound from an animal

Medicines for drug therapy:

Antibiotics (Amoxiclav, Cefuroxime, Lincomycin). Destroy microorganisms trapped in the wound with animal saliva.
Antimicrobial drugs (Metronidazole, Trichopol). Prevents reproduction and activity of anaerobic infection.
Immunoprotectants (Polyoxidonium, Tsitovir-3, Interferon). Strengthen the body’s resistance to bacteria in the wound.
Antiseptics (Furacilin, Chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide). Disinfect the wound.
Antihistamines (Claritin, Diazolin). Prevents allergic reactions to medications used.
Ointments (Solcoseryl, Actovegin). Accelerate tissue healing.

Important! On the first day after the bite, an emergency vaccination against tetanus and rabies is carried out.

There are no folk remedies for treating a bitten wound, since only pharmaceutical preparations can cope with an infection that has got into a wound. Homemade recipes can only be used at the stage of skin healing.

Folk remedies:

Honey. The remedy heals well and relieves inflammation. Cover the healing wound with honey and cover with adhesive plaster or bandage.
Plantain. Lubricate the wound with plantain juice 3-4 times a day until complete healing.

Operating wounds

Surgical wounds are injuries inflicted by a surgeon during an operation. The lesions are considered sterile. The wounds have smooth edges and after the operation they are carefully matched with each other using sutures, after which an aseptic bandage is applied to the sutured wound.

Sterile scar after surgery

Surgical wounds only need postoperative medical treatment.

Medicines for drug therapy:

Antibiotics (Lincomycin, Erythromycin). Provide prevention of infection.
Antiseptics (Chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, Levasept, iodine solution). Disinfect the wound.
Healing ointments (Actovegin, Solcoseryl). Accelerate tissue regeneration after removing drainage. → More about ointments for the healing of surgical sutures
Anti- scar ointments (Mederma, Kontraktubex). Prevents the formation of a large, visible scar.

The best folk remedy for healing postoperative wounds is sea buckthorn or milk thistle oil. Lubricate the skin with a cotton swab soaked in oil 3 times a day until healed.

Gunshot wounds

There is no general instruction on the provision of first aid for a gunshot wound – the procedure depends on the location and nature of the injury. Measures must be taken very quickly – a person can die in a few seconds from blood loss.

General recommendations for the provision of first aid:

Call an ambulance.
Give the victim’s body a supine position, with a wound in the chest – half-sitting.
Stop bleeding by placing a tourniquet on the limb. If injured in the spine or neck, pinch the injured artery with your finger.
If the bullet hits the chest, urgently press down the hole with the materials at hand (a piece of clothing, bandage).
Cover the wound in the head with a sterile bandage or bandage.

It is inappropriate to provide other measures – this is the task of the medical staff. The gunshot wound requires urgent surgical treatment. After the operation, measures are taken to stimulate the recovery processes in the tissues.

Medicines for drug therapy:

Antibiotics (Amoxiclav, Cefuroxime, Lincomycin). They destroy microorganisms that have penetrated into the wound.
Antimicrobial drugs (Metronidazole, Trichopol). They relieve inflammation, prevent the formation of suppuration and gangrene.
Immunoprotectants (Polyoxidonium, Tsitovir-3, Interferon). Strengthen the body’s resistance to bacteria in the wound.
Antiseptics (Furacilin, Chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide). Disinfect the wound.
Antioxidants (Mexidol). They relieve convulsions, prevent oxygen starvation of damaged tissues.
Pain relievers (Ibuprofen, Codeine). Eliminate pain and improve the patient’s well-being.

Ibuprofen – pain reliever

The victim is injected with serum for tetanus and gas gangrene. Therapy of gunshot wounds using folk methods is not recommended.

In everyday life, injuries are common. Each first-aid kit should have all the means for the provision of pre-medical and subsequent treatment of various wounds: a sterile bandage, a solution of iodine and greenery, hydrogen peroxide, healing ointments and pain relievers.

Types of purulent formations

A purulent formation can occur in any part of the body, but most often it occurs on the leg, arm, buttocks, abdomen, and fingers. The pus can be thick or thin, and can vary in color.

a whitish and yellowish color of a dense structure indicates infection with a staphylococcus bacterium;
with a liquid consistency of a brown-yellow tint, we are talking about E. coli;
for a watery structure of yellow and green color, streptococcus infection is characteristic;
brown fetid liquid – anaerobic microbes;
if the shade of pus inside is yellow, but upon contact with air changes color, then this is Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Symptoms for purulent wounds

Bursting, throbbing, or pressing pain.
Redness of the skin around the lesion.
On palpation, the skin is hot.
Change in skin color at the site of localization of pathology.
Swelling and headache.
Increased body temperature, chills, weakness.
Loss of appetite and increased sweating.

Reasons for infection

As you know, purulent wounds occur due to infection. But why then does one person immediately notice the inflammatory process, and the other does not? It turns out that there are certain factors that affect the transformation of a simple wound into a purulent form.

First of all, it is a weakened immunity and the presence of certain pathologies (diabetes mellitus, HIV, etc.). Climatic conditions (high humidity) and extensive pollution of the area also play a huge role.

You can bring a pathogen into the wound through dirty hands or using non-sterile processing materials.

Assisting the patient

The first question that arises is how to treat a purulent wound. Because the effectiveness and duration of subsequent therapy depends on this.

Not every person is ready to go to the clinic with such a minor problem. And it is not always possible to consult a doctor immediately.

Therefore, you need to know the rules for primary processing:

Wound disinfection and flushing. How to rinse? Every home has hydrogen peroxide, so use this liquid. You can use “Furacilin”, potassium permanganate diluted in water, or “Chlorhexidine” solution.
Next, you need to process the area around the wound. To do this, you can take brilliant green or iodine. After that, you need to make a bandage (apply a sterile bandage).
Further care includes the application of ointments, daily rinsing and other treatments.
In especially advanced cases, the doctor prescribes surgical intervention. For example, if the wound is lacerated, open, with the presence of foreign bodies, etc. The surgeon performs a deep cleaning, removing blood clots, fragments, dead tissue and cells. This will speed up the healing process. If necessary, the doctor excises the uneven edges, and then sutures.

Quite often, the doctor suggests introducing a special tetanus serum, and in case of bites from unvaccinated animals, a rabies vaccine. Do not give up the procedure, as this will prevent complications.

Wound treatment rules

For processing, you will need a sterile bandage and gauze wipes, scissors washed in alcohol, sterile gloves, adhesive plaster, solutions and ointments.

Initially, the area around the wound is washed and treated with hydrogen peroxide, manganese or other solutions. Next, cut a sterile napkin to fit the wound with scissors, apply ointment to it and apply to the hearth. After that, bandage. All manipulations must be done with gloves.

If you remove a bandage with accumulated pus, wear rubber gloves. After removing the purulent napkin, be sure to change gloves. Otherwise, you run the risk of spreading the infection throughout the body.

Before treating purulent wounds, you need to familiarize yourself with the main methods. Medical principles of treatment include the following:

cleansing of purulent fluid and dead tissues, cells;
neutralization of puffiness and other symptoms;
destruction of bacteria.

If pus cannot be removed naturally, drainage is performed. It can be passive or active.

In the first case, drainage from tubes, strips, turundas and napkins dipped in antiseptics is used. Active drainage involves the use of suction devices.

Antibacterial therapy

For example, with insignificant suppuration, local exposure is sufficient, and in more complex cases, complex treatment is prescribed. That is, the wounds are treated with antibacterial ointments and solutions, and the patient takes pills inside. Injections are often prescribed.

The most popular antibiotics for purulent wounds:

tetracyclines;
cephalosporins;
penicillins.

Treatment with pharmacy ointments and creams

Modern pharmacology produces a huge number of universal ointments that have a comprehensive effect. But what kind of ointment to use for purulent wounds in a particular case will be decided by the attending physician and yourself, yourself.

List of the best ointments:

“Eplan” refers to a universal remedy, as it is used not only for the treatment of purulent wounds, but also for dermatitis, ulcerative lesions, burns. The ointment has microbicidal properties, thereby suppressing harmful bacteria. Also, the drug regenerates damaged tissues. The composition does not contain antibiotics, synthetic harmful additives and hormones. It is strictly forbidden to use for bleeding wounds, since the ointment has an anticoagulant effect (blood does not coagulate well).
“Baneocin” belongs to the antibacterial group. Quickly heals wounds, destroys bacteria, speeds up metabolic processes and relieves pain. It is recommended to use it at the stages of recovery or immediately after injury, since it is intended to be applied to a clean cavity. Can also be used after deep cleansing of purulent fluid.
Vishnevsky’s ointment has been used since Soviet times, but even now it has not lost its popularity. Has another pharmacological name – “Liniment balsamic”. It is an antiseptic. It neutralizes bacteria, eliminates inflammation, and has an immunomodulatory effect at the local level. Due to the irritating effect on tissue receptors, blood microcirculation and tissue healing are accelerated.
Salicylic and ichthyol ointment is an antibiotic. Relieves pain syndrome, regenerates tissues, destroys pathogenic microorganisms.
Streptocide ointment is used only for superficial suppuration and the presence of streptococcus bacteria. Stops the growth and reproduction of the pathogen.
The Rescuer comes in the form of a balm. The peculiarity is that after application a thin film is formed, therefore deep cleansing is necessary.
“Levomekol” belongs to the group of antibiotics and reparants. In addition to tissue regeneration and bacteria destruction, it additionally cleans the wound cavity.
“Solcoseryl” is used only for weeping wounds. The surface must be cleaned and dried before application.
A group of ointments: “Heparin”, “Troxevasin”, Dolobene “. They do not kill bacteria, but they quickly relieve symptoms. They have an analgesic and resorbing effect. Eliminate inflammation, thin the blood, preventing blood clots from forming in the wound.

Treatment with pharmacological solutions

The most common and demanded drugs:

“Dimexide” is produced in the form of a solution, ointment and concentrate for diluting the solution. It has anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, analgesic and antiseptic effects. After treatment with such a solution, the susceptibility of the skin to other drugs increases. That is, they are easier to digest and act faster. The solution can be used to wash the wound, apply a compress or application.
“Dioxidin” is available in the form of solutions and ointments. It is a synthetic antibacterial drug. Has a comprehensive impact. Kills bacteria with hydroxymethylquinoxalindioxide, which destroys bacterial cell walls.
Hypertonic salt solution, in other words “sodium chloride”. Refers to physiotherapeutic fluid and active sorbent. For treatment, it is used at a concentration of 0.9%. An isotonic solution is able to draw in purulent fluids in the tissues and cells of the body. Along with pus, pathogenic bacteria come out. Feature: living healthy cells, leukocytes and erythrocytes are not damaged.

Home treatment: traditional medicine recipes

Modern medicine does not deny the positive effect of medicinal herbs and other components used in traditional medicine.

After all, many drugs are made from extracts and plant extracts. Therefore, folk remedies are popular.

How to flush a purulent wound at home

This pathology is a tissue defect (primarily soft), which combines all five possible signs of inflammation, as well as an infectious process.

A purulent wound is usually complicated by the fact that the patient’s general condition deteriorates significantly, febrile fever develops and immunity is rapidly depleted.

If bitten by a dog

Outside the city, there are frequent cases of dog attacks. What if someone close, God forbid, was bitten? Calm the victim first. And then it is necessary to rinse and treat the wound, even if it is a slight damage to the skin.
Experts advise rinsing the bite wound generously for 10-15 minutes with warm water. If possible, you can gently wash with laundry soap – the alkali from it acts as an antimicrobial agent. And the dog’s mouth is full of germs that can lead to inflammation, and sepsis, and tetanus.
Next, treat the wound with hydrogen peroxide or a pink solution of potassium permanganate, and its edges with iodine or brilliant green. Apply a sterile dressing with Levomekol ointment on top.
Do not bandage the wound too tightly – dangerous bacteria will come out with the blood.
Bitten an arm or a leg? To reduce pain – lift the limb as high as possible – this will reduce blood flow.
A dog bite is a reason to see a doctor. You may need to get a tetanus vaccine.

The dog’s mouth is full of germs that can lead to inflammation, sepsis, and tetanus.

When should you see a doctor?

If the wound is deep or the bleeding does not stop, see a doctor – you may need a doctor’s stitches and special therapy.

When exactly is it necessary to seek qualified help?

For lacerations and cuts, if the wound is larger or deeper than 1.5 centimeters.
If there are several wounds.
When bitten by animals, including not only dogs, but also foxes, rodents and even hedgehogs, a prompt appeal to a doctor is generally a matter of life and death, because we can talk about infection with rabies or tetanus.
If the wound is accompanied by pulsating bleeding.
The blood does not stop within 20 minutes.
Deep cuts on the arms: hands and wrists, wounds on the face, neck, head.
If the victim is nauseous, his head is dizzy.
If the wound is dirty, from a rusty object, and you are not sure if you have been vaccinated against tetanus in the last 5 years.
If the wound is inflamed, it does not heal well, there is redness and swelling around it.
During the day and later after the injury, the temperature rose and remains high.
A small child is injured.

Possible complications and what to do about it

Possible complications that may arise.

Serroma – the formation of exudate in the cavity. The wound cavity will not heal. With a secondary infection, suppuration begins.
Hematoma develops with ineffective measures to stop bleeding. The blood compresses the tissues, causing them to necrosis. It is an ideal breeding ground for pathogenic flora. A wound that had been sewn up for a long time begins to fester.
Necrosis is formed due to abnormalities in the suture. The tissues do not receive nutrients, they swell and die. Excision is indicated due to the risk of sepsis.
An abscess is the formation of phlegmon that appear when a secondary infection is attached. Often pathologies are the result of the patient’s reluctance to contact the emergency room in a timely manner.
The divergence of the edges occurs due to inaccuracy after removing the seams. Treatment is only surgical.
Malignancy occurs with a prolonged inflammatory process, the absence of epithelialization in a timely manner.

All conditions are accompanied by pain, edema and hyperemia of nearby tissues. With the addition of sepsis, the temperature rises to pyretic values, a decrease in pressure, dehydration is observed. If such symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a medical facility. The surgeon will have to re-treat the sutured wound and prescribe antibiotic therapy.

Why do you need to process seams

The key to successful healing of a postoperative wound is clean, uninfected stitches. If antiseptics are not observed, the infection penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin, which causes purulent complications in the form of phlegmon, abscess and deep tissue necrosis.

It’s important to know! The timing of healing depends not only on the treatment of postoperative stitches. The duration of treatment is influenced by the age of the patient, the severity of tissue damage, the volume of surgery, and the features of the course of the postoperative recovery period.

How to properly handle the wound and suture

Before the sutures are removed, the dressing is changed daily with solutions and ointments of silver nitrate, antibiotics, and hydrogen peroxide. Stitches are removed mainly on the 7th day after the operation. Immediately after this, the scar is cauterized with a solution of potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide.

On the day of discharge, the attending physician gives recommendations on the further management of the postoperative suture and recommends a suitable antiseptic. Treatment at home is carried out 1-3 times a day, depending on the properties of the disinfectant solution. Cauterizing solutions are used no more than 1 time per day. Water and alcoholic tinctures are processed 2-3 times a day.

Important! For effective disinfection of the wound, water procedures after treatment are not carried out for 2-3 hours. The first days after discharge from the hospital, it is not recommended to wet fresh stitches and scars at all.

Dry scar care

With successful healing, a scar will form almost immediately after discharge from the hospital. Signs of a dry scar:

Absence of pus, exudate, serous fluid discharge from the wound.
Pink or pale pink.
Normal temperature of the skin over the surface of the scar.
Absence of keloids (pathological growths of scar tissue).

The processing of such a scar is carried out with ordinary greenery 1-2 times a day for 7 days. During the procedures, the condition of the scar tissue is checked and signs of inflammation are detected. The final healing of the scar should proceed in the open air; it is not recommended to close the defect with bandages and plasters.

What to do if the seam gets wet

The beginning of weeping is the first sign of serous inflammation. The exudative fluid is clear or yellowish. Oozing is accompanied by inflammation of the wound surface: a forming scar of red color, hot to the touch, painful on palpation.

Inflammation is a complication of the postoperative recovery period, therefore, it is necessary to inform the attending physician about this as soon as possible and seek medical help. Drying agents are used as first aid: salicylic ointment, boric acid solution, lotions with a decoction of oak bark, ointments and solutions based on silver nitrate.

What to do if the seam is festering

The separation of a thick, yellow or greenish fluid from the wound cavity indicates the addition of a purulent infection – a serious complication of the postoperative period. Treatment measures should be started as soon as possible.

Important! The accession of a purulent infection is dangerous by the development of soft tissue phlegmon, abscesses of subcutaneous fat and organs up to necrosis.

Purulent inflammation proceeds with a vivid clinical picture. In addition to the discharge from the wound, the patient is worried about weakness, fever. The temperature rises to 39-40C. The wound surface is bright red, hot to the touch, sharply painful on palpation. The skin around the seam is shiny and tense.

If such symptoms appear at home, the patient should immediately go to the emergency room of the hospital or to the surgeon at the polyclinic at the place of residence. As a first aid, washing the seams with a solution of hydrogen peroxide, dressings with Levomekol or Vishnevsky’s ointment is used. Cauterization with potassium permanganate or brilliant green is not recommended, as this will complicate the doctor’s work when processing seams.

Overview of Accelerated Healing Products

Medicines will help speed up the healing of the wound surface:

Panthenol and its analogues. The preparation contains Dexapanthenol, extracts of medicinal plants, vitamins. These substances stimulate cell regeneration, rarely cause allergies.
Argosulfan. Contains silver ions with antibacterial properties. The remedy eliminates pain, prevents the spread of infections, promotes healing of the injured area. The dosage of the medication on the surface of the wound is prescribed in the instructions attached to it. Usually, the ointment is applied 2 times a day for no more than two months.
Sea buckthorn oil. If the wound is in the healing phase, regeneration can be accelerated by applying the agent to the bandage, which is applied to the sore spot and fixed with a bandage or plaster, worn for several hours.

Healing time of a sutured wound

The healing period of a sutured wound goes through 4 stages. The speed of each depends on the localization of the injured area – thigh, chin, lower leg, eyebrow, other parts of the body. It is impossible to speed up the process with inflammation, suppuration and other complications.

Rehabilitation phases:

Hemostasis. The stage lasts a few minutes. Fibrin filaments are formed, which stop the outflow of blood from the affected vessels. A pressure bandage applied to a sutured wound can speed up the process.
Inflammation. The body must suppress the pathogenic flora that has got on the damaged tissue. Immune cells rush to this site, edema and a pathological process develop. Duration of rehabilitation: 7 days. It is forbidden to wet the cavity.
Proliferation. Collagen, connective tissue begins to form, a young scar is formed. During the recovery process, it may itch, pull, but does not cause pain. Duration: 4 weeks. It is allowed to smear the seam with creams with regenerating properties.
Scar formation occurs within 1 year. The primary collagen is replaced with permanent collagen. The seam changes color from bright red to whitish, the length stabilizes.

When complications appear, the healing time of the sutured surface increases for the time of rehabilitation, treatment of pathological processes.

The wound is sutured in a medical institution using special materials and tools. Using a regular needle to suture is prohibited. Timely assistance reduces the risk of consequences.

How to heal damage yourself

If the area of damage is relatively small, it can be cured at home.

The means that are used for this:

salicylic ointment is a powerful antiseptic. It is applied to the damage, a bandage is applied on top;
in the way indicated above, you can use ichthyol ointment;
streptocide is effective for superficial injuries: you need to finely crumble the tablet and sprinkle the wound with this powder;
balsam “Rescuer” creates a thin film on the surface of the skin, therefore it is applied only to a pre-treated wound or cut;
solcoseryl (ointment for dry species, gel – for weeping);
zinc ointment can dry out damage with excessive discharge;
“Imanin” is also used to dry weeping wounds;
panthenol can only be used to treat abrasions or burns;
with the help of the Eplan preparation you can disinfect the damaged area and reduce the risk of infection;
Traumeel ointment will help get rid of pain in the presence of hematomas, bruises and other injuries.

Alternative medicine for open wounds

For minor damage, you can use unconventional methods. Below are the most effective and popular ones:

propolis – a remedy for the treatment of weeping wounds;
A mixture of aloe juice, sea buckthorn oils and rose hips will help heal a small, open, non-wet wound.

Remember! Before using non-traditional drugs, be sure that the person is not allergic to one of the components.

Conclusion

It is best if the open wounds are treated by real professional surgeons who will be able to timely establish the onset of the development of the inflammatory process and choose an effective treatment for open wounds.

If you nevertheless decide to carry out the treatment process at home, constantly monitor the well-being of the sick person.

If he has a fever or a wound begins to hurt badly, urgently seek medical help, because there is a risk that a dangerous infectious process is already developing on the damaged area, which will only progress every day without special treatment, worsening the patient’s condition.

Sources used and useful links on the topic: https://Lifehacker.ru/chem-obrabotat-ranu/ https://hospitalvv.ru/hirurg/obrabotka-rany.html https://vseotravmah.ru/rany/obrabotka-ran .html https://GoryReki.ru/pomoshch/obrabotat-ranu.html https://zen.yandex.com/media/sovety_dlya_zh/kak-pravilno-obrabotat-ranu-5e896551e42ae3177732013c https://MedLazaret.ru/drugoe/ kak-pravilno-obrabotat-otkrytuyu-ranu.html https://BezTravmy.ru/rany/obrabotat.html https://MedBoli.ru/zabolevaniya/chem-obrabotat-ranu https://www.policlinica2.ru/gastroenterologiya /kak-obrabotat-ranu-v-domashnih-usloviyah-osnovnye-pravila-dezinfektsii-chistyh-i-gnojnyh-obrazovanij.html https://www.kp.ru/putevoditel/zdorove/obrabotka-rany/ https://extremale.ru/pervaja-pomosh/kak-i-chem-pravilno-obrabotat-glubokuju-otkrytuju-ranu.html https://www.policlinica2.ru/ginekologiya/chem-obrabatyvat-rezanye-rany-narodnye -i-meditsinskie-sredstva-zazhivleniya.html

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