How to Clean a Wound Properly at Home to Prevent Infection

Wounds are very common in daily life. An average American faces around 35 scratches and bruises per year, according to a recent survey. From scraped knees to cuts and injuries, anything can happen. These wounds can lead to infection if you don’t know how to take care of them. Those who undergo surgeries also need proper wound care at home. In this article, we’ll talk about how to clean a wound at home, and why you should consider getting expert care through home health care providers like Nurse Next Door McLean for major and serious wounds.

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Why Proper Wound Cleaning Matters

Your skin is your body’s shield against all the infectious germs around you. When it breaks, bacteria and dirt can easily enter. That’s what causes redness, swelling, or infection in your wound. 

Cleaning a wound properly makes all the difference here. Why? It removes debris and bacteria before they can start to grow in your wound. Even if a cut looks small initially and you think it’s insignificant, it can go as far as causing cellulitis, which is an extremely painful condition.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean a Wound at Home

1. Wash your hands first. You need to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds to make sure they are germ-free.
   
2. Stop any bleeding. To stop your wound from bleeding, you need to put pressure on it for around 3-5 minutes with a piece of gauze or a clean cloth. A piece of gauze is preferable as it is sterile and it comes in medical-grade, safe packing.
   
3. Rinse the wound. You need to use only water and nothing else. Just put the wound under running water, don’t rub it.
   
4. Remove dirt or debris. Disinfect a pair of tweezers with an alcohol swab and pull out any foreign material – if there’s anything stuck in your wound.
   
5. Clean around the wound. Use a little bit of soap and water. Clean around (not inside) the cut.
   
6. Pat dry. Use a clean towel or sterile gauze.
   
7. Apply an antibiotic ointment. This will keep the wound moist and also save it from infection.
   
8. Cover it. You need to apply a sterile dressing on the wound – preferably one that will not stick to it and create unnecessary traction when you remove it. Use a wet gauze underneath (there are commercially available options soaked in paraffin which won’t dry up over time) before you cover it with dry gauze padding and apply a medical adhesive tape on it.
   
9. Keep it clean. Wash hands again before and after touching the wound.

Plus, you’re going to need a dressing change if the dressing becomes wet or dirty, or if it’s been 24 hours since you applied it. 

How Long Does a Scratch Take to Heal? 

Healing time depends on how deep your scratch is. If it’s superficial, it will close within the next few days, and it will be fully healed within one to two weeks. Deeper wounds can take longer – they can even take 3 weeks or more at times. Obviously, there are other factors involved, like age, diet, and health. 

But how long does a scratch take to heal if the person has diabetes? People with diabetes often have slower wound healing – especially if their blood sugar is poorly controlled. The drier and cleaner you keep your wound, the speedier your recovery will be. If your wound keeps getting redder, more swollen, or starts oozing pus, you should immediately talk to a doctor about it. 

How to Treat a Deep Cut on a Finger

A deep cut on your finger will start bleeding heavily, and it can easily pick up bacteria from any surface you touch. That is why it’s important to know how to treat a deep cut on a finger: apply pressure with a clean cloth or sterile gauze till the bleeding stops and your body has created a barrier against the environment. Then put your finger under running water. Once it is clean, you can apply an antibiotic and a bandage as described above. 

Change the dressing at least once daily to make sure the wound stays dry and clean. Keep your hand elevated and don’t soak it in water as long as it is healing. Here are some signs that you should talk to your doctor:

• If the wound edges gape open 
• If you can see fat or muscle tissue
• If your bleeding doesn’t stop within 10 minutes.

Your doctor might need to stitch your wound if you are seeing these signs. It might get infected or leave a scar if you don’t do this. Plus, your finger movement will be restored in time if you get stitches. 

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When to Seek Medical Help

See a healthcare professional if:

• The cut is deeper than 1/4 inch.
• It hasn’t stopped bleeding for over 10 minutes.
• There’s visible debris that you can’t remove without hurting yourself
• The redness is increasing, or if there’s pus or swelling around your wound, or a foul smell is coming from it.
• If you haven’t had a tetanus shot in the last 10 years, you need one immediately!
• If you have a contaminated wound from animal bites, dirty objects, or rusty surfaces. 
• If you have diabetes, cardiac issues, or a weak immune system.

Tips to Prevent Infection and Speed Up Recovery 

The wound must stay clean. You should change the dressing once every 24 hours, and don’t touch your wound unnecessarily. Eat lots of fresh fruits and meat – you need vitamin C, zinc, and protein in your system for faster wound healing. Drink plenty of water and make sure you’re getting enough rest. 

Why Choose Nurse Next Door McLean for In-Home Wound Care 

After learning about how to clean a wound properly, you have probably realized that keeping a wound clean and taking proper care of it without professional help can be challenging. That’s why home healthcare agencies like Nurse Next Door McLean provide personalized in-home wound care. Our trained and experienced Registered Nurses (RNs) offer safe, professional wound care at home. From cleaning and dressing changes to ensuring healing with advanced techniques, Nurse Next Door McLean ensures recovery is comfortable, hygienic, and stress-free. Besides this, our team also educates the client and their family on how to take care of wounds at home. Call us at (703) 774-9421 to book a Free Caring Consult now.