Disinfecting a wound is very important during wound care . It helps to prevent infections and promotes rapid healing. Whether it is a small cut or a graze, proper disinfection is essential to avoid complications. In this knowledge article we discuss why and how to disinfect a wound.
Why disinfect a wound?
Disinfecting your wound is important to remove bacteria and other pathogens. If you do not clean a wound properly, bacteria can multiply, which can lead to infection.
An infected wound can cause pain, swelling and redness and in severe cases, lead to fever and further health complications.
It is therefore very important that you always disinfect a wound correctly.
How to disinfect a wound? Follow these steps!
Disinfecting a wound should be approached carefully to reduce the risk of infection. Follow the steps below to properly disinfect a wound:
- Step 1 Wash hands: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent new bacteria from entering the wound.
- Step 2 Rinsing the wound: Rinse the wound with clean, running water to remove dirt. This is important to prepare the wound for disinfection. If you can’t rinse all the dirt out of the wound, you can carefully remove the remaining dirt with tweezers.
- Step 3 Drying the skin: Gently dry the skin around the wound with a clean sterile gauze or cloth.
- Step 4 Apply Disinfectant: Apply a disinfectant, such as an alcohol-free antiseptic solution, to kill the bacteria in the wound.
- Step 5: Dab the skin: allow the disinfectant to work for a while and then gently pat it dry with a new sterile gauze.
- Step 6 Cover the wound: Cover the wound with a sterile bandage or plaster to protect it from dirt. In the case of very superficial wounds such as minor abrasions, you can also leave the wound uncovered.
Please note! Avoid using cotton wool to clean the wound, as this can cause lint.
What can you use to disinfect a wound?
There are several disinfectants you can use to disinfect a wound:
- Chlorhexidine solution: A disinfectant often used to disinfect wounds. It often consists of a combination of chlorhexidine and alcohol.
- Iodine-containing solutions: such as povidone-iodine, this active substance is known for its antibacterial properties.
What resources should you avoid?
Not all agents are suitable for disinfecting a wound. Avoid using the following agents:
- Pure alcohol: Disinfecting a wound with pure alcohol can be very painful. It can also damage the tissue in the wound, which will only slow down the healing process.
- Hydrogen peroxide : Although sometimes used, excessive use can damage healthy tissue.
- Strong soaps : Strong cleansing soaps can irritate your skin and further damage the wound if you are sensitive to certain ingredients.
Other aids for disinfecting a wound
In addition to disinfectants, there are other tools that are useful in caring for a wound:
- Sterile gauze pads: Sterile gauze pads are ideal for dabbing and drying a wound.
- Plasters: Plasters are useful for covering small wounds after disinfection. They offer protection against dirt and possible chafing from clothing.
- Bandage: To cover larger wounds, gauze in combination with a bandage is desirable to provide extra protection and support.
- Tweezers: You can use tweezers to remove any remaining dirt after rinsing.
When should you consult a doctor?
It is advisable to consult a doctor in the following cases:
- In case of a deep wound or heavy bleeding.
- If there are signs of infection, such as pus formation, increasing redness, swelling or warmth around the wound.
- If you have any doubts as to whether you have cleaned the wound properly.
- If the wound was caused by an animal bite or dirty object.
- If you have suffered a wound and your tetanus vaccination has not been updated recently.
Medical Disclaimer: When in doubt about treatment, always have wound care performed by a qualified medical professional. In case of serious injuries, immediately call 911 or consult a physician.