Prevent infection

Once you have stopped the bleeding and cleaned the wound, you will want to prevent infections from developing. The most effective strategy is to apply a topical antibiotic to the wound and cover it with a dressing.

You can help prevent infection by:

• Applying a topical antibiotic, such as Neobiotic ointment to the wound. Topical antibiotics should be applied with each dressing change, or two to three times a day if the wound is left uncovered.
• Cover the wound to keep it moist and to protect the topical antibiotic.

Studies show that applying a topical antibiotic can promote healing in eight days, as opposed to 13 days for wounds left untreated. The use of mercurochrome and tincture of iodine was not as effective. These products resulted in healing over 13 and 15 days respectively.

Promote healing

You can promote healing and minimize the potential for scarring by covering the wound. Scientific studies show that keeping an injured area moist:

• promotes the growth of new tissue,
• lessens the potential for infection,
• minimizes scarring, and
• lessens the chance of further injury to the cut or scrape.

Many different sizes and types of wound dressings are available. Dressings should be changed daily or when they become wet or dirty.

Although covering a wound is generally the best choice, there are times when it’s appropriate to leave a wound uncovered. A scrape on a knee or elbow, for example, can often be left to heal uncovered after cleaning and applying a topical antibiotic.

Identifying secondary infection

You should examine the wound carefully to ensure that secondary infection has not developed. Signs of infection generally emerge a few days after the injury and include:

• red, swollen or warm skin surrounding the wound
• discharge and pus from the cut or scrape
• a red line moving up the limb from the wound
• fever.

If you suspect secondary infection, seek medical help.

Medical help for secondary infections

If you seek medical attention for a secondary infection of a cut or scrape, the doctor may swab the wound for bacteria.

Staph infections are the most common Bacterial Skin Infections, and can lead to impetigo elsewhere on the skin. Prescription and over-the-counter topical antibiotics have been shown to be as effective at treating localized infections as oral antibiotics – and they have fewer side effects. Home Wound Treatment