How to Pack a Wound

Deep wounds are never fun, and changing the dressings can be painful. But it's important to dress wounds properly to help them heal. Most likely a doctor or nurse can pack the wound for you the first time. But then you must take care of it at home until it heals.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2-by-2 or 4-by-4 inch gauze (size depends on wound)
• Sterile water or saline
• Sterile gloves
• Adhesive tape
• Feminine pad (optional)

1. Take pain medication about half an hour before you plan to change the dressing. Removing any gauze currently in the wound hurts, especially if the wound has dried to the gauze.

2. Soak the gauze in warm water by letting the shower water run over it, if the gauze is sticking to the wound.

3. Wash your hands. Put on sterile gloves, if the wound is large. Then slowly remove the current dressing, and discard.

4. Clean the inside of the wound by pouring the sterile water or saline over the wound. Or, if the wound is deep enough, wet several pieces of gauze with the sterile water or saline, and swipe the gauze across the sides of the wound.

5. Moisten the gauze that you are using to pack the wound with the sterile water or saline. The amount of gauze you need depends on the size of the wound. Ask your doctor if it's necessary to use sterile gauze.

6. Push a corner of the gauze into the wound, and then pack the rest of the gauze on top of it. Continue in the same manner with more pieces of gauze as needed. There should be enough gauze in the wound to prevent the edges from touching.

7. Place a gauze pad over the top of the wound, and tape it down. Some medical tapes can irritate your skin, especially if you have to do this for a while.

8. Rinse your hands after finishing.

Tips & Warnings

• Your doctor might suggest something different in your wound care regimen. Follow your doctor's directions.
• Ask your doctor you how often you should change the dressing, and for how long.
• If you think you need tape, tear it off before you begin packing the wound, and adhere it to a clean surface nearby.
• The gauze should fit tightly, but should not be painful. If any gauze doesn't fit in the wound, just fold it over the edge of the wound. You can use a cotton swab to push the gauze into the wound if you prefer, or if your fingers don't fit.
• Try different types of tape, if irritation develops. Silk and paper tapes tend to be gentler on the skin. Or, as crazy as it sounds, place a feminine pad over the wound. It already has adhesive on the back, so tape and tape irritation isn't an issue then.
• Contact your doctor if you experience increasing pain, tenderness, redness, or itching in or around the wound. There might be some itching with healing, but watch for worsening conditions.
• Contact your doctor should a fever develop. This can be a sign of infection.
• If you notice a foul smell coming from the wound, consult your doctor.

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[swtndspcy]

on 5/31/2009 It is important to use 100% cotton gauze to pack the wound. The rayon/poly blends dry out and stick causing pain when they are removed. The 100% cotton gauze can be hard to find, but most drug store/pharmacies should have it. I also found the Kendall brand at Wal-Mart. It may be easier to have someone else pack the wound for the first few days when pain is at it worst, however after pain has subsided you may pack your own wound with the help of mirrors if need be. You will most likely do a better job then someone else (unless you are fortunate enough to have a home health nurse doing your wound care) merely because most people will be afraid to push the gauze in to the tight places for fear of hurting you. But it is important to push the guaze into those tight places so that the wound heals properly. The object of packing is so that the tissue heals from the inside out and to "wick" ...