How to Treat Open Wounds
Treating open wounds is necessary to prevent further damage to the area and prevent infection. Knowing the difference between open wounds is essential, as an open wound caused by trauma is easier safer to clean then an open wound which was cause by a skin infection. This article covers the basis on how to treat an open wound caused by trauma.
Things You'll Need
- Open wound
- Medical gloves (depending upon severity and patient)
- Bandages of assorted size
- Gauze
- Medical tape
- Sterile water
- Triple antibiotic cream
- Tweezers
Instructions
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1
Gather your needed items quickly. To assure speed keep all the first aid supply items in one central location so you can grab them quickly when they are needed.
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2
Examine the wound and determine if it is trauma based or a skin infection. If this open wound is trauma induced such as road rash from a bicycle accident, it is easy to clean. Set the patient on a chair or for little patients set them on the counter or tabletop to make things easier for the both of you.
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3
Gently clean the wound with warm sterile water and gauze. Flush away the dirt and debris and repeat as needed. If the open wound is just skin-deep where a few layers of skin have come off apply some triple antibiotic cream to the bandage and then apply to the open wound. If there are more then a few skin layers off, precede to the next step.
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4
Apply gentle pressure to stop a bleeding wound, simply by pressing down on the area around the open wound. If you see debris embedded within the wound, remove it with the tweezers if it is something small. Go ahead and bandage this open wound as needed. Large open areas may need gauze and medical tape bandaging.
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Tips & Warnings
If bleeding continues, call 911 or transport the patient to the hospital.
If you see bone or there is an object embedded, call your local emergency room.
Always use gloves in treating open wounds unless you know the patient does not have any infectious diseases.
