How to Clean a Wound and Apply a Wound Dressing

When a cut or wound occurs, it's really important to wash and disinfect the wound properly in order to avoid infection and scarring from the injury. Proper wound dressing technique is also important to help prevent infection. Read on to learn how to wash, disinfect and dress a cut or other wound.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Anti-Bacterial Soap
• Running Water
• Sterile Gauze Pad -OR- Rolled Gauze
• Medical Tape or Band-Aids
• Betadine
• Antibiotic Ointment
• A Fresh Wound or Cut!

1. STOP THE BLEEDING: A wound cannot be treated until the bleeding is brought under control. To stop bleeding, apply firm pressure to the wound. Sterile gauze pads are ideal, but they're not always available. A clean paper towel or cloth is a suitable substitute.

2. WASH THE WOUND: Once the bleeding has stopped, the wound must be washed to clean away debris and bacteria. Use an anti-bacterial soap to wash the wound for two full minutes and flush the cut under running water for two full minutes.

3. DISINFECT THE WOUND WITH BETADINE: Betadine is a surgical-grade antiseptic solution that will kill bacteria and prevent infection. Pour some betadine over the wound and be sure it's applied to the area around the wound, creating a sterile one-inch diameter around the cut or wound.

4. LET THE WOUND AIR DRY: Do not touch the wound once it's been washed and disinfected with Betadine in order to avoid contamination that could lead to infection.

5. APPLY ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT TO THE WOUND: Apply a generous amount of antibiotic ointment onto the wound to ward off infection and promote healing.

6. BANDAGE THE WOUND: Apply a sterile dressing or bandage to the wound. Rolled gauze works well for arms and legs. Gauze pads are also a great option, but they must be taped down on all four sides to prevent contamination of the wound site. Band-Aids are not ideal for more serious cuts and wounds because bacteria tends to slip under the Band-Aid pad since it's not taped down.

7. APPLY AN ICE PACK TO HELP WITH SWELLING AND PAIN: Many wounds and cuts will result in swelling and this swelling is the cause of much pain and discomfort. Decrease swelling and pain by applying an ice pack to the wound for 20-minute increments several times a day.

8. REPEAT STEPS 2 THROUGH 5 TWICE A DAY: The bandage must be changed at least twice a day. During each bandage change, the wound must be thoroughly washed with antibacterial soap and then flushed.

9. LOOK FOR SIGNS OF INFECTION: Signs of an infection include pus discharge, redness, pain, increasing swelling, odor and delayed healing. An infected wound will need immediate medical attention from a physician, who will likely have to prescribe oral antibiotics.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash a wound as soon as possible after the injury occurs. Leaving debris and bacteria inside the wound after the injury dramatically increases the chance of infection.
• You may need stitches for more severe wounds and cuts. Stitches are usually required for cuts and wounds on the face, cuts over one inch in length, cuts and wounds located on a mobile area of the body (like a joint) and wounds over one inch in length where a large "flap" of skin has been created.
• A visit to the doctor's office or hospital is necessary in the case of a bite wound. Dog bites, cat bites, and even bites from other humans can easily become infected, causing pain, delayed healing and scarring.

Resources

• How to Clean an Animal Bite Wound at Home