First Aid Wound Treatment to Prevent Infection

 Infection is prone to happen whenever a break on the skin occurs. Be careful not to touch the open would with your fingers or with any thing else that may be carrying bacteria. Do not cough or breathe heavily over the wounded area. The germs from your own nose and throat may find their way into the wound and cause more trouble.

If the wound looks somewhat clean and the bleeding has ceased, cover the area with a sterile dressing and patch it firmly in place. Small wounds need only a small adhesive bandage tape over the dressing. Leave the wound alone until the it has been examined thoroughly by doctor. It will probably heal without any additional complications.

If the wound is soiled or mudded and the patient can’t be brought to a clinic for several hours,something must be done to prevent further infection. Wash the whole area with care using gentle soap and clean warm water. Gently take out all the surface dirt while running the soapy water into the deeper parts of the wound. Then apply the dressing over the wound and bandage it securely in place.

A slight bleeding is often good for healing, for it helps remove some of the causes of infection. But if there is much bleeding, heavy pressure should be applied over the wound to allow the blood to clot. Wait for about 15 minutes while applying steady pressure over the wound. Don’t remove the dressing every few minutes just to find out what is happening. This hinders the blood from clotting.

If after fifteen minutes the bleeding has not stopped at all, try applying pressure on the nearest “pressure point.” If this does not work, then a tourniquet may be necessary. This is seldom needed.

© 1/3/2011 Athena Goodlight - Healthmad