Be aware of the dangers of using alcohol on wounds

Before covering the wound with a bandage or gauze, you need to clean it first to reduce the risk of infection and speed up recovery. The use of alcohol for wounds is believed to be effective because this material is sterile. While on the other hand, alcohol is a harsh substance that should not be used on the skin carelessly.

Effects of using alcohol to wounds on skin tissue

Open wound tissue is a sensitive area and is prone to infection. You have to handle it as best you can, starting with cleaning it using safe materials to covering it up to avoid exposure to germs.

Alcohol is quite effective at preventing bacterial growth, but it turns out that this substance should not be used to clean wounds. This is because alcohol can cause a burning sensation in wounds and damage healthy skin tissue. The result is swelling and itching which can be mistaken for inflammation.

In addition, alcohol dries out the surface of the skin and has the potential to cause an irritating reaction. Instead of speeding up recovery, using alcohol on the wound will actually make the healing process take longer.

The same is true of antiseptic drugs containing hydrogen peroxide. Like alcohol, hydrogen peroxide is also effective in preventing disease-causing germs from multiplying. However, the side effects can be detrimental to the skin because these compounds eradicate all components in the wound, including healthy skin cells.

Another thing that needs to be considered when treating wounds

Apart from avoiding using alcohol to clean a wound, there are a number of other things you should be careful about when treating a wound. The following include:

1. Keep the wound area moist

You can apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to a large cut or wound to keep moisture away. This aims to speed up recovery, avoid infection, and prevent the bandage from sticking. Germs can thrive on damp skin, so make sure that it's also clean.

2. Do not expose the wound to open air

Not a few people mistakenly leave the wound exposed to open air so that it dries quickly. In fact, wounds left in this condition can become exposed to germs and dirt, increasing the chance of infection. So, the wound that has been cleaned should be covered with a bandage or bandage to keep it sterile.

3. Do not apply materials that are not recommended on the wound

Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are just examples of materials that are not recommended for cleaning wounds. Other products that can moisturize the skin under normal conditions, such as lotions, should also be avoided. In addition to increasing the risk of infection, these products usually contain irritating perfumes.

4. Itching does not always indicate the wound has healed

Itching usually occurs when the wound starts to dry up, but this does not always indicate that the wound has healed. In some cases, itching can actually be a sign of an allergy to the antibiotic ointment or bandages used. If the itching gets worse or continues, consult a doctor immediately.

Although it can kill germs, using alcohol to clean wounds actually does more harm than good. In fact, you only need to use running water and antiseptic soap to clean scratches or small ones. This method is quite effective in keeping the wound area clean before covering it with a bandage.