How to clean a wound that is correct and medically safe

Have you ever fallen from a motorcycle or bicycle in an accident? Usually after falling, your body will be injured. This wound must be cleaned first! If you procrastinate, this could be a problem later on. Since wound infections pose serious risks, cleaning the wound is an important part of it. Some types of infections can even cause death. Then what is the correct way to clean the wound? Check out the answer below!

Do not clean the wound yourself in this condition

According to the health website WebMD, wounds on the skin should be cleaned thoroughly to reduce the risk of infection and to prevent scarring (keloids) so that the healing process can be faster. The way to deal with the first wound is to stop the bleeding first. Whether it's light or heavy bleeding.

Before cleaning the wound, the blood can be stopped by pressing or closing the part of the wound. However, if the bleeding has not stopped, seek emergency medical help immediately. The reason is, losing a lot of blood can cause various problems.

Some of the following wound conditions require you to seek help immediately.

• The area of ​​the wound is large or wide and requires stitches.
• The wound was deep.
• Wounds that are very painful when cleaned by themselves.
• If there is still dirt, gravel, debris, or debris that cannot be retrieved.

Medically correct way to clean wounds

If you can't go to the doctor right away, it's a good idea to wash or clean the wound for about 5 to 10 minutes using clean running water.

For light bleeding or to clean a wound that is not too heavy, you should stop the bleeding with a clean, sterile cotton swab or cloth.

To clean dirt, you can use tweezers that have been sterilized. You can sterilize the tweezers with alcohol or a special wound antiseptic. When cleaning the wound, do not push the tweezers into the wound as much as possible.

Then, wash the wound with water. If possible, use running water which will remove dirt and bacteria. You can also use soaps that don't contain too many chemicals, such as fragrances or preservatives. However, if the wound is in the eye area, avoid using soap products of any kind as much as possible.

Use water with medium pressure, such as tap water. Usually cold water will make the wound feel better than warm water. Washing the wound will help remove any dirt, bacteria, and can reduce the risk of infection.

Clean the wound gently with water, soap and a sterile cloth. Rubbing the wound too hard can cause tissue damage and increase the chance of the wound spreading. Also, rubbing open wounds can increase the risk of bleeding.

Here are instructions on how to clean your wound:

• Wash hands first with soap and running water if not available, use hand sanitizer .
• Use medical gloves before cleaning the wound if you have one.
• If possible, allow the person with the wound to clean the wound themselves.
• Using bare hands to clean a wound is a last resort if gloves and medical supplies are not available.

Then what if the wound is very large, deep, and dirty?

Very dirty, deep, and large wounds usually require a doctor's evaluation before thorough cleaning, including possibly requiring stitches. In addition, usually deep and large wounds require antibiotics.

However, in essence, if you feel worried about your injury, you should immediately visit the nearest health service.

Protect your wound

If you want to protect your wound from getting dirty or exposed to bacteria, it's a good idea to use a clean, sterile dressing. The dressing or bandage must be applied carefully.

To prevent the wound from rotting and becoming infected, it's a good idea to use a cotton ball that is first given a special wound antiseptic, then bandaged with sterile gauze.

Remember to bandage the wound only after it has been cleaned. Always change the dressing or bandage once a day. Watch for signs of infection, such as discharge of pus or you have a fever. You must contact a doctor immediately.