Wound care and wound healing process, this is in full

Wound healing process

Indeed, even if you have taken the right steps, sometimes you feel impatient and look forward to the time when the wound will heal. Even if it is covered with a bandage, there are times when the injured area is impacted and causes pain.

All wounds need a process to heal. The process of rebuilding skin cells damaged by injury will certainly take some time. So, what exactly is the wound healing process like?

The wound healing process begins when the skin has just been pricked or scratched. When injured, the skin will bleed.

Bleeding lasts for a few minutes or seconds before eventually the blood vessels will narrow to stop further bleeding. Platelet cells (blood clotting cells) that come out to this surface will begin to clot.

After that, the blood vessels will open slightly and send nutrients and oxygen to the wound to help it heal. White blood cells will also work by fighting bacteria and other microbes to prevent infection. In this process, the skin will be red as if it is inflamed.

In the next wound healing process, blood cells begin to produce chemical compounds that promote the production of collagen. This collagen will grow in the wound to form new skin cells. It is at this stage that the red wound turns into a scab that is more dull in color.

Over time, the tissue formed by this collagen will get stronger. Depending on the extent and severity of the wound, this new tissue maturation process may take months to years.

First aid in wound care

Source: Children's Primary Care Medical Group

If you fall or cut a knife, you should not cover it directly with the tape. You need to clean the wound first to reduce the risk of infection and speed up healing.

Don't get the wrong steps, here are the steps of first aid as wound care that must be done.

1. Wash hands

Before starting to clean a wound, wash your hands first using soap and running water. Or more practically, just use it hand sanitizer on both hands and wait for it to dry.

If available, use medical gloves to make them more sterile. Clean, closed hands can help prevent wound infection.

2. Press the area of the skin that is still bleeding

Gently press on the injured skin area with a clean cloth or sterile gauze until the bleeding stops. For small cuts or scratches do not need to be pressed.

Note that this step only applies to wounds that are bleeding. If you have burns, skip this step and get to the nearest doctor as soon as possible.

3. Clean the wound with water

Clean the wound with clean running water for 5 - 10 minutes. This is done to remove dirt stuck to the wound that can lead to infection.

After that, use a clean washcloth to clean the area around the wound. Rub lightly until most of the fine and coarse dust is removed.

4. Apply petroleum jelly

If necessary, you can apply petroleum jelly thin on the injured area. Petroleum jelly can keep the area of the wound moisturised, prevent scars from becoming too large, and reduce itching that can appear.

In deep enough wounds, you may need to use antibiotic creams or ointments to avoid infection due to bacteria and dirt.

However, the use of this drug should not be arbitrary, you must first consult with your doctor before choosing an antibiotic drug.

Some of the antibiotics commonly given to treat wounds include bacitracin, polysporin, and neosporin. Remember, you don't need to use this antibiotic on minor cuts or scrapes. If a rash appears or the skin feels sore, stop using it immediately.

5. Cover with a bandage

Actually, not all types of wounds need to be bandaged. If the wound is small and not deep, you can just clean the wound without having to cover it with a bandage.

However, if you must use bandages, make sure you choose the type of bandage that suits your condition.

Bandages are divided into five broad categories which consist of film dressing, simple island dressing, non-adherent dressing, moist dressing, and absorbent dressing.

Dressing film usually used to protect wounds that are in areas that experience frequent friction such as the heel. This type of bandage is translucent, so it won't dampen the wound and keep it dry.

Simple island dressing usually used to cover a wound that has been sutured, for example, a wound from a surgery. This bandage contains cellulose which functions as an absorber for the fluid that seeps out of the wound.

Non-adherent dressing is a bandage specially designed so that it does not stick to the scar fluid, so that if it is removed it will not cause injury and pain. This bandage aims to protect the new skin tissue from being injured and bleeding again.

Moist dressing is a bandage that functions to keep the wound moist. Usually used for wounds that contain dead tissue that has hardened and turned black.

The water content in the bandage will soften the dead tissue so that it can be removed and speed up the wound healing process.

While absorbent dressing is a bandage that absorbs fluid that comes out of the wound, suitable for wet wounds.

If you decide to use a bandage, don't forget to change the bandage at least once a day or when the bandage feels wet or dirty. Every time you change the bandage, you can repeat these treatment steps from the beginning.

What should also be done when treating wounds

Source: 9Coach

There are several factors that can slow down wound healing. Some of these factors come from your daily lifestyle such as your daily diet and your smoking habits.

The food consumed plays an important role in the healing process of your wounds. This process really requires nutrition, so if you don't maintain a healthy diet with unbalanced nutrition, the healing will take longer.

Therefore, start to pay more attention to every food you consume. Expand to eat foods with protein such as fish, eggs and also vegetables and fruits that contain vitamin C so that it can help skin collagen production.

You are also better off giving up smoking. The reason is, in addition to slowing down healing, smoking can also increase the risk of wounds experiencing complications.

If you are worried that a wound that is not properly treated will lead to other infectious diseases, immediately consult your doctor for the best solution.