How to Clean and Treat a Skin Wound
Types of skin wounds
"Before wound cleansing can begin, an assessment is necessary to help determine the severity of the wound. Skin wounds fall into two categories: acute or chronic," says Ms Karen Lim Yu Shi, Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of SingHealth group.
- Acute wound
This can occur due to accidents caused by blunt force, heat, chemicals or friction. Acute wounds generally heal well and need minimal care.
- Chronic wound
This type of wound fails to heal nor does it respond to treatment over the normal expected healing time (four weeks), and is usually inflamed. This may be attributed to internal and external factors such as medications, health background, or poor nutrition. Such wounds need special care from healthcare professionals.
Good Hygiene is Important
Regardless of the type of wound, it is important to keep good hygiene at all times:
- Having clean hands before touching the wound is essential to help avoid infection, and prevent contamination of existing wounds.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, then dry well.
- Use disposable gloves if they are available.
For more tips on how to properly clean a wound, visit How to Clean and Treat a Skin Wound - HealthXchange.