Page 16 - 2022 - Q3 - Minerva in Focus

HEALTH & WELL BEING Basic principles of wound care

Every one of us has had a small injury at 1. Stop the bleeding
some point in our lives. Whether it was
just a scratch, a cut, or a deeper wound, The only way to do that is by applying pressure to allow the blood to clot. Try to find a
we all tried to deal with it ourselves, clean cloth or a non-adhesive gauze and press firmly on the wound, focusing on the sight
even though sometimes we were un- of bleeding. You might need to wait a few minutes for the bleeding to stop, so do not try
sure about what we were supposed to to uncover the wound too soon. The blood loss volume depends on the number of vessels
do. At this article we will present the damaged and their size. If the blood is bright red and spurts out with each heartbeat in
steps that one should take when treat- a rhythmic pattern, it probably means an artery has been damaged. Damaged arteries,
ing a wound: even small ones, are a bit harder to control. If a large artery is suspected to be damaged
and there is much blood, apply a dressing, use a bandage to wrap it tightly, apply more
pressure by hand, and seek medical advice.

2. Clean the wound

In wound care, the initial cleaning of the wound is crucial as it will help avoid complica-
tions later. Clean the wound with water or normal saline solution (Sodium Chloride 0,9%).
In most cases, this will be enough. If there are foreign objects in the wound, remove them
with tweezers. If they are not sterilized, rub them with alcohol first. Do not rub the wound,
especially if you are not sure if all objects have been removed, as you may cause more
damage. In the case of dirt that has not been removed, scrub lightly. BE CAREFUL, though,
as this might remove the previously formed clot and restart the bleeding. On very soiled
wounds, you might use hydrogen peroxide in small amounts as it will help with sanitation
and hemostasis (stopping the bleeding), but do not overuse it, as it can cause damage to
healthy tissue.

3. Cover the wound

In cases of superficial cuts that need to be covered, you can use adhesive strips (steri-
strips). Deeper wounds will require sutures. However, it is important that the suturing is
done within 6 hours. If that is not possible, follow the steps below:

- Apply an antiseptic/ antimicrobial agent: Using an Iodine-based solution (Beta-
dine) or antibiotic cream will help reduce the bacterial load and keep the wound
moist enough to help with the healing process.

- Cover the wound: Applying a dressing to the wound keeps it moist, and the dress-
ing absorbs any fluids that might get it too wet. Choose non-adhesive gauzes, so
you do not damage the wound each time you change them. Change the dressing
when it gets dirty; otherwise, once a day is enough. Keep the wound clean. If it is
deep, avoid getting it wet for the first couple of days. Repeat the steps above every
time you change the dressing. After the initial cleaning of the wound, changing
the dressings should take less than 5 minutes. In the case of a deep wound that
cannot be sutured, place sterile gauze inside the wound, and then more on top
and wrap with a bandage. Seek surgical advice as soon as possible.

See a doctor if: your wound is irritated, painful, or swollen after a few days; you have a fe-
An overview by ver or swollen lymph nodes; a dirty object caused the wound, and your tetanus shot is not
up to date; the bleeding is uncontrollable, the wound is soiled, or shows signs of necrosis.
Konstantinos Giannakopoulos
MD IN THE CASE OF BURNS, YOU SHOULD FOLLOW A DIFFERENT PROCEDURE.

16 MINERVA IN FOCUS – ISSUE 21 / Q3 2022