Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Caring for a fresh wound
• Part 2 of 3: Treating a Weeping Wound
• Part 3 of 3: Measures to help speed up wound healing

A clear or slightly yellowish fluid, sometimes mixed with a small amount of blood, may be released from an open or healing wound. If a clear fluid comes out of the wound, then the wound healing process is proceeding normally and you shouldn't worry too much! However, in the event of an infection or a wound that does not heal for a long time, you should see your doctor and then follow his instructions. The dressing should be changed regularly when caring for a wound. Plus, some lifestyle changes can help you heal the damaged area faster.

Attention:the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Consult your healthcare professional before using any medications or treatments.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Caring for a fresh wound

1. 1 For serious wounds, go to an emergency room immediately. If you have received a large wound from which blood continues to flow, or have pierced the skin deeper than one and a half centimeters, or received a severe burn (with damage to a large area of ​​skin and the formation of blisters), you need to go to the emergency room. Emergency medical attention may also be needed for a less severe wound with little bleeding.
   • In the event of a stabbing wound, seek immediate medical attention if it is a bite (animal or human), especially a deep one, if the wound is from a metal object or does not stop bleeding after applying pressure. You should also see your doctor if the wound is dirty or located on a joint, head, neck, torso, or scrotum.
   • Emergency medical attention is also advisable for less severe burns.
2. 2 Wash the area with soap and water. Place the wound under running water and gently lather it with antibacterial soap, if you have one. If you don't have such a soap, any mild hand or body soap will do. Rinse the wound and try to remove as much dirt and debris as possible.
   • In case of burns, keep the damaged area under cool running water for 5-10 minutes.
3. 3 Press a clean bandage or dressing over the wound to stop bleeding. If the wound continues to bleed after you have washed it, apply light pressure to it. Press a bandage or bandage to the wound and hold until the bleeding stops. Gently wipe off the blood around the affected area.
   • If you do not have a sterile bandage, use a clean paper towel.
   • If the wound is bleeding profusely, call 103 and call an ambulance.
4. 4 Get immediate medical attention if the cut continues to bleed. Sometimes cuts need to be stitched to stop the bleeding. If blood does not stop, continue to apply pressure and go to the emergency room. There you will be provided with qualified assistance and advice on what to do next.
5. 5 Visit a doctor or emergency room if the wound is infected. Watch for signs of infection, even if you've seen your doctor before. Redness, swelling, warmth around the wound, and purulent discharge indicate infection. See your doctor as soon as possible if you experience these symptoms.
   • Get medical attention right away if you have a fever and chills shortly after getting a wound.Nausea and vomiting are also warning signs. These symptoms indicate that your body is trying to fight off an infection that has penetrated the wound.
6. 6 See a doctor for cloudy, foul-smelling discharge from the wound. Some wounds secrete fluid, such as blisters at the site of a burn, which then burst. However, normal discharge is usually odorless and clear rather than cloudy.
7. 7 See your doctor if the wound does not heal. If the amount of discharge from the cut has increased or the skin damage looks worse after a week, you should see a doctor to help with wound healing. There may be some other problem that is preventing the wound from healing.
   • The cut may not heal in a week, but you should notice some improvement.
8. 8 Talk to your doctor if you need a tetanus shot. Bacteria, including those that cause tetanus, can enter the body through the wound. If you have not received a tetanus shot in the past 5 years, your doctor may prescribe one to prevent infection.
   • If you don't remember when you last got a tetanus shot, your doctor will probably advise you to get vaccinated just in case.
9. 9 Ask your doctor about medications and dressings. For example, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for you to speed up wound healing. He may also recommend dressing the wound in a certain way, so be careful when visiting your doctor and remember his instructions.
   • For some types of wounds, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics.

   A warning: Do not apply topical ointment, such as petroleum jelly, or an antibacterial cream to a wet wound, unless your doctor advises you to do so. The ointment can block the discharge from the wound and thus worsen the infection. Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics to fight the infection.

   
   

Part 2 of 3: Treating a Weeping Wound

1. 1 Wash your hands before and after wound dressing. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap. Remember to lather the areas between your toes and under your nails and then rinse thoroughly.
   • Washing your hands will help keep bacteria free of the wound.
2. 2 Change your dressing at least once a day. Bacteria can accumulate in a bandage over a wet wound, so it needs to be changed to speed up healing. It is enough to do this once a day, unless the dressing is saturated with secretions. However, if you feel that fluid is leaking from the wound, or there is so much discharge that it completely soaks the dressing several times a day, it should be changed every time it gets wet through.
   • If the discharge does not decrease and the wound does not heal, see your doctor if you have not already done so. He will be able to determine what the problem is and prescribe the optimal treatment.
3. 3 Remove the old bandage carefully. Grasp the edge of the bandage or bandage and try to pull it along the skin, not away from it. If any part is stuck to your skin, soak it with saline using a bandage or clean paper towel. While doing this, pull the bandage underneath and moisten it with saline as needed.
   • Throw away the old bandage in the trash can.
4. 4 Flush the wound with saline. Soak a piece of clean bandage with saline and pat the center of the wound with it first. Continue moving in concentric circles away from the wound. Wipe off any fluid that can be removed. If the bandage becomes saturated with secretions, take a fresh piece and soak it with saline. After you clean the wound and the skin around it, take a clean bandage, dampen it with saline and walk again.
   • If you do not have saline solution, rinse the wound with tap water. This should not increase the risk of infection.
   • Do not move from the outer edges to the center of the wound, as this can introduce bacteria into the wound.
5. 5 Choose a dressing suitable for the wound. For example, a calcium alginate fiber dressing can be used. This modern material absorbs liquid well and does not have a hard effect on the wound. You can also use a nonwoven dressing made using the Hydrofiber technology. Both of these materials are good at absorbing secretions. Discuss this issue with your doctor.
   • In some cases, the doctor may apply protection to the skin around the wound. This can be duct tape or liquid applied to the skin. This layer will protect the skin from liquid discharge from the wound.
6. 6 Apply a fresh bandage when the wound and skin around it is dry. Blot the affected area with clean paper towels. Cut the bandage to the required size. If your doctor has recommended using an ointment or cream, apply the product to a bandage and apply it to the wound. Gently secure the bandage with a tape to prevent it from getting into the wound.
   • For most wounds, an external antibiotic agent (for example, Levomekol) is well suited, but in any case, you should consult a doctor.
7. 7 Do not apply antiseptic creams or sprays to the wound. Over time, they can damage the skin around the wound, which slows down the healing process. Instead, rinse the wound with soap and water or, as recommended by your doctor, saline solution.

Part 3 of 3: Measures to help speed up wound healing

1. 1 Make sure your diet is balanced and contains proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If the wound is slow to heal, you may be lacking in nutrients. Include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet, as well as several servings of lean protein foods such as chicken, fish, beans, and tofu.
   • Aim to eat 3-4 servings of protein a day. One serving of meat is roughly the size of a deck of playing cards.
   • Include whole grain foods such as whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, quinoa, buckwheat, bulgur in your diet.
   • Vitamin C is especially beneficial, so eat fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, kiwi, citrus fruits, broccoli, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
2. 2 Maintain water balance to promote wound healing. Although you do not need to drink a certain amount of water every day, your body should get enough fluids as the wound heals. Drink when you feel thirsty and try to drink a few extra glasses of water. With a normal water balance, urine should be light and clear. The darker the urine, the more fluid you need.
   • Your body loses extra fluid along with the discharge from the wound.
3. 3 Quit smoking during wound healing. It is better to give up this bad habit altogether. However, if you are unable to do this, try to quit smoking at least while the wound is healing. Smoking slows down the natural healing process and takes much longer.
   • Discuss ways to quit smoking with your doctor. For example, he may suggest using chewing gum, patches, or nicotine pills.
   • Ask friends and family to help you quit smoking.
   • Join a quit smoking support group if you want to quit this smoking habit permanently.
   • Do something else at a time when you are used to smoking. For example, if you smoke after dinner, take a walk during that time.
4. 4 Monitor your blood sugar if you have diabetes. Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of infection and can interfere with wound healing. Blood sugar levels need to be monitored to help the wound heal faster. Follow your doctor's instructions and monitor your blood sugar as the wound heals.
   • Take all prescribed medications as directed by your doctor. Also, follow your healthcare provider's dietary recommendations.