Heal Your Wounds

A kiss from Mom used to be all it took to fix a boo-boo. As an adult, you’ll need to help the healing yourself. Luckily, a little vigilance – and the right wound care products – can help you get back to normal as quickly as possible. Improve the healing process with these easy-to-remember tips for incisions, cuts, scrapes or minor burns.

After-surgery incisions

• Don’t wash the area for at least 24 hours after surgery. Be sure to follow your health care provider’s instructions carefully.
• Check the wound daily for signs of infection, such as redness or swelling, pain or itching, or yellow or green discharge. If these signs occur, or fever, contact your doctor.
• Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling your wound.
• If your wound is covered with adhesive surgical strips, do not remove them. Leave them in place until they loosen or fall off on their own.
• For new incisions, clean, protect and cover your wound with waterproof, breathable dressings.

Cuts, scrapes and abrasions

• Clean and dry the affected area.
• If your wound has moderate to heavy drainage, cover with a highly absorbent gauze pad to keep fluids from soaking through.
• For light to moderate draining wounds, use a waterproof and breathable covering, such as Nexcare™ Absolute Waterproof Transparent Dressing with Pad, that holds securely, yet conforms to skin.
• If you have a minor deep cut, clean the wound and close securely with sterilized skin closures, such as Nexcare™ Steri-Strip™ Skin Closures. They’ll reduce the risk of infection and provide better cosmetic results. See a doctor for more severe cuts that could require sutures.
• Change the dressing if it begins to leak, is no longer sticking to skin, or there are holes or tears in dressing.
• Check your wound daily for signs of infection. If infection occurs, contact your doctor.
• Use a transparent dressing, such as Nexcare™ Tegaderm™ Waterproof Transparent Dressing, to keep your scrape or abrasion moist to improve healing. Studies have shown that when a wound is kept moist and not allowed to scab over, it is less painful and heals faster.

Blisters and minor burns

• Do not break the blister. If the blister is open or broken, clean and remove all dirt from the area, and dry thoroughly.
• For minor burns, immediately cool the burn under cold water until the pain subsides (approximately 20 minutes). Gently blot dry with a sterile gauze or clean cloth.
• Apply an antiseptic spray or ointment, if desired.
• Protect the blistered or burned area with a transparent dressing and sterile gauze pad.
• Check the blister or burn daily. Change dressings as needed.
• IMPORTANT: For more serious burns where the skin becomes white or charred, do not apply water, antiseptic sprays, ointments or home remedies. Call your doctor immediately.

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