When you get a deep cut, following a proper wound care protocol is essential to prevent infection and promote healing. Here’s a simple guide with steps and a list of items to have on hand.
First, here are the items I recommend purchasing:
- Iodine Solution: For disinfecting the wound. Lugol’s Solution of Iodine
- Clean Cloth or Sterile Gauze: To dry the wound. Sterile Non-Adherent Pads
- Triple Antibiotic Ointment: To prevent infection. Triple Antibiotic Ointment
- Medical-Grade Super Glue / Wound Closure Device: For sealing the wound edges Emergency Laceration Closures – Senvok Emergency Wound Closure Device – Zip Sutures Butterfly Bandaids – Dermabond (skin adhesive)
- Sterile Bandages: To protect the wound and keep it clean. Best bet: use the non-adherent pads + Leukotape P.
1.) Clean the Wound
What to Do: Wash the wound with soapy water to remove any debris.
Why: Cleaning the wound helps remove dirt and bacteria, reducing the risk of infection.
2.) Disinfect
What to Do: Apply an iodine solution to disinfect the wound.
Why: Iodine is an effective antiseptic that kills bacteria and helps prevent infection.
3.) Dry
What to Do: Gently pat the area dry using a clean cloth or sterile gauze.
Why: Drying the wound prepares it for further treatment and helps prevent additional contamination.
4.) Apply Antibiotic
What to Do: Use a triple antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
Why: The antibiotic ointment helps kill any remaining bacteria and keeps the wound moist, which can promote healing.
5.) Seal
What to Do: Use wound closure devices to close the wound edges. First, ensure the wound edges are aligned. Apply Steri-Strips, butterfly bandages, or wound closure strips across the wound to hold the edges together.
Why: Wound closure devices offer a strong, flexible, and secure closure, reducing the risk of infection and promoting faster healing.
Options:
- Medical-Grade Super Glue / Wound Closure Device: For sealing the wound edges.
- Emergency Laceration Closures: Senvok Emergency Wound Closure Device, Zip Sutures.
- Butterfly Bandages: For additional support.
- Dermabond (skin adhesive): A reliable skin adhesive.
6.) Protect
What to Do: Cover the wound with a sterile bandage to keep it clean.
Why: A sterile bandage protects the wound from dirt and bacteria, helping to maintain a clean healing environment.
Options: Non Adherent Pads and Leukotape P