HEAL YOUR WOUNDS

A kiss from Mum 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

• 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. Do no remove dressings to check unless your doctor gives approval.
• Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before and after 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.
• For light to moderate draining wounds, use a waterproof and breathable covering such as Nexcare Tegaderm Plus Pad or any of the Nexcare Wound Care Strips such as Waterproof.
• If you have a minor deep cut, clean the wound and close securely with sterilised skin closures such as Nexcare Steristrips. 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 such as redness or swelling, pain or itching, or yellow or green discharge.
• Use a transparent dressing, such as Nexcare Tegaderm or Waterproof, 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 clean cloth.
• Apply an antiseptic spray, ointment or burn cream, if desired.
• Protect the blistered or burned area with a transparent dressing.
• 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.