Taking Care of a Minor Wound

To avoid the risk of infection and scaring and to assist with healing, wounds need to be cleaned as quickly as possible after an injury occurs.

To treat a minor wound:

• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Wear medical gloves, if they are available.
• Rinse the wound thoroughly with lukewarm running tap water to help remove dirt, debris and bacteria. Kitchen sprayers are also good for this.
• Gently wash the wound with mild soap and a washcloth.
• Repeat the washing until the wound is clean.
• Bandage the wound, lightly applying an antibiotic ointment first to keep the bandage from sticking to the wound.
• Watch the skin around the wound for sensitivity to the bandage.
• Apply a clean bandage if the current bandage becomes soiled or wet.
• Change the bandage at least twice a day.

Remember, wounds that are deep, large, painful, bleed excessively and/or have large fragments of debris in them should be cleaned and treated by a healthcare professional.

If you have questions about your wound or it doesn’t seem to be healing, contact the St. Joseph Outpatient Burn and Wound Clinic at 260-425-3567.