5 misconceptions about dressing wounds

Many people may be familiar with the process of dressing a wound, starting with stopping the bleeding. Clean the wound area and surrounding area. and cover it with a bandage to protect it from dirt. However, there are still many misconceptions about dressing wounds. And here are 5 examples of those false beliefs.

Myth 1: The wound should be kept dry at all times.

This belief is quite common. Although it may seem reasonable to keep your wound dry, Because the wound tends to dry out when a scab forms. But did you know that? Keeping the wound moisturized will help it heal faster.

Wounds that are adequately moist tend to be less likely to become inflamed and heal faster than dry wounds.

One way to help keep a wound moist is to apply petroleum jel²  to help retain moisture and also act as a barrier to prevent wound infection. This may help the wound heal faster and be less likely to leave scars. go down

You can also apply hydrogel, which contains synthetic materials that help keep the wound moist without harming the wound tissue. ⁹

However, if the wound does not seem to heal properly or there are signs of infection, you should see a doctor immediately.

Myth 2: You should use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol to dress wounds.

Another common myth about dressings is using hydrogen peroxide or alcohol to clean wounds.

In fact Using these chemicals to kill germs more than necessary can slow wound healing. Although alcohol³  and hydrogen peroxide ⁴ are able to kill bacteria and various germs, at the same time they can affect the healing process of the wound. and can cause wounds to heal more slowly

A better option is to clean the wound using clean water and iodine. ⁵  Both of these are effective at cleaning away dirt and killing germs.

Myth 3: Applying toothpaste to a burn will make it heal faster.

Although many people may think that applying toothpaste to burns and scalds is normal and should be done. Because toothpaste has a cooling effect on the skin. But this is just a false belief.

Applying toothpaste to the skin can do more harm than good. It may also create an environment for bacteria to thrive. ⁶ So, instead of using toothpaste to treat minor burns, You should switch to hydrogel that has properties that help in wound recovery. and also has a cooling effect Helps soothe the skin as well ^{. 9}

However, for severe burns It is best to seek treatment from a doctor immediately.

Myth 4: Super glue can be used to heal wounds.

The myth of using super glue to heal wounds or to make them stick together is quite common. You may have seen videos or posts on social media that talk about using this method to treat wounds.

However, it is not recommended that you buy regular super glue to treat wounds because it can cause chemical burns. ⁷  If you apply this glue to your skin, it may make the wound worse.

This is because regular superglue doesn’t have the same formula as cyanoacrylate. (Cyanoacrylate ) used in medicine If you need medical grade super glue This should be decided by your doctor.

Myth 5: Using a bandage can cause the wound to become infected.

Finally, one of the most common misconceptions about dressings is that You shouldn’t use a bandage because it can allow bacteria to grow and become infected.

Many people believe that Instead of bandaging the wound It’s better to let the wound “breathe”.

However, this method is not suitable for wound healing. ⁸  Using a clean bandage to cover the wound will protect the wound from bacteria and dirt and also help keep the wound moist. This will help the wound heal faster as well.

What is the best way to treat a wound?

Three simple steps that will help wounds heal faster and more effectively are as follows:

• The first step is to clean the wound with water. and disinfect the surrounding area using iodine or a gentle disinfectant.
• Afterward, petroleum jelly, hydrogel, or antibiotics may be applied to help keep the wound moist and protect it from germs. Keeping the wound moist will help the wound heal better.
• Finally, cover the wound with a clean bandage to protect it from bacteria and dirt. The bandage should be changed every day, the wound washed, and medicine applied until the wound heals.

After the wound has healed and the scab has fallen off, the scar can be treated with a silicone gel containing Cyclopentasiloxan and Vitamin C Ester to help soften, reduce, and smooth the scar. ^10-12

Note: This article is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have concerns about cuts and scars Please consult a medical professiona