Wound Management

Wound Care Supplies That Are a Must Have in Your Home

 

Every home should have a first-aid kit available. This is particularly important when wound care is necessary. Any wound ranging from a minor scrape or burn to a chronic wound or even a post-surgery wound requires that you have wound care supplies available when necessary. In order for any wound to heal properly and expeditiously is vital to have the correct supplies on hand in order to prevent bacteria from infecting the wound. I can give you some wound care necessities you should have at home and be sure to visit www.healthproductsforyou.com to keep your first-aid kit well stocked with wound care supplies.

First-Aid Kit Must Haves

Yes, accidents happen all over and keeping a well-stocked first aid in your home is as important as smoke detectors or fire extinguishers. As the Boy Scouts say, “be prepared.” Never has this been more important than when dealing with wounds. Being prepared for medical emergencies ranging from minor cuts, scrapes, or burns to post-surgical wounds for chronic wounds can help you stay away from dangerous infections that can cause major complications down the road. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!! When stocking your first aid kit with wound care supplies be sure to have these items on hand:

1. Gauze Pads/Rolls

Using sterile gauze or pads that are made from low-linting cotton polyester are great for wound cleansing. They can be used with antiseptics to help prevent infection as well as help cover or cushion the wound during the healing process. Gauze rolls can also help keep other primary wound care dressings from moving.

2. Antiseptics

The enemy of any wound is germs and bacteria. Antiseptics can keep germs and bacteria from contaminating any open wound bed and cause infections that can delay or complicate healing.

3. Wound Cleansers

When cleaning the wound, it’s important to clean out any foreign debris or tissue that can hinder healing or introduce bacteria into the wound bed with wound cleansers. This can include hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or even saline solutions.

4. Antibacterial Ointments

By applying a thin layer of antibacterial ointment to a wound can keep the wound bed moist and help prevent infection.

5. Burn Cream

Treating burns properly can help reduce pain and help avoid infection. A first-degree burn can cause redness, a second-degree burn can cause blistering, while a third- degree burn typically requires emergency care since it penetrates deeper layers of skin. Cool the area with water and apply a sterile gauze with burn cream to reduce skin damage.

6. Adhesive Bandages

Simple cuts or scrapes may seem trivial and minor but they can lead to infection. After cleaning a minor, superficial wound be sure to apply an adhesive bandage (a.k.a. Band-Aid) that covers the wound entirely. You can use this in conjunction with antibacterial ointments or antiseptics.

7. Gloves

Since germs and bacteria are the enemy, anyone treating a wound should wear disposable gloves. This is in order to prevent contaminating any wound bed with germs or bacteria, as well as for your own protection. Often these are made from latex, but for those with latex allergies there are other options.

8. Paper Tape and Non-Stick Pads

Once you have cleaned and dressed any wound, paper tape can hold everything in place without irritating skin. Nonstick pads can protect and cushion the wound while not adhering to the wound itself.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Wound care at home requires diligence and if your wounds start releasing puss or become red or irritated you should contact your doctor or wound care specialist as soon as possible since this could be a sign of infection. Also, a wound that is warm to the touch or won’t stop bleeding also needs immediate attention.

Also Read our article on 13 Great Wound Care Products

References:

1. Home Wound Care: Essential Supplies and Best Practices
2. 6 ways to make a wound heal faster
3. The Best Wound Care Kits: A Comprehensive Review
4. How To Clean a Wound at Home — and When To Seek Medical Care

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