Most of us think that Wounds occur as a result of accidents. But even clean surgical incisions are considered wounds. Also considered to be wounds are the places of the body through which tubes or catheters are inserted. The skin is the largest organ of the body and helps protect us from the germs (bacteria, fungi and viruses) that live on it. Therefore, anything that breaks the skin is a Wound because the skin is broken there is a risk that germs enter the body and cause an infection.
Doctors and nurses begin by evaluating a wound according to the risk of infection. "Clean" wounds (those that are not contaminated with bacteria) have the lowest risk of infection, making it easy to treat. The incision that a surgeon makes at the knee during a cruciate ligament repair is most likely to clean wound because prior to surgery the area was cleaned with an antibacterial solution and this is a place where the risk of an infection is low.
Sometimes a wound is clean but there is a risk of infection by the place of the body it is in. If the wound is in an area with more bacteria (such as the urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract or respiratory tract), liquids and other contaminants can enter the wound and cause infection.
Home Wound Care
Severe wounds do not heal overnight by wound care & treatment. The body may take weeks to generate new tissue. Therefore, when you leave the hospital or doctor's office, it is important that you take good care of the wound in your home to prevent infections and minimize scarring.
Because wounds can be very different from each other, your doctor will give you instructions for your care when you leave the hospital and go home. In most cases, doctors will ask patients to do the following:
· Keep the wound covered with clean gauze until it stops draining. The doctor or nurse will tell you how and how often you need to change the gauze.
· Wait 2 to 4 days after surgery for a shower. As each case is different, ask your doctor or nurse what you should do before returning to take a shower.
· Avoid baths in the tub or pools until your next doctor visit. Dirt in the water could enter the wound and contaminate it. In addition, there is a risk of the wound opening if it becomes too wet.
· Avoid touching or scratching scabs. Scabs can cause itching while the skin below is healed, but if you scratch or scratch it, you can tear off the new skin underneath. The wound will take longer to heal and the scar that it leaves may be worse.
Your wound may heal quickly, but the scars will take longer. If you have a thick scar, try massaging the area with a lotion or petroleum jelly. This helps the collagen to mix with the elastin of the surrounding skin and reduces the scar a little. Before wound care & treatment, ask your doctor or nurse to take care of your wound if it is convenient for you to do so.
Doctors and nurses begin by evaluating a wound according to the risk of infection. "Clean" wounds (those that are not contaminated with bacteria) have the lowest risk of infection, making it easy to treat. The incision that a surgeon makes at the knee during a cruciate ligament repair is most likely to clean wound because prior to surgery the area was cleaned with an antibacterial solution and this is a place where the risk of an infection is low.
Sometimes a wound is clean but there is a risk of infection by the place of the body it is in. If the wound is in an area with more bacteria (such as the urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract or respiratory tract), liquids and other contaminants can enter the wound and cause infection.
Home Wound Care
Severe wounds do not heal overnight by wound care & treatment. The body may take weeks to generate new tissue. Therefore, when you leave the hospital or doctor's office, it is important that you take good care of the wound in your home to prevent infections and minimize scarring.
Because wounds can be very different from each other, your doctor will give you instructions for your care when you leave the hospital and go home. In most cases, doctors will ask patients to do the following:
· Keep the wound covered with clean gauze until it stops draining. The doctor or nurse will tell you how and how often you need to change the gauze.
· Wait 2 to 4 days after surgery for a shower. As each case is different, ask your doctor or nurse what you should do before returning to take a shower.
· Avoid baths in the tub or pools until your next doctor visit. Dirt in the water could enter the wound and contaminate it. In addition, there is a risk of the wound opening if it becomes too wet.
· Avoid touching or scratching scabs. Scabs can cause itching while the skin below is healed, but if you scratch or scratch it, you can tear off the new skin underneath. The wound will take longer to heal and the scar that it leaves may be worse.
Your wound may heal quickly, but the scars will take longer. If you have a thick scar, try massaging the area with a lotion or petroleum jelly. This helps the collagen to mix with the elastin of the surrounding skin and reduces the scar a little. Before wound care & treatment, ask your doctor or nurse to take care of your wound if it is convenient for you to do so.
