Minor Wound Care at Home

Lee Health Wound Care Surgeon Dr. William Kokal said there are many misconceptions when it comes to basic wound care. “A couple things that are old wives tales with basic wound care that we never do here, but patients always think it’s appropriate.”

The first myth is leave the wound open to air. “Everyone thinks leaving it open helps healing, it does not, and it delays healing,” said Dr. Kokal. The second myth is use peroxide on the wound. “We have people that think ‘Oh I’m going to clean it with peroxide, it will clean it.’ Peroxide is very caustic it will delay your healing. When you have a wound do not clean it with peroxide.”

Instead, you should start by cleaning the wound. “You can clean it with saline, if you have a cleansing solution like a Vashe you can clean it with that, you can put on an antiseptic ointment and cover it,” said Dr. Kokal. “In the morning take the dressing off, take a shower let the water hit it, then put dressing on. If it’s convenient twice a day is better.”

Its important to remember that burns can progress. If you have what appears to be a minor burn, “I’d put some ice on it initially for a burn. Then maybe aloe vera and watch it. Does it start to blister, does it change color, does it look like it’s dying? Then see a doctor,” said Dr. Kokal. Wound care is individualized, but in general if things aren’t looking right see a doctor as soon as possible. Lee Convenient Care is a great option for treating minor wounds and burns.

Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care.

[mikemcconeghy]

Glad I watched this. I've been using peroxide and airing out the wound. Now I know better.

[skylineXpert]

got a knock to my muffin/head by an open window last week while i hurried to the breakfast buffet at my hotel on skiathos greece. Basicly the sharp corner of a open window opening a regular non gaping wound.
Rushed to the buffet & grapped the napkins & the hotel staff heeved me into the kitchen to get It washed...

Some said I needed stitches & my pre-med younger brother said: get It checked.

I called my travel insurance & I only knew one private clinic (passed It everyday, didnt know of the others on the island. Not even the public hospital) & after getting the travel insurance approval then I drove there after hitting the bar (32*c might not have been a good idea, but I wasnt having nausea or headaches. Yet I even had a beer & plenty of water) at the end of the runway.

Also got a doctors note just in case they asked at the airport & when I show the tour operater the scar she said: have you got a doctors note?
This Is why I never skimp on travel Insurance & stay away from open windows for a time.

Also the wound after getting a pulvo 47 spray Is healing way faster than expected...

[frankmontez]

mom has a small wound care and it's healed soo too late to do anything about the scar ?