Wound Care
Wound care, and in particular leg-ulcer management, is often seen as representative of district nursing practice. Of course the role demands a lot more than that, but even considering leg ulcer care alone, the complexity and difficulties in effectively addressing what so often is a debilitating and very painful condition is underestimated.
Our Nursing Team are able to assist in the management of leg ulcer dressings , open wound dressings etc
Cuts, grazes and puncture wounds
How to care for cuts, grazes or puncture wounds.
If you have a wound that won’t stop bleeding, see your doctor or go to the emergency department.
If you have very serious bleeding including spurting blood, or you feel faint or light headed then call 111 straight away.
Cuts and grazes
- A clean cut or tear in the skin is called a laceration. Most lacerations are superficial and heal easily with self-care. Deeper lacerations may need stitches by a nurse or doctor.
- A graze (or abrasion) is a scraping or rubbing away of the skin surface. Grazes are superficial and usually heal within 2 weeks with self-care.
Self-care
If you or a family member has a cut or graze, follow these steps to help it heal well.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before and after cleaning any wound.
- If necessary use direct pressure to stop bleeding.
- Clean the wound with tap water. Use sterile saline solution if you have some in your first aid kit.
- Clean, loose flaps of skin may be left in place to form a natural dressing.
- Apply antiseptic ointment (eg, savlon or betadine) only if the wound is dirty – do not use for longer than 2 weeks.
- Cover with a non-stick dressing.
- Keep dry for 24 hours if possible during initial healing.
- Replace the dressing if it becomes dirty or wet.
- Check whether a tetanus injection is needed. A booster is recommended if it is more than 10 years since your last tetanus injection, or 5 years if the wound is dirty, contaminated or deep.
When to seek help
See your doctor or nurse if:
- you can’t fully clean the wound
- the bleeding won’t stop
- the wound is deep and the skin is gaping.
If you have managed to clean and dress the wound, keep an eye on it and see your doctor if:
- you have any new loss of feeling, numbness or inability to move the limb
- there is increased redness, swelling, tenderness and/or it becomes warm to touch
- red streaks develop
- there is a coloured or smelly discharge
- the wound has not healed after 2 weeks.
Call us on 07 2811406 if you are unsure what you should do.
Puncture wounds
A puncture wound is when something penetrates layers of skin, such as a knife, nail or tooth. Bacteria can be carried to the tissue under the skin.
Puncture wounds usually close very quickly and need to be cleaned thoroughly to prevent infection.
Self-care
If you or a family member has a puncture wound, follow these steps to help it heal well.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before and after cleaning the wound.
- Flush the wound with running tap water to remove all dirt.
- Check whether a tetanus injection is needed. A booster injection is recommended if it is more than 10 years since your last tetanus injection or 5 years if the wound is dirty, contaminated or deep.
When to seek help
See your doctor or nurse if:
- there is something stuck in the puncture wound
- you have any numbness or tingling below the puncture.
If you have managed to clean and dress the wound, keep an eye on it and see your doctor if:
- you have any new loss of feeling, numbness or inability to move limb
- there is increased redness, swelling, tenderness or it becomes warm to touch
- red streaks develop
- there is a coloured or smelly discharge
- the wound has not healed after 2 weeks.
Call us on 07 2811406 or Healthline 0800 611 116 if you are unsure what you should do.