+व्रणः

Initial care

Cleaning

  • Irrigate with (running) water (+ gentle soap) - even for several minutes.
  • Antibiotic or antiseptic application not needed for small wounds with low infection risk.
    • Natural choices
      • Honey: Osmotic, acidic - Dehydrates bacteria.
      • Anti septics: turmeric, crushed garlic cloves.
    • Bacitracin is popular.
  • Stop mild bleeding - apply pressure with sterile gauze or cloth. Turmeric works.

Fibrin film

  • a microscopic protein (fibrin) film (aka scab) forms rapidly over a wound as part of the natural clotting process. has tiny pores that let air reach the wound but are too small to allow bacteria and some viruses to pass through. (BBC).
  • this film could be a barrier against microbial infection for at least 12 hours. gives the immune system time to get white blood cells to the wound to counteract any infection
  • Takes about 1/2 hour to form/ clot. “After that, it might not be so bad to add petroleum jelly, but before then, from our findings, it appears to damage this film.”

Wound closing

  • Leave unclean wounds, bites, and punctures open. Lest infection arise.
  • Antiseptic pads best (store in advance) .

Healing stages

  • White blood cells help to ward off infection and begin to repair the damaged tissue and any broken blood vessels.
  • Red blood cells create collagen to form a base for new tissue to grow in the wound.
  • New skin forms over this tissue, and as the edges pull inward, the wound gets smaller.
  • A scar forms, strengthening the area over the wound.

Later care

  • check wound every day
    • remove any bandages
    • check for infection signs - pain and soreness, swelling, redness, draining, or you develop a fever
    • clean with soap and water
  • Coconut oil or petroleum jelly to minimize scarring.