Ultimate Guide to Healing Wounds Perfectly Without Scars

On days with many outdoor activities, getting small and large wounds on the skin is easy. Especially for families with children, you may frequently encounter injuries such as bruises and burns. Be careful because using inappropriate bandages and disinfectants for wounds can hinder recovery and leave scars. What should you do to effectively manage wounds that are prone to oozing?

For wounds that are prone to oozing

You must pay special attention to the treatment when you have a wound. If you leave the damaged skin untreated, it can lead to severe defects through secondary contamination. In hot and humid temperatures, bacteria multiply faster, and sweat weakens the stratum corneum, making the skin vulnerable to bacterial infections. Therefore, if you have a wound, you should remove contaminants, disinfect it, and quickly apply dressing.

Preventing infection

If you have a wound, you need to deal with infection first. It is best to gently rinse the wound with saline solution or clean running water to remove contaminants and bacteria. You can use disinfectants for contaminated wounds, but high-concentration chemicals can damage normal cells that aid wound healing, so avoid excessive use. If bleeding persists, apply pressure to the wound with gauze or similar material to stop the bleeding.

Proper dressing

Promoting rapid regeneration of damaged skin tissue to minimize scars is essential. Using dry gauze for dressing can impair cell function, and when the wound secretion and gauze stick together, the regenerated skin tissue is often removed during dressing changes. Therefore, after lightly disinfecting, it is effective for wound management to apply an ointment containing antibiotics or antiseptics and cover it with a moist dressing.

Changing bandages

Wounds heal better in a moist environment, and wet bandages help maintain wound exudate, allowing skin cells to regenerate effectively. There are also moist bandages that contain ointment for wound treatment. You can use a moist bandage after washing the wound and removing moisture. Changing the bandage every 3 to 5 days is recommended rather than daily.

Considerations when purchasing bandages

Check the ‘elasticity’ when purchasing bandages. Especially in summer, when you enjoy outdoor activities, it is recommended to use high elasticity bandages due to increased activity. The higher the elasticity, the better the bandage can wrap around the wound to protect the wound effectively. Additionally, consider waterproof and breathable materials. It should block water and sweat while allowing air and vapor to pass through to prevent moisture buildup in the wound. Also, check if the adhesive used directly on the wounded skin is non-irritating and if the product can be removed without irritation.

Incorrect product selection hinders wound recovery

When using disinfectants, the choice of disinfectant can benefit or harm the wound. Ethanol and hydrogen peroxide, which we often use, can be harmful wound disinfectants because they can damage normal cells for wound healing. If disinfection is necessary, choosing a disinfectant suitable for wound treatment is recommended. Povidone, saline solution, and cetrimide are disinfectants that do not damage normal cells and are known as “red medicine.”

If the wound is not deep

If the wound is not deep and there is no significant risk of infection, applying disinfectant once is sufficient. Repeated use of disinfectant due to infection concerns can damage the cells generated as the wound heals. After applying disinfectant once, following up with an ointment is helpful.

Can we wipe away the oozing?

When a wound occurs, the skin mobilizes its defense forces to kill harmful bacteria and regenerate the skin. This is called oozing, which contains white blood cells that kill bacteria and growth factors that help skin cell regeneration. If you think of oozing as dirt and wipe it away, the risk of secondary infection increases, and ultimately, the wound may not heal well.

Is it better to remove blisters?

When a wound heals, blisters naturally form, and blisters are a grateful presence that protects the wound from infection. It is a general rule not to remove them intentionally, as removing them can lead to secondary infection and increase the likelihood of scarring. However, if pus comes out around the blister, it is better to remove it. In this case, using a moist bandage with hydrogel can dissolve the blister. Another method is to place a gauze soaked in physiological saline or clean water on the blister and remove it when it becomes soft.

Don’t forget to pack disinfectant ointment and other emergency medications

Bring disinfectants and emergency medications such as ointments for wound treatment when going out. This will be very helpful in case of minor wounds from falls, insect bites, or fractures. Especially in forests or parks where insects are abundant, preparing ice packs in advance to constrict the skin and subcutaneous blood vessels can help with quick treatment by preventing the spread of toxins secreted by insects.

By. Jeon Sin Young (press@daily.co.kr)