Flesh wounds are defined as shallow wounds that do not affect underlying structures such as muscle tissue or fat. Treating flesh wounds is relatively simple as long as you understand that the main goal is to prevent infection and allow the body to heal itself. The main focus is to keep the wound clean and prevent additional damage to the wound.
Things You'll Need
- Warm water
- Antibiotic ointment
- Gauze pads
- Roll gauze
Instructions
Determine the extent of the wound. This step is extremely important, as deeper wounds that involve tissue under the skin are highly likely to develop infection and should be evaluated by a doctor. Abrasions and lacerations that only involve the skin can be treated at home. Puncture wounds almost always become infected and should be evaluated by a doctor regardless of the depth of the puncture.
Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before treating the wound. It is important to keep the area as sterile as possible to prevent infection.
Flush the wound. Some people choose to do this with substances such as peroxide or chlorhexidine because of their antibacterial properties, but warm water works just as well and does not cause as much discomfort. Simply pour warm water over the wound for up to 10 minutes or so to remove any debris that may have been introduced as well as to flush away any bacteria that may have already begun to colonize.
Apply an antibiotic ointment. Any brand of topical antibiotic ointment can be used. When applying the ointment, it is best to squirt some onto a sterile gauze pad and apply from there rather than using your fingers or contaminating the tube by applying the ointment directly. Use enough ointment to ensure full coverage of the wound without creating waste.
Cover the wound. Whenever possible, it is best to cover the wound with sterile gauze to prevent infection. Not all wounds can be covered, but most can. Attempt to cover the wound itself with a gauze pad, and use gauze that comes in roll form to wrap around the affected body part to hold the gauze pad in place.
Do not scratch the wound. Healing flesh wounds can be itchy; however, scratching the wound can cause additional damage to the skin and even introduce bacteria and other germs. In most cases, covering the wound with gauze is enough, but in others it is not. If the wounded individual insists upon trying to remove the bandage and scratch the wound, use an anti-itch cream to stop the itching.
Change the bandage. Repeat this procedure at least once per day until the wound has healed. Do not allow the wound to go untreated for longer than 24 hours, or infection is likely.