Poor Wound Care Practices to Avoid

For effective prevention against numerous infections, proper wound care is a must. Differentiating between good and lousy wound care practices raises awareness of which habits should be kept and which should be discarded.

On top of the list is neglecting the wound. Ignoring even the most minor injuries has associated risks, which include delayed healing and, worse, infection. Medical attention from home health care services is sufficient to assess and routinely clean the wound immediately.

Another practice to avoid is touching the wound with dirty hands. Unlike physical dirt, which is noticeable to the naked eye, germs cannot be seen without a microscope. Since our hands are likely to harbor bacteria and viruses from frequently touching things, Quincy Healthcare, Inc. recommends washing hands thoroughly when touching the wound and changing dressings.

Make sure to avoid improperly cleaning the wound. Kids who are always running around are highly susceptible to sustaining injuries. That is why a pediatric nurse in Texas suggests parents assist their kids in cleaning the wound. Using mild soap and water is more than enough to remove the debris and bacteria in the wound.

A wound care practice that is no longer used in pediatric care in Richmond, Texas, is applying hydrogen peroxide and alcohol directly to the wound. Although these keep the wound clean, it is counterproductive to use them since these damage healthy tissue and consequently slow down the healing process. However, these can be safely used for cleaning the area around the wound.

When unsure how to properly care for your child’s wound, it doesn’t hurt to ask for help from pediatric home health care in Texas. Feel free to raise your concerns by giving us a call.