Feb 18, 2008, 2:08 GMT
Berlin - Small wounds such as a cut finger or a grazed knee are common and as a rule they should be treated at home, but particular rules should be followed to ensure the wounds are handled properly.
'Actually, every wound should be evaluated and treated by a doctor. But, of course, no one does that,' said Stefan Osche of the German Red Cross in Berlin.
Despite the urgency to stop the pain and bleeding, a wound should only be treated by a person who has thoroughly washed their hands. The hands, however, shouldn't touch the wound. The first question for the person treating the wound is whether it should be cleansed.
'A wound that occurs while working in the kitchen is somewhat cleansed by bleeding,' said professor Peter Elsner, director of the university skin clinic in Jena.
If there is little bleeding and there is considerable dirt in the wound, it is wise to clean the wound under clear, running water. Using a disinfectant afterward will lower the danger of infection as far as possible, said Heidrun Holstein, patient adviser at a consumer centre in Karlsruhe. Sprays have the advantage of spreading the disinfectant evenly.
After every injury the body activates, its defence and self- healing functions within a short time, and in the case of a small wound, healing occurs quickly.
'If the wound is in a place that is not rubbed by clothing or exposed to dirt, it might not require a bandage,' said Holstein.
If a fresh wound must be, bandages to protect it from dirt and irritations or a plaster is sufficient. It's gauze pad must be larger than the size of the wound. Germany's leading product evaluation organization examined plasters available on the market in Germany.
The results showed all those available were suitable for small wounds, and a standard plaster generally is sufficient. Injuries near a joint should be covered with a stretchable cloth plaster that fits the contour of the skin and maintains its hold even when the skin moves. Special plasters that use a gentle adhesive are good for people with sensitive skin.
Children's plasters and water resistant plasters normally are made of plastic film and can be easily removed. They should be used only on wounds that would not come in contact with water.
'When the plaster becomes wet, conditions that bacteria favour quickly develop, and the wound has a more difficult time healing,' said Holstein.
It's also advantageous if the plaster has few wrinkles. Modern plasters are actually sprayed on, which helps to avoid wrinkling, but they have the disadvantage of being difficult to remove when it's time for a doctor to have a look a the wound, said Elsner.
A plaster is not always sufficient to treat a wound.
'Larger wounds or wounds that result in a lot of bleeding require a bandage,' said Osche. A sterile gauze compress should be applied over the bandage using adhesive tape. If a wound is bleeding heavily, additional pads and a pressure bandage or tourniquet should be used.
Whether plasters or bandages are needed, applying additional creams and salves to wounds are not of much use. Also, it's a good idea to have a first-aid kit, including bandages and plasters available in the car, but it's important to make sure the items remain fresh and usable.
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