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Suggest Ways To Keep A Wound Moist While Healing

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Posted on Wed, 22 Jun 2016
Question: how do a person keep a wound moist while allowing it to be left uncovered to heal. Is it even possible to do?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Tips on how to treat a wound in a practical best way.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Hello,

Thank you for using HCM to post your health query.

Yes, it is possible to keep a wound moist.
I don't know what type of wound is, because different ones have different way of treatment, but I will give you some tips on how to help that wound heal faster.

-- First of all- do not use iodine, alcohol or Hydrogen peroxide on the wound. It will not only dry it, but also kill, together with the germs, the cells that are starting to heal. The skin has bacterias an it will continue to have even if you keep it always with disinfectant on top of it.
-- One of the most recommended ways of treating a wound is to apply on top of it wet gauzes with saline water, and change them as frequent as possible but 3 times/day is random to change them. Yes, it will be covered, but the saline gauses will keep it wet, they wont allow clots to be formed on them, which slow/stop the healing process. The bed of the wound will be cleaned, which is from there it starts to heal.
-- If you want to keep it uncovered, then applying a moisturizing cream, without color or smell (without additives) on top of it, will keep it moist. An antibiotic cream can substitute that as well.

If I was your caring doctor, I would strongly insist on you treating it with saline gauze, but make sure your doctor has not contraindicated for any particular reason, for example if you are a diabetic.

Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (47 minutes later)
may I place plain water on a non adhesive bandage or must it be saline water .
Or can I place an antibotic on a non adhesive bandage. When I do this the wound remains wet but the sloth looks like pus and makes me think that area needs air. What I am finding is that the wound is crusting over when I just let it air dry even with the antibotic cream. I find that I must cleanse and reapply cream.
Last question...can I soften the sloth, clean the wound snd just apply a non adhesive bandage? This way it still would be covered but will not get that very wet sloth underneath.
I do not have any health issues
doctor
Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (24 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The cloth/gauze needs to be wet and remain in the wound

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for the follow-up question.

I read your questions carefully and will start answering now.

-- The method with saline water involved a gauze, which is dipped in either saline water or non saline but make sure it is clean water (saline is better), you take of the excess water and place it over the wound making sure it doesn't touch the normal skin around the wound. After doing that you can put an adhesive bandage over it. Change the wet gauze at least 3 times per day. You will notice the wound healing very fast.
-- Yes you can put an antibiotic on a non adhesive bandage, or put it directly on top of the wound and not cover the wound but leave it open.
-- yes, the wet cloth needs to stay on the wound, otherwise the wound will become dry. and by changing it often, it will wipe of the dead cells, will keep the wound wet and clean and start healing.

Hope I was clear and helpful.

Regards,
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Klarida Papaqako

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1804 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Keep A Wound Moist While Healing

Brief Answer: Tips on how to treat a wound in a practical best way. Detailed Answer: Hello, Hello, Thank you for using HCM to post your health query. Yes, it is possible to keep a wound moist. I don't know what type of wound is, because different ones have different way of treatment, but I will give you some tips on how to help that wound heal faster. -- First of all- do not use iodine, alcohol or Hydrogen peroxide on the wound. It will not only dry it, but also kill, together with the germs, the cells that are starting to heal. The skin has bacterias an it will continue to have even if you keep it always with disinfectant on top of it. -- One of the most recommended ways of treating a wound is to apply on top of it wet gauzes with saline water, and change them as frequent as possible but 3 times/day is random to change them. Yes, it will be covered, but the saline gauses will keep it wet, they wont allow clots to be formed on them, which slow/stop the healing process. The bed of the wound will be cleaned, which is from there it starts to heal. -- If you want to keep it uncovered, then applying a moisturizing cream, without color or smell (without additives) on top of it, will keep it moist. An antibiotic cream can substitute that as well. If I was your caring doctor, I would strongly insist on you treating it with saline gauze, but make sure your doctor has not contraindicated for any particular reason, for example if you are a diabetic. Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need more clarifications. Regards, Dr. Papaqako