Wound care ointment

Wound care ointment is by no means a "universal care product" suitable for all wounds. Its core value is to create a suitable moist healing environment for wounds that meet the indications and reduce the risk of infection and scar. Choosing the wrong product and using the wrong scene will delay healing and aggravate the injury.

I worked as a nursing assistant in the community health service center for half a year before, and I have seen too many cases of people using the wrong ointment. Last week, I met a young man who cut his hand by cutting vegetables. The wound was only the size of his fingernail and the depth was less than 2 mm. He applied erythromycin at home for 3 days, and he was still wrapped in a waterproof band-aid. When he came, the wound was white and there was a small red rash, which was a typical contact dermatitis caused by the abuse of antibiotic ointment without infection.

Speaking of this, I have to mention that there have always been two different views on when to use ointment in the nursing circle. The old-fashioned nursing staff prefer to dry and expose shallow small wounds first, and scab is good, so it is not easy to suffocate infection; Young nurse practitioner pays more attention to wet healing. As long as there is no large amount of exudation, all wounds are coated with ointment, and the healing is quick and the scar is small. I have tried both methods myself. In fact, no one is right or wrong, just look at the wound location, season and your own needs. For example, if you sweat a lot in summer and rub a small broken skin on your arm, you have to apply thick ointment and stick a band-aid, which will probably cause problems; But if there is a small cut on your finger in winter, you should wash your hands and touch the water every day. If you leave it dry for half a month, you can't get well. Apply a little vaseline-based ointment, and it will get better quickly and it won't hurt.

As for the specific choice, I sorted out the application scenarios of several types of products commonly used at ordinary times, all of which were summarized by stepping on the pit after practical operation, which is more reliable than the general instructions searched online:

Hey, don't underestimate this thin layer of ointment, there are really many places to step on the pit. Two years ago, I followed the trend and bought the "Japanese Universal Wound Cream" purchased by online celebrity. I applied it upward after I fell on my knee. As a result, I was swollen to a high height the next day. I went to the hospital to check that it was contact dermatitis. Later, when I saw the ingredient list, the essence ranked fourth. So I applied cosmetics to an open wound. I really remind you that you must choose the mechanical size when applying to the wound, and don't touch the makeup size, no matter how expensive it is.

There is also a small detail that many people ignore. Before applying ointment, the wound must be cleaned. After iodophor is sterilized, it is best to wash the residual iodophor with normal saline before applying it. Otherwise, iodophor mixed in ointment will stimulate the new granulation tissue. I helped my grandmother to treat the mild pressure sore on the coccyx. At first, I didn't pay attention to it. The wound was always red and healed slowly. It was only after the old nurse at the health station reminded me that it was such a small detail. Later, the wound healed in less than a week.

In fact, to put it bluntly, wound care is really not that complicated. Ointment is an auxiliary tool. If you are not sure about a small wound, just compare it with the table above. If the wound is deep, bleeding can't stop, or you have a fever, don't blindly apply medicine and go directly to the hospital to see a doctor. It is better than anything.