As our lives are getting fuller and busier, it seems we’re always rushing to get things done. Yet, small every day injuries, like a small paper cut on the finger, or a minor burn while cooking can get in our way and force us to slow down and take care. How can you help your skin heal faster to be able to go on with your life? When getting injured, we often expect that the wound will heal quickly and without leaving a mark. However, wound healing is a complex process and many factors can interfere, delaying the wound healing. Learn about how to take care of wounds, wound cleansing and good wound care so you can get back to life and reduce the risk of scarring.
Why Protect Wounds
Keeping a wound safely protected is the key to an undisturbed healing process. When exposed, the wound is left defenceless against various elements that can cause infection, swelling or other complications. There a few key reasons you should protect your wounds:-
Fight Against Bacteria: If left uncovered, bacteria have the potential to enter into the wound, which could possibly cause infections and delay healing
Water contact can delay healing: Waterproof wound protection is essential to prevent the wound from getting in contact with water. Indeed, water may be contaminated with bacteria or contain harmful elements such as chlorine, which can significantly increase the risk of infection and delay wound healing. In addition, contact with water will swell the skin and can lead to delay in wound closure. Bacteria and germs can then more easily enter the wound, creating an even greater risk of infection.
Moist Healing supports the natural healing process: Protecting wounds using principles of moist wound healing will support the natural healing process. This is used in hospitals for the treatment of chronic wounds and is proven to heal wounds more safely, completely and quickly, with less likelihood of scarring than if the wound was allowed to dry out.
Why is Wound Cleaning Important?
When the skin is injured, the protective skin barrier is damaged, and dirt and bacteria can enter the body. This can cause a wound infection, which results in further skin damage and a delayed healing process. If not treated rapidly, the infection may spread to deeper tissue and lead to an even more serious health condition. This is why the first step to optimal healing is to ensure the wound is clean and cleansed. It is important to understand how to cleanse wounds.
How to Cleanse Wounds
Often we wonder what you need to clean a wound to ensure it doesn’t become contaminated. We recommend using a wound cleaning solution such as Elastoplast Wound Spray to cleanse wounds fast and pain-free. The wound cleansing spray is colourless, odourless and will prevent effectively from wound infections. It is also suitable for children and sensitive skin.
After stopping the bleeding, spray the entire wound area from a distance of about 10cm to remove dirt and visible particles. Afterwards, gently dry the wound and surrounding skin area. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products’ packages.
Good Wound Care for Optimum Healing
Wound protection should be part of a good wound care routine. In case of a bleeding wound, stop the bleeding by applying pressure, ideally using a non-stick dressing. If the bleeding continues, apply more gauze pads and keep pressure on the wound and seek medical advice.
Which plaster is right for me?
Understanding which plasters are right for the type of wound and where the wound is located. Have a read through all the different plasters to keep you covered and protected.
- Need a waterproof plaster? Elastoplast Aqua Protect offers waterproof wound protection. Available in a variety of different sizes, it is ideal for use while showering, bathing or swimming. It contains a non-stick wound pad that protects and cushions smaller wounds, creating an ideal environment for healing.
- Need an extra robust plaster? Elastoplast Heavy Fabric Waterproof Plaster is made for extreme conditions! Featuring Elastoplast's Hi-DRY TEX technology, these tough plasters are flexible and waterproof to provide a truly resilient plaster that’s perfect for outdoor activities, gardening or DIY projects.
- Need a plaster for moveable areas? Elastoplast Extra Flexible Fabric Plaster works brilliantly when used on small wounds located on joints & moveable parts of the body. These extra flexible plasters stay put by stretching with the skin and the movement of the body.
- Need to protect a wound on sensitive skin? Elastoplast Sensitive Plaster offers very skin friendly hypoallergenic wound protection. The soft breathable material of these gentle plasters cushions and protects wounds and is painless to remove.
- Need to cover a larger area? Elastoplast offers a range of XL and XXL plasters for the protection of medium sized and larger wounds depending on your needs, including antibacterial product with Silver technology.
- Need a plaster for small everyday wounds? Elastoplast Plastic Plasters are made for little scratches, burns and small cuts. These all-purpose plasters are breathable, water-repellent and offer protection to all kinds of small wounds.
Wound Healing
- Make sure that the wound is consistently protected. Change your plaster every day, unless instructed to do otherwise by a doctor. If it falls off, apply another right away.
- Leave the wound alone. If there is a scab, do not touch it and certainly don’t attempt to remove it. Try to reduce friction around the area if at all possible and wear loose clothing that doesn’t put pressure on the wound.
- Keep the wound away from UV rays. Exposure can cause discolouration of the skin and skin is more likely to scar.
- To support and speed up wound healing, apply the Elastoplast Wound Healing Ointment daily until the wound has healed completely and cover it with an Elastoplast plaster or non-stick dressing if needed. The ointment forms a protective barrier on the wound while creating an ideal moist healing environment that promotes up to 2x faster healing and helps to reduce scarring. In a clinical study using an Abrasive Wound Model, wounds treated with the Elastoplast Wound Healing Ointment have been proven to heal faster and with a better cosmetic outcome than untreated wounds*.
*W. Wigger-Alberti, et al. Assessment of local tolerability and wound healing efficacy of a novel wound healing ointment. An intra-individual comparison of four different regimes in an abrasive wound model. Submitted for publication. EWMA Conference (European Wound Management Association), May 2018
FAQ
-
Can I put alcohol on Wounds?
Using rubbing alcohol to clean wounds is a common practice which some of us know from our childhood. However, alcohol is not a good choice for treating an injury. When applied on wounds, alcohol burns, which makes it especially unsuitable for children and sensitive skin. Also, alcohol not only destroys bacteria but also living skin cells. Experts recommend to use products that are free of alcohol, for example Elastoplast Wound Spray.
-
When is wound cleansing necessary
Cleansing is essential for many types of acute wounds, such as cuts, abrasions, burns and open blisters. Regular cleansing is also recommended for the treatment of chronic and post-operative wounds as per doctor’s instruction.
-
How to clean a wound
We recommend to use the Elastoplast Wound Spray to cleanse wounds fast and pain-free. The solution is colourless, odourless and will prevent effectively from wound infections. It is also suitable for children and sensitive skin.
After stopping the bleeding, spray the entire wound area from a distance of about 10cm to remove dirt and visible particles. Afterwards, gently dry the wound and surrounding skin area. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products’ packages.
Always see your doctor if the wound is deep, bleeding or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth.
Also make sure to seek medical help if you are not able to clean the wound properly.
In case you have diabetes a proper wound care is of special importance. Always discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor and/or podiatrist, even for the care of minor wounds and skin cracks – especially on your feet.
Please note that none of the above given tips or recommendations substitute medical advice. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products‘ packages. Important: consult a health professional in case of any uncertainty of treating your wound properly.
The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care or advice. If you have or suspect a health problem, you should consult your doctor. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website.
For further information regarding Elastoplast products, please contact us via email on Australia support.anz@elastoplast.com.au (AU and NZ). Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products' packages.