The Top 4 Mistakes People Make When Caring For Their Wounds--And How To Avoid Them

Knowing how to care for wounds properly is essential to ensure you heal as quickly and as cleanly as possible. Improper wound care can lead to problems ranging from infections to blood clots to general non-healing, and that’s why it’s so important to take care of your cuts and scrapes the right way from the start. 


In this guide, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about caring for your wounds in order to ensure proper healing every time.



#1. Not changing wound dressings regularly

Most wounds will require at least weekly dressing changes. Depending on how deep or dirty your wound is, you may need to change it daily or even more frequently. Resist skipping these dressings; doing so could lead to infection and other complications. 


Ask your wound care nurses for specific instructions on when and how often you should change your dressing. And keep in mind that you’ll want to take photos of your wound at each visit so that you can monitor its progress and alert the wound care outpatient team about any issues or concerns. 


#2. Not following a wound-healing diet 


It's common for people with chronic wounds to lose weight because they're not eating enough calories. But you'll have an easier time healing if you follow a healthy diet plan—one that includes plenty of protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals (especially zinc), and essential fatty acids. 


Your wound care nurses can help create a personalized meal plan based on your needs and preferences. They may also recommend vitamin supplements if necessary. A dietitian might also be able to help with special dietary needs or restrictions (such as those related to diabetes). 


If you're having trouble keeping up with your diet while taking medications, talk with your doctor about switching medications or adjusting dosages until you've healed completely.


#3. Not treating open wounds properly

Not treating an open wound is potentially dangerous. A physician or wound care nurse responsibilities are to prescribe medication to help prevent infections and provide special dressings that can keep a wound covered and sterile. However, there are steps anyone with an open wound can take to help keep it clean and heal properly: 

  • Keep your hands clean—wash them frequently throughout the day, especially after visiting a public restroom or handling money

  • avoid touching other people’s wounds

  • only interact with someone else’s wounds if you wear disposable gloves and wash your hands after removing them. 

  • Also, avoid crossing your contaminated fingers or toes


#4. Exposing wounds to germs

Although wound care in an outpatient setting might seem convenient, it's not. In fact, exposing wounds to germs can increase a person's risk of infection and slow down their healing process. If you have a clean injury, a healthcare professional will likely recommend that you stay home and avoid public places until your wound is fully healed. Once your wound is showing signs of improvement, however, you may be able to use wound care products at home to treat it as needed.


Wrap Up

Once a wound is out of danger and has stopped actively bleeding, it’s time to heal. The best thing you can do to help your wound start healing is to keep it clean. It may be tempting but resist picking or playing with your wound. It’s not doing any good and could damage scar tissue, which will cause more problems down the road. Just wash with mild soap and warm water on a regular basis, gently patting dry afterward if possible.

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