Wound Care, Cut Treatments, Cold Packs
Wound Care: An Essential Part of Your First Aid Guide
All Safety Products carries a full range of wound care and first aid products such as emergency medical kits, wound care supplies, cut treatment products, cold packs and more to meet your specific wound care needs.
In Wound Care treatment, remember some basic things:
Some Blood Is Good
Blood helps to clean wounds, so some bleeding is good. Most small cuts and scrapes stop bleeding pretty quickly, but you can help by applying firm, gentle pressure with gauze or a tissue. If blood starts to soak through, layer another piece of gauze or tissue on top of the older one and don't remove the old one or you may reopen the wound and start the bleeding once again.
In Providing Cut Treatment, Clean Cuts and Scrapes Gently
In providing cut treatment or treating scrapes, your first step is fairly easy to first soothe and clean the wound with cool water. Then proceed to remove any pebbles or splinters with alcohol-sterilized tweezers. Gently wash around the wound with soap and a washcloth. Do not use any irritating soap, iodine, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide as this may aggravate the cut or scrape. Usually fresh, clean water should be all you need.
Do You Need an Antibiotic Cream?
Antibiotic creams and ointments not only keep wounds moist but they can reduce the risks of infection. If you do use an antibiotic, apply a thin layer on the wound. Certain antibiotic ingredients can trigger a rash in some people. If you get a rash, stop using that ointment.
When Do You apply a Bandage?
If your scrape will be rubbed by clothes, cover it with a bandage. An uncovered scab or scrape is at risk of reopening or infection. When in doubt, cover it up with an adhesive bandage to keep out the bacteria (and prying fingers), then change the bandage daily.
Signs of Adhesive or Latex Allergy
If you feel like it's itchy, blistery, or burning under your bandage, you may have an allergy to the adhesive used in some bandages. For sensitive skin, try switching to sterile gauze and paper tape, or an adhesive-free dressing.
Look for Signs of Healing
Our bodies are pretty miraculous in the healing process. Almost as soon as you get a cut or scrape, your body begins healing your injury. White blood cells attack infection-causing bacteria. Platelets, red blood cells, and fibrin create a jelly-like clot over the wound and soon a protective scab forms. If your wound gets itchy, be gentle -- you want that scab to stay where it is.
Some Quick Care for Minor Burns
Most of us have had a small burn or two. To treat one, cool the area right away with a cold cloth or cool water to keep the skin from holding the heat and continuing to burn. Afterward, wash the burn with soap and water and dress it lightly. Leave any blisters that form alone -- they help to protect the skin as it heals.
Surgical Wound Care Treatment
Providing surgical wound care is similar to taking care of cuts and scrapes. You'll probably have to protect the incision with a bandage for a few days, and change the dressing daily. Follow your doctor's instructions for caring for your stitches or staples. You'll also want to keep the area dry, and report any increase in bleeding or redness to your doctor.
Recognizing Signs of Infection
If there's skin redness that spreads out from your injury, swelling, green or yellow fluid, or increased warmth or tenderness around your wound, you may have an infection. Other signs include swollen lymph nodes at your neck, armpit, or groin, as well as body aches, chills, or fever. If you have any of these signs, give your doctor a call.
You Will Want to See a Doctor About a Wound That ...
... won't stop bleeding after 5-10 minutes of pressure; is deeper or longer than a half-inch; is near the eye; is gaping or ragged; was caused by something dirty or rusty; has dirt or gravel stuck in it; is very painful; shows signs of infection; or was caused by an animal or human bite. Also see a doctor if you aren't sure if you're up to date on your tetanus vaccine.
By providing wound care properly, you help to prevent more serious conditions such as Cellutis, Necrotizing Subcutaneous and Gas Gangrene from occurring.
Cellulitis
Most commonly infecting the lower half of the human body, cellulitis renders warm, swollen, red and tender to the touch skin. Occasionally, the infection also causes fevers, headaches and chills.
Necrotizing Subcutaneous
The infection causes skin to swell, become inflamed, blush red and become hot to the touch. If the already-serious infection intensifies, the cut may develop gangrene.
Gas Gangrene
This dangerous infection of skin tissue occurs when an open cut is infected by a bacteria such as Clostridium. Gas gangrene is a potentially lethal infection, and leads the infected person to suffer from fevers, heart palpitations and extreme pain.
The information on All Safety Products First Aid resource section details information that can further assist you in selecting the correct safety First Aid products to ensure ANSI compliance as well as other applicable codes.
Contact All Safety Products today to locate the wound care products that best meet your needs or request a quote for wound care and first aid products such as emergency medical kits, wound care supplies, cut treatment products, cold packs and more to meet your specific wound care needs.
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