Brilio.net - Torn wounds are usually caused by falling or being hit by a sharp object. These wounds can damage the body's protective layer. This allows bacteria and germs to enter the body and cause infections. Infections in lacerations can cause serious complications, especially if bacteria reach deep tissue or the bloodstream.
One of the main risk factors for infection in lacerations is lack of proper care. When wounds are not cleaned thoroughly or not closed properly, bacteria can multiply quickly. Using non-sterile equipment can also increase the risk of infection.
One of the worst conditions that can occur is a wound infection. If bacteria enter the wound and multiply, it will cause a severe local infection. Worse, it can spread to surrounding tissue. Infections that are not treated properly can cause swelling, severe pain, and even extensive tissue damage.
Apart from that, mishandling torn wounds can also increase the risk of keloids. Keloids are excessive growth of scar tissue in the wound area. If the wound is not closed and kept clean, the possibility of keloids forming is higher. Keloids can become permanent and cause cosmetic disturbances or even physical discomfort if they are located in sensitive or frequently used areas.
In very rare cases, lacerations that are not treated properly can result in blood infections or what is known as sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition in which the body overreacts to an infection, resulting in inflammation throughout the body. Sepsis can cause organ damage, organ failure, and even death if not treated immediately.
Prevention of infection in lacerations is essential to ensure a quick and complication-free recovery. With proper care, the risk of infection can be minimized, allowing the body to heal wounds properly. Therefore, it is important to always provide proper and careful care to torn wounds to avoid serious complications.
The following is how to provide first aid for torn wounds so that you don't mishandle them, which has been summarized by brilio.net from various sources, Tuesday (21/5).
First aid for treating lacerations
1. Don't use alcohol
photo: pixabay.com
The prohibition on treating torn wounds with alcohol stems from its irritant properties and the potential to cause alcohol poisoning in open wounds. Alcohol can irritate injured skin and surrounding tissue, slowing the healing process, and even causing more pain.
In addition, alcohol also has drying properties that can remove moisture from wounds, which can interfere with the body's natural healing process. Therefore, it is recommended to use gentler and more suitable materials such as clean water or a special antiseptic solution recommended by medical personnel to clean torn wounds.
Using alcohol on lacerations also risks poisoning the body, especially if the alcohol is absorbed through the wound. This can cause dangerous side effects, especially in children or people with low body weight. For this reason, it is very important to avoid using alcohol on torn wounds and choose safer and more suitable cleaning agents to reduce the risk of infection and speed up the wound healing process.
2. Sterilize hands before touching
photo: pixabay.com
Torn wounds make it easy for foreign substances to enter the body. Touching hands with many unknown substances creates the potential for infection. Avoid even the slightest touch when an accident occurs, causing lacerations. Cleaning your hands well makes you safer.
The first thing you can do is wash your hands with clean water and soap for at least 20 seconds, making sure to clean the entire surface of your hands, including between your fingers. Rinse hands with clean water and dry with a clean towel or tissue. Next, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, rub it all over the surface of your hands and rub until dry.
Make sure not to touch anything before touching the torn wound for effective sterilization. With these steps, you can reduce the risk of infection in torn wounds and help the healing process more quickly.
3. Clean the torn wound
photo: pixabay.com
Cleaning torn wounds is a must, even though many people find it scary. Please note that the longer you delay cleaning the wound, the more painful the wound will become. You need to have the courage to clean it immediately when you find out there is a torn wound. You can pay attention to the following things so that the way you clean doesn't cause anything more fatal.
- Equipment preparation: Prepare the necessary tools, such as medical gloves, antiseptic cleaning fluid (for example, chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine), saline solution or warm clean water, and sterile gauze.
- Clean the wound: Wet sterile gauze with an antiseptic solution or saline, then gently clean the wound. Avoid using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide directly into the wound because it can damage tissue.
- Sterilize from foreign objects: If there is dirt or foreign objects in the wound, use sterile tweezers to remove them. Avoid using your fingers as this can increase the risk of infection.
4. Stop bleeding
photo: pixabay.com
Stopping bleeding in torn wounds cannot be done haphazardly to be more effective. You can take the following steps to stop bleeding:
- Apply pressure to the wound: Place a piece of clean cloth or sterile gauze directly over the wound and press firmly for several minutes. This pressure helps small torn blood vessels to close and stop bleeding.
- Elevate the injured part: If possible, raise the injured body part above heart level. This helps reduce blood pressure in the wound and helps stop bleeding.
- Use a compression dressing on the wound: Once the bleeding starts to stop, wrap the wound with sterile gauze or a compression dressing. Make sure not to tighten too much so as not to disrupt blood flow to the injured area.
5. Get medical attention
photo: pixabay.com
Injuries that cause lacerations can vary widely. When it's just a small cut, simple first aid will keep you safe. Torn wounds that are deep, extensive, or located in sensitive areas such as the face, eyes, or genital area need to be immediately examined by a doctor to avoid serious complications.
In addition, lacerations caused by sharp objects, animal bites, or open wounds contaminated with dirt or chemicals should also be treated immediately by a health professional to prevent infection and ensure optimal healing.
Trying as hard as possible to provide first aid must be done. However, if the bleeding does not stop after a few minutes or the wound appears to be getting worse, seek medical help immediately. The doctor can provide further treatment to stop bleeding and treat the wound properly.
Intern: Robiul Adil Robani