What should be applied to a wound to help it heal faster? Effective solutions
Table of Contents
- What are open wounds?
- How to treat a wound at home
- How a wound heals
- Mistakes to avoid when treating wounds
- What to put on a wound to help it heal faster
Most minor wounds heal on their own over time; however, the healing process can be accelerated. So, what do you put on a wound to make it heal faster? We can use several remedies, such as aloe vera, antibacterial ointment, and honey. Wounds expose the body's internal tissues to the external environment. Cuts, bumps, and other types of impact are common in both children and adults. Minor injuries can be treated at home. However, in the case of accidents involving a broken bone or excessive bleeding, medical assistance is needed. Read on to find out how long it takes for a wound to heal.
1. What are open wounds?
Wounds can be caused in many different ways by a variety of objects, whether they are blunt, sharp, or projectiles. To determine what to put on a wound to make it heal faster, the first step is to identify the type of injury.
- Incised wound – A clean, straight cut caused by a sharp edge (e.g., a knife). It tends to bleed profusely because several vessels may be cut directly. Connecting structures, such as ligaments and tendons, may also be involved.
- Laceration – A jagged wound caused by a tearing or crushing force. It does not tend to bleed as much as incised wounds, but it often causes more damage to the surrounding tissues.
- Abrasion – A wound caused by a scraping or rubbing force. It tends not to be very deep, but it can often contain many foreign bodies, such as dirt (e.g., after a fall on rough terrain).
2. How to treat a wound at home
Minor wounds can be treated at home. First, the wound should be washed and disinfected to remove all dirt. The answer to the question what to clean a wound with is quite simple: basically with water, although an antibacterial agent can also be added. Direct pressure and elevation should be used to control bleeding and swelling.
When wrapping the wound, always use a sterile dressing or bandage. Very minor wounds may heal without a bandage. How long a wound takes to heal depends on its depth, but the injured area should be kept clean and dry for at least five days. Also, make sure you get enough rest.
If the wound causes pain, you can take painkillers as directed on the packaging. Avoid products with aspirin, as these can cause or prolong bleeding.
Apply ice if you have bruising or swelling and avoid picking at scabs. If you spend time outdoors, use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 on the area until it is completely healed.
A wound that won't heal? Go to the doctor!
Although you can treat some wounds at home, you should consult a doctor if you notice a wound that won't heal, or if:
- an open wound is deeper than 2 centimeters
- bleeding does not stop with direct pressure
- bleeding lasts for more than 20 minutes
- the bleeding is the result of a serious accident
3. How a wound heals
Wounds heal in stages. The smaller the wound, the faster it will heal. The larger or deeper the wound, the longer the scarring process takes.
When you cut, scratch, or prick yourself, the wound will bleed. The blood will begin to clot in a few minutes or less, stopping the bleeding. The blood clots dry and form a scab, which protects the underlying tissue from germs.
Not all wounds bleed. For example, burns, some puncture wounds, and pressure sores do not bleed. Once the scab forms, the body's immune system begins to protect the wound from infection.
In the next stage, the wound becomes slightly swollen, red or pink, and sensitive. You may also see some clear fluid draining from the wound. This fluid helps clean the area.
Blood vessels open up in the area so that blood can bring oxygen and nutrients to the wound. Oxygen is essential for healing. White blood cells help fight infections caused by germs and begin to repair the wound. This stage lasts between 2 and 5 days.
Stages of scarring
Next comes tissue repair. Over the next 3 weeks or so, the body repairs damaged blood vessels and new tissues develop.
Red blood cells help create collagen, which are strong white fibers that form the foundation for new tissue. The wound begins to fill with new tissue, called granulation tissue. New skin begins to form over this tissue.
As the wound heals, the edges retract inward and the wound becomes smaller. A scar forms, and the skin becomes stronger.
As healing continues, you may notice that the area is itchy. After the scab falls off, the area may look reddish. The same applies to wound healing after surgery.
The resulting scar will be smaller than the original wound. It will be less resistant and less flexible than the surrounding skin.
In time, the scar will fade and may disappear completely. This can take up to 2 years. Some scars never disappear completely.
Scars form because new tissue grows differently than the original tissue. If you only injured the top layer of skin, scarring will likely not occur. In the case of deeper wounds, marks are more likely to remain for a period of time.
Some people are more prone to scarring than others. Some may have thick, unsightly scars called keloids. People with darker skin tones are more prone to forming keloids.
4. Mistakes to avoid when treating wounds
- Do not use hydrogen peroxide or iodine to clean the cut. These are harmful to the skin and can actually delay healing.
- Do not leave a cut or scratch exposed to the air. A bandage can protect the area from friction with clothing and from dirt and bacteria getting into it, while keeping the cut moist to heal faster.
- Do not remove bandages quickly. Instead, remove them slowly and gently. If you feel it sticking, soak it in warm water to soften the scab. If you rip it off quickly, you may pull the scab off with it or reopen the wound.
- Do not scratch, pick at, or remove a scab. It may itch due to the healing process, but scratching it can break the new skin underneath, which may delay healing or, worse, leave a scar.
5. What to put on a wound to help it heal faster
It is very important to let the wound heal completely before engaging in any activity that will cause poor or impaired wound healing. It can take between 3 days and several weeks for the wound to close, depending on severity. To accelerate wound repair, there are certain things you can do, certain things you must avoid, and different products you should use.
Rivanol
Using rivanol can help prevent wound infection, which can make them more painful and more likely to worsen. It can also help a wound heal faster.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a plant from the cactus family. The plant contains glucomannan, a substance that helps cells grow and causes the body to produce collagen. This substance is a protein that helps wounds heal faster. Thus, in general, there is much evidence that it could help in healing first- and second-degree burns. Aloe vera could help maintain skin moisture and integrity, as well as relieve inflammation and prevent ulcer formation.
Aloe vera gel can be put on a wound to help it heal. You can also cover the wound with a bandage soaked in aloe vera gel to help it heal faster.
Honey
Honey has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for your body and skin. Honey can also accelerate the wound healing process. Using honey for minor and major wounds should be done after consulting a doctor.
Turmeric paste
Turmeric is a spice obtained from the plant of the same name. It contains curcumin, which has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Turmeric can help wounds heal faster because curcumin may help in making collagen at the site of a wound. Turmeric paste or powder should only be used on closed and small wounds. An open wound will require dedicated pharmaceutical products.
Vitamins A, C, and E
Vitamin A is an incredibly helpful aid when it comes to tissue repair and cell generation. Using topical retinoids (a derivative of vitamin A) also works to improve and accelerate wound healing.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the body's cells from free radicals. It is also a necessary vitamin for collagen production. Vitamin E modulates cellular signaling in the skin and affects wound healing. Getting an adequate amount of vitamin E can influence wound healing.
Conclusion
Wound healing occurs, most of the time, on its own. However, the remedies listed above can have beneficial effects on the healing process. Nevertheless, in the case of major injuries, as well as those that bleed, a doctor's visit is always necessary. Although it might seem like just a wound, the risks can be increased in case of contamination with microbes.
Sources:
https://healthwire.pk/healthcare/how-to-heal-wounds-faster-naturally/
