BY YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE
A wound is an injury that cuts or breaks the skin. While most wounds heal naturally with time, there are some ways to speed up the healing process.
It is possible to treat a minor wound at home. However, there is need to seek medical help if there is a more severe injury that involves broken bones or excessive bleeding.
Here are some tips on how to manage cuts and scrapes that people can typically take care of at home.
To treat an open wound: Wash the hands with soap and clean wate, then remove jewelry and clothing from around the wound.
Apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding and clean the wound with clean water and a saline solution once the bleeding has stopped
Apply antibiotic ointment to the wound to prevent infection pat the wound dry with a clean cloth, close the wound and apply an adhesive bandage or band-aid.
A closed wound that is not sterile can trap bacteria and may cause further infections. Therefore, if a person has an unclean wound or a wound with an infection, they should leave it open until they can clean it, or the infection clears.
Methods for making a wound heal faster
Antibacterial ointment: A person can treat a wound with several over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial ointments, which can help prevent infections. They can also help a wound heal more quickly.
Antibacterial ointments may not be necessary for minor wounds, petroleum jelly, which acts as a barrier to protect the wound beyond a waterproof bandage can be used
Aloe vera
Aloe vera contains glucomannan, a substance that helps cellular regeneration and causes the body to produce collagen. This substance is a protein that promotes wound healing. Aloe vera could help retain skin moisture and integrity while easing inflammation and preventing ulcers.
Honey has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties Trusted Source. People have used the substance in traditional wound healing recipes for a long time. It also reduces scar formation and inhibited bacterial growth in acute wounds and burns.
Turmeric paste: A spice that comes from the plant of the same name. It contains curcumin, which has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Turmeric can be mixed with warm water to make a paste and applies to the wound.
Garlic contains the compound allicin, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Coconut oil contains the substance monolaurin, a fatty acid with antimicrobial properties. Fatty acids found in vegetable oils are assumed to play a large part.
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