Wound Care: What You Need to Know

What are wounds?

A wound is a break or damage to the skin surface and the soft tissue below it. The majority of wounds are minor, do not require medical attention and can be safely and effectively treated at home. 

Wounds are usually caused by something sudden such as a fall, a cut from a sharp object such as a knife or scissors or other accident. 

There are four primary types of wounds:

Abrasions: also known as grazes, abrasions can happen when skin is scraped across a hard surface, such as falling on an asphalt or gravel road. There is usually minimal bleeding, although it’s important to clean and disinfect the wound to avoid infection.

Punctures: a puncture wound is a small hole caused by a long, sharp object such as a needle or pin. Depending on the length of the object, puncture wounds can be deep enough to cause internal damage.

Lacerations: a deep cut or tearing of the skin and flesh. Often caused by accidents involving knives or blades, sharp tools, or machinery. Lacerations can be serious, cause significant loss of blood and often require medical attention.

Avulsions: are serious skin wounds resulting from serious accidents.  They bleed heavily and require immediate medical attention.

The stages of wound healing

The skin’s healing process follows four stages, interruption at any of the stages may slow down or stop healing.

Haemostasis (stop bleeding) stage: bleeding usually occurs when the skin is damaged by a cut, scrape or puncture. Following this, cells known as platelets help to form a blood clot at the site of the wound.

Inflammation stage: Once the wound is closed, blood vessels in the wound area expand to allow maximal blood flow to provide oxygen and nutrients to promote faster healing. White blood cells mount an immune response to any pathogens within or around the wound and provide other body substances to help repair the wound.

Fibroblastic (rebuilding) stage: as blood and other body substances arrive to help repair the wound, collagen starts to grow from within the wound to form a framework for tissue repair and can result in a scar tissue which shrinks and eventually closes the wound. 

Maturation stage: Over time the new tissue matures or strengthens, within months the tissue is as strong as before, though the whole healing process and scar tissue fading may take up to two years to complete.

Barriers to wound healing

Dryness: a moist environment is more conducive to healing than a dry one. Wounds that are constantly exposed to the air may heal very slowly.

Infection: when the body is engaged in fighting an infection in or around a wound, the healing process will take a lower priority and can take significantly longer.

Health status: factors such as age, and other medical conditions may all slow down wound healing. Speak with your health professional for more information.

Lifestyle factors: including diet, smoking and the taking of certain medications may all impede efficient wound healing. Speak with your health professional for more information.

First aid for minor wounds

Most minor cuts and wounds can be effectively treated at home by following a few simple steps:

- Stop bleeding by applying a clean cloth with light pressure. Use pressure and elevation to control bleeding.

- Wash hands thoroughly before first aid, clean the wound site with water and an antiseptic and use a wet cloth and remove any foreign material.

- Dry the wound and apply Medi Gel – a hydrogel that forms a protective barrier – to the wound area.

- Cover the wound area with a gentle bandage or non-stick dressing, keep the wound covered and moist to promote faster healing.

- Change the dressing and apply Medi Gel to the wound site regularly.

When to seek medical attention

Seek medical attention from a health professional for any wound that is caused by a serious accident, for any wound that is more than a few millimetres deep and/or the sides of the cut don’t join together, if bleeding cannot be controlled by direct pressure to the wound site, or if bleeding does not stop after about 20 minutes.

Medi Gel Wound Care Gel

Medi Gel is a hydrogel that forms a protective barrier for minor wounds such as cuts, abrasions, lacerations, minor burns, and sunburn.

Promotes wound healing by maintaining an ideal moisture level around the wound area to ensure optimal healing.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

Ingredients

Cetearyl alcohol ester + stearyl alcohol ester: function as emollients to soften and moisturise the skin and trap moisture.

Carnosine: a buffer which works with the carbomer to maintain the pH and moist environment of the wound.

Carbomer: forms a physical gel barrier to stop evaporation of moisture from the wound. Works with the carnosine to maintain the wound’s pH level while helping to absorb the wound exudate. 

Sodium benzoate + potassium sorbate: preservatives that inhibit the development of microorganisms.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.