Cláudio Ferreira Coordinator LUZ 24 Abrasions, scratches and small wounds are common everyday accidents, both in adults and children. It is simple to treat these small skin wounds at home, when they only involve the outermost skin layer, the epidermis. They just require good hygiene and monitoring for signs of infection. Prepare to care Even if your hands are not visibly dirty, first of all wash them before starting to treat a wound. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Use enough soap and rub the entire surface of your hands for 60 seconds, taking care not to forget the spaces between your fingers; If possible, wear disposable gloves and put them on before starting to treat on the wound; Clean, protected hands help prevent infections. Stop bleeding Usually the blood loss from superficial wounds is small and will resolve itself. If it does not, you can help: Apply light pressure to the wound using a compress or a clean cloth; Elevate the wound area; Wounds with blood loss that do not stop these measures need medical attention. Clean the wound Cleaning a wound involves the wound itself and the surrounding area. Start with the skin around the wound. Clean it thoroughly with soap and water. Then move to the wound area: Use water, saline, or a wound-cleaning solution; Cleaning can be done under running water to remove any debris present. Alternatively, use a gauze pad to help, do not use cotton or any furry material; Clean the wound from the center to the periphery; Remove dirt, if necessary use tweezers previously disinfected with alcohol to remove debris. Dry the area surrounding the wound with a gauze pad. Protect Covering a wound helps keep it clean during the healing process, but it is not always necessary: Small and superficial wounds do not need protection, let it heal in the air. If the wound is in an area of frequent friction or that rubs easily in other places, you can protect it with a sterile gauze pad or dressing. In this case, be careful not to leave the adhesive on the wound. If covering the wound, change the dressing daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty. What you should not do when treating a wound Touchthe wound without washing your hands before; Blow (cough or sneeze) into the wound; Try to treat deep wounds where you can see that there is loss of skin or deeper tissues, that are heavily soiled, that have foreign bodies that are difficult to remove, or that do not stop bleeding. Keep attention Usually the small wounds heal without problem. However, you should be on the lookout for signs of infection. If you notice redness, pus formation, heat or swelling or increased pain in the wound area, seek medical attention. After healing, be careful to hydrate the area with a moisturizing cream and protect it from sun exposure. If you need to, call LUZ 24 – 217 104 424 – the Hospital da Luz clinical triage service, by phone, available 24 hours, 365 days, for adults and children. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
