Myths About Wound Care and Healing

We have all experienced cuts and bruises growing up and, if you have children, then, you've dealt with this recently: a scraped knee, a paper cut, a leg bruise, a finger cut, a sore, a hand burn, etc. 

We don't really give this a second thought because our bodies and our children's bodies do such a good job at healing and repairing the damage to our skin.

However, if the cut got infected, then, you may have had to get an antibiotic or see a doctor. But, still, it wasn't much of a problem to concerned about compared to other more serious health problems.

Have you ever wondered when you got a cut how your body healed the cut? 

This may not seem like an important topic, but, actually wound healing is becoming a major problem in the United States and around the world.

Why is that? How can such a minor problem become such a major health concern?

The number of people dealing with wounds, cuts and other abrasions that aren't healing has been increasing during the past several years for 4 reasons:

1. The general population is getting older.

2. The number of people with diseases like diabetes is increasing.

3.  People ignore the wound, not realizing that it's not healing.

4. There are myths and a lack of education by the public and the medical profession about proper wound care.

Despite the advancements in wound care, there are many common myths and attitudes people believe about healing wounds. Some of these ideas even come from doctors who refer patients to wound centers. However, using these methods can slow or even stop the healing process. 

Some of the common myths and misunderstandings about proper wound care include the following:

Myth: Keep the wound open to air and let it dry out or at least let the air get to it at night.

Fact: The standard in wound care is to always keep a wound covered and moist. The idea of “moist” wound healing has been around since the 1960s and there have been many, many, randomized clinical trials showing that all else being equal, a wound that is kept covered and moist will heal faster than a wound that is dried out.

It may go against common household lore, but clinical studies prove keeping your wound clean, moist and covered helps it heal faster. Many doctors and pharmacists recommend using an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment to moisten the wound. Recent research suggests using a wound dressing with polysaccharides (i.e. from a polysaccharide paste,  raw honey, aloe vera).

Myth: Let the wound develop a scab because a scab is a sign of healing.

Fact: Not true! A scab develops when the wound is allowed to dry up. A scab makes it harder for new skin cells to cover the wound. A scab can also trap inflammatory tissue and bacteria, which can lead to slower wound healing and a greater chance of infection.

Actually, the goal in caring for a wound is to prevent scab formation, say modern doctors. That's because a scab -- or hardened fluid and debris encrusting your wound -- will interfere with the healing process and could eventually lead to scarring. A broken scab can also lead to infection. To avoid scabbing, keep your wound moist with an appropriate cream, ointment or polysaccharide blend.

Note: To get rid of a scab, don't pick at it or try to pull it off! Instead, place a wet gauze or a cloth compress on the wound for five minutes every few hours. 

Do not tug or rub the skin, since doing so could harm the healing tissue and cause scarring.

Myth: Rubbing alcohol and/or hydrogen peroxide will keep the wound clean.

Fact: While it is important to clean your wound as soon as possible in order to prevent infection, using peroxide or alcohol is a bad idea, say most medical experts. Rubbing alcohol hasn’t been shown to be any better than using plain tap water to clean out a wound. Hydrogen peroxide is no better. Some studies show that hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol can kill normal tissue and cells that are trying to heal a wound. The bottom line is that the repeated use of rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide can be harmful to the wound-healing process.

Instead, clean your wound right away under running tap water or under a running shower. Use a mild liquid soap if you have it. You can also use a pressurized bottle of sterile saline -- available at most pharmacies -- to clean your wound if you don't have access to a shower or clean tap water.

If your flesh is embedded with debris, see a doctor immediately. You may be given a tetanus shot. This helps prevent the bacteria found in dirt and soil from making you sick. It's essential to get the dirt and debris out of a scrape so it won't leave behind a permanent "tattoo" on your skin. Your doctor or nurse may freeze the area before cleaning it, if you are in extreme pain.

Myth: Topical or oral antibiotics should be used to help heal a wound.

Fact: There are times when antibiotics are necessary to help heal a wound, but only when the wound is infected and then for just seven to 10 days. Continued use may only breed bacterial resistance. See your primary care provider if you think your wound is infected.

Myth: Itchiness is a sign of healing.

Fact: Not necessarily true. Itchiness can mean you are allergic to the bandage, bandage adhesive or antibiotic ointment. It can also mean you have an infection. Be aware with what's going on your skin and see a doctor if you think your wound is in trouble.

Myth: Put a bandage or gauze dressing on the wound and forget about it.

Fact: The purpose of wearing a bandage/dressing is to keep the wound clean and to absorb the fluid that oozes from it. Leaving a bandage on for too long can lead to infection and prevents you from monitoring your injury properly.

Be on the lookout for signs of infection, such as bad odors emanating from the wound, red streaks and fluid that's yellow or green. Such symptoms require immediate care from a doctor. Extreme pain is not unusual with a wound in the first several days, but if the pain gets worse or spreads, contact your doctor immediately.

Note: If you're diabetic and a wound is not healing, take photos of the wound daily and send them to your doctor.

FYI: The next blog post will discuss how to treat wounds and cuts properly.