Wound Care Advice

Quick Summary

— Keep your wound clean and dry.
— Leave the dressing in place unless advised otherwise.
— Manage pain with appropriate medication.
— Watch for signs of infection. If you notice increasing redness, pain, fever, or discharge, contact your doctor's office promptly.

Caring for Your Wound

Your body is naturally designed to heal most simple wounds without complications. The aim of wound care is to support healing while reducing the risk of infection and keeping you as comfortable as possible.

To help your wound heal:

• Keep the wound and dressing clean and dry.
• Rest and, where possible, keep the injured area elevated to reduce pain and swelling.
• Take pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if needed, following the manufacturer's instructions.
• If your dressing needs to be changed, taking a painkiller beforehand may help make the procedure more comfortable.
• Ensure your tetanus vaccination is up to date. If your last tetanus injection was more than 10 years ago, discuss this with your primary care provider.
• Attend any follow-up appointments that have been arranged.
• Follow any additional advice provided by the healthcare professional who treated your wound.

What You Should Not Do

Do not remove your dressing unless you have been instructed to do so. If the dressing falls off, becomes loose, or gets wet, arrange for the nurse at your doctor's office to assess the wound and apply a new dressing.

Signs of Infection

Contact your doctor's office as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

• Increasing redness around the wound
• Increasing pain
• A fever or raised temperature
• Pus or foul-smelling discharge from the wound
• Red streaks or lines spreading from the wound

Prompt treatment of an infection can help prevent complications and support healing.