Open or healing wounds can be accompanied by different types of exudation. Some of the most common? Clear liquid, yellowish secretions or traces of blood. Exudation occurs due to the fluids and proteins found between tissues and muscles. The color changes depending on the severity of the inflammation or the type of infection.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preparing to Medicare for the Wound
Step 1. Learn to identify a normal discharge
To treat a wound accompanied by exudation it is important to get an idea about the typical characteristics of the secretions. Here are some of the most common:
- Serous exudate - is a type of discharge that can manifest itself by means of a clear or slightly yellowish liquid. Being not very abundant, it is difficult for the bandages to moisten.
- Sero-blood exudate - this type of secretion is manifested by aqueous discharge formed by blood and serum. Since they contain a small amount of blood, they can be pinkish.
Step 2. Identify anomalous episodes
While it is helpful to know what normal secretions look like, it is important to be aware of what symptoms to look for if you have an infection. Here are some types of abnormal secretions:
- Bloody exudate - is a type of discharge that contains large amounts of blood and is therefore bright red.
- Purulent exudate - also called pus. The color varies: it can be green, yellow, white, gray, pink or brown. It usually smells bad.
Step 3. Wash your hands properly before dressing the wound and afterwards as well
Hand washing will limit the amount of bacteria that the wound will be exposed to. Here's how to wash them thoroughly:
- Wet your hands with warm or cold water;
- Soaponal;
- Massage them for 30 seconds to effectively remove dirt and bacteria;
- Rinse them under running tap water;
- Blot it with a clean towel.
Step 4. Put on a clean pair of gloves
Washing your hands is usually enough to prevent the wound from becoming infected, but the soap and water still leave microbes behind. As a result, wearing gloves creates an additional barrier between bacteria and the wound.
Remove your gloves after dressing the wound
Part 2 of 2: Treat the Wound
Step 1. Clean the wound with an antiseptic solution
Washing the wound with hydrogen peroxide or povidone iodine helps remove dead skin cells and other dirt residue. Antiseptic solutions contain germicidal substances that facilitate wound healing.
- Cleaning the exuding wound should be done at least once a day and whenever the bandage gets dirty or wet.
- Make sure you wash the wound with tap water before cleaning it with the antiseptic solution.
- When you clean it with hydrogen peroxide or povidone iodine, pour the solution onto a cotton ball or piece of gauze and gently wipe the wound. Clean it in a circular motion. Start from the center and work your way up to the edges.
Step 2. Apply antibacterial ointment
It will fight bacteria and help the skin stay hydrated. Here are some commonly used antibacterial ointments:
- Bacitracin-based ointments - apply to the wound three times a day;
- 2% mupirocin ointments - applied to the wound three times a day, every eight hours.
Step 3. Cover the wound using gauze
Cover it before the ointment dries. The wound should be kept moist, as excessive dryness can cause skin cracks during the healing process.
Place a piece of gauze over the wound and secure it at the edges with medical tape. Alternatively, buy some sticky gauze
Step 4. Change the gauze every time it gets wet
By keeping the dressing dry and clean, you will prevent the wound from becoming infected. Replace the gauze if it gets wet.
It should be changed immediately if it gets wet, in order to avoid the proliferation of bacteria found in the secretions
Step 5. You need to know when to see a doctor
You should keep an eye on the quantity and characteristics of the secretions. A normal wound is accompanied by light or moderate exudate.
- If the gauze gets wet several times a day, this means that the secretions are abnormal.
- You should call a doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital, as severe bleeding can be fatal due to the high amount of blood lost.
