Dressing Your Wound

Quality Care to Heal Your Wounds

Healthy skin is a natural barrier to prevent infection. A break in your skin makes it possible for germs to enter your body and cause an infection. Covering your wound will help to keep it clean and prevent infection.

At Touro, our nurses can show you:

• How to take care of your dressing
• When and how to change your dressing
• What to watch for as your wound heals

Changing your dressing

First, gather the supplies you will need. These include wound cleanser, a trash bag, hand soap, dressing, and tape. Wash your hands with soap and water before carefully remove your dressing. Throw away the old dressing and try to keep the wound clean. Examine your wound carefully. Be on the lookout for any foul odors, a change in color or amount of drainage, redness or swelling around the wound, or spreading away from the wound. Wash your hands with soap and water again after inspecting the wound.

Clean your wound with a safe wound cleanser before putting on a new dressing. Wash your hands with soap and water once more after doing so. Change the dressing again when it gets dirty or wet, or as directed by the Wound Healing Center staff. Do not put anything into an open wound that is not prescribed by your physician.

Helping your wound heal

To encourage and speed up the healing process, you’ll want to pay attention to how you handle your wound and make sure you keep it clean and properly dressed.

Follow these tips to help your wound heal safely and quickly:

• Keep the outside of your dressing clean and dry. If it becomes soiled or wet, change it as soon as possible
• Keep your body clean by bathing daily with soap and water
• Change your dressing after your bathe or shower
• Eat a well-balanced diet
• Follow special dietary or fluid restrictions that your doctor has ordered
• Carefully examine your wound every time you remove your dressing
• Immediately report any changes to the wound center and your physician

The better your overall health, the better your wound will heal. The healing process takes time but with concerted efforts and care, you can have a strong impact on how your wound heals. Be advised that if anything out of the ordinary happens regarding your wound, the Touro Wound Healing Center is available to answer questions and address concerns.

You should call us if you experience any of the following:

• Increased pain at the wound site
• Redness or swelling around the wound or spreading away from the wound
• A foul odor coming from the wound
• Changes in color or amount of drainage coming from the wound
• Fever or chills
• Nausea or vomiting