A Wound to the Wise: Basic Wound Care Tips and Tricks

You have sustained a wound, now what do you do?

• Wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer, if available. You can also wear medical gloves, if readily available.
• Stop the bleeding.
• Clean the wound with mild soap and water once bleeding is controlled or stopped.
• Cover the wound with a dressing.
• Seek medical attention if needed.
• Get a Tetanus vaccination, if not up-to-date.
• Watch for signs/symptoms of infection: fever, chills, redness, increased warmth, worsening pain, swelling, odor, or other concerning symptoms related to the wound.

Seek medical attention as soon as possible, if:

• Bleeding will not stop with pressure.
• A foreign object (i.e. soil, wood, metal, etc.) is in the wound.
• Animal/human bites.
• Puncture wounds by a dirty object.
• Signs of infection (fever, chills, redness, increased warmth, worsening pain, swelling, odor, or other concerning symptoms).

If there are concerns or health conditions that would cause a wound to heal slowly, a referral to the Oaklawn Wound Care Center would be appropriate. Wound care centers offer scientific and clinical expertise to deliver the best patient outcomes.