Wound cleansing – The first step to support an optimal wound healing

Proper wound cleansing is the first and most crucial step in preventing infection and supporting optimal healing. Whether it’s a minor cut, scrape, or graze, thorough cleansing helps remove dirt, bacteria, and debris, reducing the risk of complications like scarring and prolonged healing.

Before covering your wound with plaster, like Hansaplast Second Skin Protection Hydrocolloid Advanced Plaster, it’s essential to clean and disinfect it properly using Hansaplast Wound Spray. In this article, you will learn how to clean a wound effectively and use Hansaplast products to promote optimal healing and protection.

It's important to learn how to clean a cut or graze if you or someone close to you requires treatment. Wounds should be cleaned and bandaged as soon as possible. For minor wounds, you should be able to do this yourself at home.

Follow these simple steps on how to clean an infected wound safely and effectively:

Before treating a wound, wash your hands with soap and water, then dry them thoroughly. If possible, wear disposable gloves to minimise the risk of infection. If you're helping someone else, ensure they are sitting or lying comfortably.

Apply light pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or sterile gauze. Most small cuts and grazes will stop bleeding on their own, but deeper wounds may take longer.

Hold the wound under cool tap water for a few minutes to wash away dirt and debris. Avoid using strong antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide, as they may irritate the skin and slow down healing.

Water can help rinse away some dirt and debris from a wound, but it may not effectively remove bacteria and prevent infection.

Hansaplast Wound Spray offers a practical and convenient way to cleanse wounds, reducing the risk of infection and promoting optimal healing. It is ideal for treating minor wounds such as cuts, grazes, and burns without causing discomfort. This fast and pain-free wound cleanser gently washes away dirt, bacteria, and particles without rubbing, which can further irritate the wound. The spray is also colourless and odourless and prevents infection, making it suitable for children and sensitive skin.

Spray the entire wound area from a distance of about 10cm to remove dirt and visible particles. Then, gently pat the area dry with a clean towel or cloth. Avoid cotton wool or swabs, as they can leave fibres behind.

After cleaning and drying out the wound, apply a thin layer of the Hansaplast Wound Healing Ointment, which supports the healing of minor wounds and damaged skin by promoting up to 2x faster healing and reducing the risk of scarring. It can be used at any stage of the healing process on superficial open wounds and damaged skin. A moist healing environment has been clinically proven to aid and speed up the natural wound healing process. You can use the ointment under a Hansaplast plaster or dressing. It is best to reapply the ointment once or twice daily until the wound fully recovers.

Cover the wound with a plaster or sterile dressing to keep out bacteria and prevent further injury. If the wound bleeds through the first dressing, leave it in place, apply pressure, and add another layer on top.

Hansaplast offers a wide range of plasters and dressings tailored to your needs:

• Hydrocolloid Plasters: The Second Skin Protection Hydrocolloid Advanced Plaster promotes faster healing by creating a moist environment and reducing scarring. It is ideal for blisters, burns, and minor wounds and provides cushioning and protection without sticking to the wound. Waterproof and sweatproof, it’s perfect for swimming, washing, and showering.
  
  
• Elastic Plasters: Flexible and breathable, these elastic plasters move with your skin, offering comfort and strong adhesion for minor cuts and grazes.
  
  
• Sterile Waterproof XXL Dressings: The Hansaplast Aqua Protect XXL is designed for larger or post-operative wounds. Waterproof and with strong adhesion, they’re perfect for washing, showering, or swimming while protecting the wound.
  
  
• Sensitive Medium Plasters: If you have sensitive skin, Hansaplast Sensitive Plasters protect minor cuts and grazes while offering comfort, breathability, and strong adhesion for effective healing.

If anything is embedded in the wound, do not try to remove it yourself.

Seek medical attention if the wound is deep, heavily contaminated, or shows signs of infection. Learn more in 'When to see a doctor about a wound' below.

When changing your plaster or wound dressing, you should only clean the cut again if there are signs of infection, the wound contains debris, or it's visibly contaminated with faecal material. When a wound is infected, cleansing should occur at each dressing change.

When the skin is injured, the protective skin barrier is damaged, meaning dirt and bacteria can enter the body. This can cause a wound infection, which results in further skin damage and a delayed healing process.

If left untreated, the infection may spread to deeper tissue, leading to an even more serious health condition. This is why the first step to optimal wound care is to ensure the wound is clean and cleansed.

Irrespective of their size, wounds will heal better if they are first cleansed from dirt, bacteria, and visible particles - so don’t underestimate a minor wound. Proper cleansing is essential for many types of acute wounds, such as cuts, abrasions, burns, and open blisters.

Regular cleansing is also recommended for treating chronic and post-operative wounds per the doctor’s instructions. The International Wound Infection Institute defines a chronic wound as “a wound that has a slow progression through the healing phases, or shows delayed, interrupted, or stalled healing due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors that impact the individual and their wound”.

While the advice above should help you know how do you clean a wound as part of an optimal healing process, you should seek medical advice if your wound:

• will not stop bleeding
• has an object inserted in it
• is very deep or large
• has not shown any signs of healing after one month
• is too painful for you to be able to clean it
• was caused by a bite (either animal or human) 
• is located near a major blood vessel or joint
• shows signs of infection (has pus coming out or is red and swollen)