When an accident causes a bleeding wound, we want the wound to heal quickly. However, naturally, the human body requires some time to repair the cells, which depends on the nature and size of the wound and how fast it heals. Generally, the stages of wound healing are as follows…
Wound Healing (Wound healing)
Wound healing has 4 stages, including
1. Hemostasis
When a wound occurs, blood vessels are torn causing bleeding. The body reacts by initiating the hemostasis and clot formation process, which causes blood to clot and platelets to aggregate to stop the bleeding.
2. Inflammation
The inflammation process starts within 10-30 minutes after the wound occurs, causing pain, swelling, redness, and heat around the wound. White blood cells are important cells that help the wound heal faster by secreting growth factors that stimulate cell proliferation. The wound will heal by itself in about 3 days if there is no secondary infection.
3. Proliferation
Next, cells produce granulation tissue, collagen, and fibronectin coating substances, leading to wound contraction.
4. Remodeling
This is the final stage of the wound healing process, which begins about 20 days after the wound occurs. This process can continue for years, making the wound stronger.
How to care for wounds to heal well and quickly?
- Be careful not to let the wound get wet or damp as it may cause inflammation or infection. If the dressing is wet or dirty, clean the wound immediately.
- If the wound is on the arm, leg, hand, or foot, elevate the limb above heart level to reduce pain and swelling.
- Do not touch, pick, or scratch the wound. Keep the wound and other parts of the body clean to prevent germs from entering the wound.
- If you have a fever, increased wound pain, or swelling and redness around the wound, see a doctor for a follow-up examination. You can come before your appointment if necessary.
- If you have an appointment for tetanus or rabies vaccination, attend every appointment to ensure full immunity. If it is inconvenient to visit the initial hospital, you can receive the vaccine at a nearby hospital.
- Do not use herbs or powder to cover the wound as it may cause infection.
- Take medications as prescribed by the doctor. If antibiotics are prescribed, complete the full course.
- Get enough rest and reduce movements that may cause inflammation.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol as they slow down wound healing.
- Attend wound care appointments as scheduled by the doctor.
- Eat foods that help wounds heal faster, such as meat, nuts, egg whites, milk, vegetables, and sour fruits. Avoid fermented foods and foods that cause bleeding, such as ginseng, energy drinks, and collagen.
Suture removal: Should come for suture removal as scheduled
Suture removal can be done 7-14 days after stitching, depending on the injury site. For facial wounds, the doctor may remove the sutures within 5 days after stitching.
