What is the best wound care method for faster healing?

Phyathai Phaholyothin

6 Min

17/03/2025

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What is the best wound care method for faster healing?

What type of treatment is suitable for this kind of wound to heal it and reduce the risk of infection or complications?

It is believed that everyone has had a wound before. If it is just a small wound without infection, it usually heals on its own within a few days. However, many people with large wounds or wounds that become inflamed, infected, and have pus may need to see a doctor for treatment. Today, we will understand the types of wounds and learn how to take initial care of wounds to help them heal faster and reduce the risk of infection or complications.

 

What is a wound?

A wound is damage to the body’s tissue, which may result from accidents, surgery, infection, or diseases that cause tissue deterioration. Wounds can be open and visible or internal and not visible to the naked eye. Proper wound care helps wounds heal faster and reduces the risk of infection or dangerous complications.

 

Why is wound treatment important?

Proper wound treatment is important because it not only helps wounds heal faster and better but also reduces the risk of complications. Incorrect wound care or leaving wounds untreated may lead to chronic wounds that are harder to treat. If wounds become inflamed or infected, it can affect the injured organ or nearby organs and can be life-threatening in cases of bloodstream infection (Sepsis).

 

Types of wounds and proper wound care methods

Wounds can be classified in various ways depending on the criteria used. Classifying wounds helps select the appropriate treatment methods, such as:

Physical injury wounds

Such as cuts or lacerations, usually caused by impact or sharp objects. Care for these wounds involves cleaning with clean water or saline, stopping the bleeding, and covering the wound with gauze or a plaster. If the wound is deep or wide, see a doctor for stitches. For abrasions, clean the wound thoroughly, apply antiseptic ointment such as Betadine or hydrogel, then cover with a non-adhesive dressing like special plasters or gel sheets to maintain moisture and promote faster healing.

Burn wounds caused by heat or chemicals

Immediately rinse the wound with clean water to reduce severity, then apply cream or gel to relieve burning symptoms and apply antiseptic before covering with gauze or gel sheets. If the burn is deep or covers a large area, see a doctor.

Pressure ulcers

Caused by sitting or lying in the same position for a long time, leading to skin compression. Clean the wound with saline and use special dressings that maintain moisture and prevent infection.

Surgical wounds

Clean the wound with clean water or saline, regularly check for signs of infection such as swelling, redness, or pus, cover with gauze or plaster, and follow the doctor’s instructions to prevent infection and complications.

Chronic wounds

Such as wounds from diabetes or circulation problems, which usually take a long time to heal and require special care, such as controlling blood sugar levels or improving blood circulation to help wounds heal faster. In some cases, antibiotics or surgery may be needed to assist wound healing.

Differences between normal wounds vs infected wounds vs chronic wounds

Characteristic Normal Wounds

(Acute Wounds)

Infected Wounds

(Infected Wounds)

Chronic Wounds

(Chronic Wounds)

Wound characteristics Caused by injury or impact, such as cuts or abrasions Wounds infected by bacteria, such as pus or foul odor Wounds that do not heal within the normal time, often caused by diseases or health conditions such as diabetes or pressure ulcers
Treatment Clean the wound with clean water or saline, stop bleeding, and cover with gauze Use antibiotics to control infection; drain pus if present Control underlying diseases such as blood sugar levels; use moisture-retaining dressings
Healing time Heals within 1-2 weeks Takes longer than 2 weeks; requires medical care Heals slowly or recurs frequently; requires continuous care
Warning signs No signs of infection such as swelling, redness, or pus Swelling, redness, pus, heat at the wound site Wound does not heal within expected time; may be caused by underlying diseases

 

Proper wound cleaning helps wounds heal faster and reduces the chance of infection

    Proper wound cleaning helps wounds heal faster and reduces the risk of infection. The methods are as follows:

  • Wash hands before wound care Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use alcohol gel to reduce contamination by germs
  • Use saline or clean water to clean the wound Avoid alcohol or hydrogen peroxide as they may damage tissue
  • Clean the area around the wound Use clean gauze to gently dab around the wound to prevent dirt from entering
  • Dry the wound Use clean gauze to gently dab to dry the wound
  • Use appropriate wound dressings Such as non-adhesive gauze or plasters that help maintain moisture and prevent germs
  • Change dressings regularly Change daily or immediately if wet or dirty to reduce the risk of infection
  • Avoid scrubbing or scratching the wound As it may deepen the wound or cause infection. If swelling, redness, or pus occurs, see a doctor immediately

 

Signs or symptoms of infected wounds that require urgent treatment

  • Wound has pus or abnormal discharge Such as yellow, white, green, or brown pus, which may indicate infection and requires immediate treatment
  • Wound is abnormally swollen and red If the wound starts to swell, turn red, or the surrounding area feels hotter than usual and pain increases, it may indicate inflammation from infection
  • Wound has a foul odor An abnormal or foul smell may be a sign of severe infection that needs prompt treatment
  • Fever Infection may cause fever. If fever occurs along with abnormal wound symptoms, see a doctor immediately
  • Severe or increasing wound pain Or pain that does not improve despite good care may indicate infection or spreading inflammation
  • Slow healing or expanding wound edges Or wounds that do not improve within the expected time or spread to other areas may indicate infection or healing problems
  • Swollen lymph nodes If lymph nodes near the wound, such as in the armpit, groin, or neck, are swollen, it may indicate wound infection and the body’s response to inflammation

 

If you have any of these symptoms or signs, see a doctor for treatment because if left untreated, the wound may worsen and cause severe complications.

 

Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital specializes in treating all types of wounds with an experienced team of specialists and advanced wound care technology, such as Negative Pressure Wound Therapy, which helps stimulate wound healing, the use of special wound dressings, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and systematic chronic wound care. All of these help wounds heal faster, reduce the risk of infection, and improve patients’ quality of life.

Register for a free medical consultation, click here

Dr. Sikharin Sornpipatpong
Specialist in Laparoscopic Surgery and Obesity Surgery
Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital

Which wound treatment is best for fast healing


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