An open wound is any internal or external injury that exposes internal tissue to the external environment. People can sometimes treat acute open wounds at home with medications and natural remedies.
People should seek immediate medical attention for severe wounds that involve significant bleeding or broken bones.
Wounds fall into two broad categories: open or closed.
In a closed wound, tissue damage and bleeding occur under the surface of the skin. Examples of closed wounds include bruises.
An open wound involves a break in the skin that leaves the internal tissue exposed. They may result from falls, blunt trauma, and surgery.
The most suitable wound care may depend on the type of wound someone has. Some examples of open wounds include the following.
Abrasion
An abrasion wound, such as a scraped knee or road rash, occurs when the skin rubs or slides against a rough surface.
Although abrasions produce very little blood, it is important to sanitize the wound and remove any debris to prevent infection.
Laceration
A laceration is a deep opening or tear in the skin. Lacerations usually occur from accidents or incidents involving knives, machinery, or other sharp tools. This type of wound may cause significant bleeding.
Avulsion
An avulsion involves forcefully tearing away the skin and underlying tissue.
Avulsions can result from violent incidents, such as explosions, animal attacks, or motor vehicle accidents.
Puncture
A puncture wound is a small hole in the soft tissue. Splinters and needles can cause acute puncture wounds that only affect the outer layers of tissue.
However, knife or gunshot wounds can damage deep muscles and internal organs, which may result in significant bleeding.
Incision
An incision is a clean, straight cut in the skin. Many surgical procedures use incisions. However, accidents involving knives, razor blades, broken glass, and other sharp objects can also cause incisions.
Incisions usually cause heavy, rapid bleeding. Deep incisions can damage the muscles or nerves and may require stitches.
Minor or acute open wounds may not require medical treatment. People may be able to treat these wounds at home. However, severe open wounds that involve significant bleeding will require immediate medical attention.
Open wound care may involve the following steps:
- Stop the bleeding: Using a clean cloth or bandage, gently apply pressure to the wound to promote blood clotting.
- Clean the wound: Use clean water and a saline solution to remove any debris or bacteria. Once the wound is clean, pat it dry with a clean cloth. A doctor
may need to perform a surgical debridement to remove debris from severe wounds containing dead tissue, glass, bullets, or other foreign objects. - Treat the wound with antibiotics: Some wounds may require a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
- Close and dress the wound: Closing clean wounds helps promote faster healing. Waterproof bandages and gauze work well for minor wounds. Deep open wounds may require stitches or staples. However, doctors may leave an infected wound open until the infection clears.
- Routinely change the dressing: If a wound has a dressing, healthcare professionals will advise how often to change it. Disinfect and dry the wound before reapplying a clean adhesive bandage or gauze.
It is always best for people to follow a healthcare professional’s advice about caring for their specific wound.
People can take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications to reduce inflammation and painful symptoms during the healing process. Healthcare professionals may not recommend certain medications, such as aspirin, for everyone.
A healthcare professional may also prescribe stronger pain relievers for people with severe or infected wounds.
People can use topical antiseptics on minor cuts and scrapes. A healthcare professional
People may be interested in trying the following natural remedies for minor wounds at home, such as shallow cuts and scrapes. However, it is a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional before using natural remedies on wounds.
Turmeric paste
A compound in turmeric called curcumin possesses potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which may enhance wound healing.
A 2022 review suggests that curcumin may reduce inflammation and speed up the process of wound healing by promoting the development of collagen and new blood vessels.
However, a
People can speak with a healthcare professional to see if applying a turmeric paste to their wound may help to promote its healing.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera belongs to the cactus family. The leaves of the aloe vera plant contain a gel-like substance rich in minerals and vitamins, which may promote wound healing.
According to a
Also, aloe vera may help reduce inflammation, prevent ulcers, and enhance skin integrity.
People can apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel to the area or dress the wound in a bandage soaked in aloe vera gel.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil may promote wound healing due to its high concentration of monolaurin, a fatty acid renowned for its antimicrobial effects.
Using high quality coconut oil may help to reduce inflammation and speed up wound healing.
Garlic
Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. According to a 2018 rat study, an ointment containing 30% garlic promoted enhanced cellular proliferation compared with Vaseline.
Diverse groups of bacteria populate the surface of the skin. Open wounds require proper care and sanitation to reduce the risk of infection.
Some signs of an infected wound include:
- flushed, swollen, or warm skin near the wound
- worsening pain
- clear fluid or pus collecting in the wound
- blisters or sores
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes
Infections that can develop from open wounds include:
Staph infection
Staphylococcus refers to a group of bacteria present on the skin and inside the nose.
Staphylococcus bacteria
Staph infections may remain in the skin and affect the sweat and oil glands. However, they can also spread throughout the body and affect multiple organs.
A healthcare professional can prescribe antibiotics to help fight off staph infections. However, certain Staphylococcus strains, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), resist the antibiotics that doctors typically prescribe.
Tetanus (lockjaw)
Clostridium tetani
C. tetani exists in soil, dust, and on the outside of metal objects. For this reason, people should seek medical attention if they have a puncture wound from a nail or another sharp metal object.
A vaccine is available to prevent tetanus. However, people need regular booster vaccinations to maintain immunity.
Necrotizing fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare bacterial infection that kills soft tissue. Bacteria called Group A Streptococcus typically cause this infection. It develops suddenly and spreads rapidly.
Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe medical condition that requires immediate treatment. It can lead to sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, multiple organ failure, and even death.
Symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis resemble those of the flu. They can include:
- severe pain near the wound
- black, purple, or gray skin near the wound
- fever
- stomach ache and nausea
- diarrhea or vomiting
- chills
- muscle aches
- sudden confusion
Chronic wound
A chronic wound is one that takes an unusually long time to heal or continuously reopens. Healthcare professionals may consider a wound chronic if it does not heal in
Open wounds leave the tissues of the body exposed to the external environment. Bacterial colonies present on the skin can infect open wounds. However, proper sanitation and wound care techniques can reduce the risk of infection and promote faster healing.
Minor open wounds may not require medical treatment, but using OTC remedies, such as topical antiseptics, will help keep the wound clean.
Natural remedies that may also help include turmeric, aloe vera, coconut oil, or garlic, but people should speak with a healthcare professional before trying these.
Large open wounds that involve significant bleeding require immediate medical attention.