Dr. George D. Winter’s wound care study showed that the regrowth of skin over a wound (epithelialization) was twice as fast in those wounds covered with a film dressing. If you don't have an adhesive bandage and plan on taping the dressing in place, leave a little extra material on the edges so the tape doesn't stick directly to the wound. If your provider gives the OK, gently rinse the wound with water as you bathe. You never know when you or a loved one will suffer a wound that needs first aid. You can also apply petroleum jelly onto the wound to promote a proper moist environment. A wound infection can, most of the time, be prevented with these two simple steps. Some of the many causes of chronic (ongoing) skin wounds can include trauma, burns, skin cancers, infection or underlying medical conditions such as diabetes. If the injury is just a minor scrape or scratch, leave it uncovered. Leave small gaps between strips so you do not completely cover the wound. Add more steristrips as needed for the rest of the wound. If the injury is just a minor scrape or scratch, leave it uncovered. Be careful not to touch the underside of the dressing (the side that will lay against the wound) in order to reduce the risk of infection. Cover the wound loosely with a bandage to block dirt from entering the wound. Do this at least once a day or whenever the bandage becomes wet or dirty. In other cases where the infection could not be prevented, noticing the problem when it first begins will be far more likely when you are performing routine wound care as directed by your surgeon. We will cover several types of open wound, as well as how to treat them, in more detail below. Covering the wound keeps it clean. Bandaging a wound is an integral part of first aid treatment. When wounds are exposed to the air, they form a scab. The most important thing does not necessarily lie on what type of dressing you are using, but depends more on the regular dressing changes and hygiene. Wound closing brings any separated tissue together and repairs any damaged organ(s) or tissue to promote the healing process. Fluid from the wound may build under the strips if you completely cover it. For years, people have believed that keeping wounds uncovered to let them air out helps them heal faster, however extensive research has proven this treatment to be untrue. DO NOT rub or scrub the wound. The fluid may make the strips peel. Many people also consider going for a tetanus shot at this point, if the scrape occurred with metal or anything rusty. Get a tetanus shot. In general, wounds can be either be classified as closed (where the skin stays intact) or open. The provider may suggest covering the wound with a plastic bag to keep it dry. It is important to change the dressing once it shows a … Covering the wound keeps it clean. Having a wound that requires a dressing does not mean that you can not swim. For years, people have believed that keeping wounds uncovered to let them air out helps them heal faster, however extensive research has proven this treatment to be untrue. As I left hospital, the nurses gave me some fresh dressings, and told me to change it daily, but they only gave me a few day's supply. Based on the type and severity of the wound, various dressings can be used to cover it.