5 Most Common Wound Care Myths You Shouldn't Believe

Children are very active and spontaneous. No matter how hard you try as a parent to protect your children from getting hurt, somehow they are bound to get hurt at home or when they are out and about playing in the playground. Children love to run, climb and jump...and therefore, they fall a lot too! Small cuts on fingers, knees, elbows and hands, bruises, grazes, and abrasions are one of the most common of everyday childhood injuries. Although pediatric home injuries are very common, some of us may know very little about the proper treatment to care these types of wounds. In fact, many parents tend to make unnecessary mistakes when treating and taking care of their children's (often painful) wounds because they believe in some outdated notions or simply do not know the correct way of treating wounds. Did you know that even minor wounds can get infected if the wounds are not treated the right way? Debunking 5 Most Common and Persistent Myths about Wound Care Image credit: xframe.io Proper wound care is essential for healing wounds of all shapes and sizes. Before embarking on a wound care treatment at home, it is important to check the myths and facts related to wound care to better relieve pain, avoid infections and support faster and safer wound healing process. Therefore, mummies, let's dispel some of the most common myths, put wrong claims about wound care to rest, and learn more about correct practice of wound care! Myth #1: Small wounds do not need to be treated Fact: We should not play down on small wounds. It may be small but if not treated, it may create infections and more complicated health problems. Remember that bacteria can enter our body even through the smallest pinprick! Always treat any wound with proper care, no matter how small it may be. Taking easy-to-do steps, such as putting on a plaster on the wound, can be effective in protecting the wound from infections. If you suspect a wound has become infected, see your physician. Myth #2: It is sufficient to clean wounds with tap water Fact: Cleaning wound with tap water is something that we regularly do. However, the use of tap water is debated. Tap water is not necessarily bacteria-free, which can increase the risk of infections. In fact, tap water and moisture can cause the skin to swell and this can impair wound healing. A clean and cleansed wound is the first step to optimal wound healing. Cleanse your wound from dirt, bacteria and visible particles with an antiseptic solution such as the Hansaplast Wound Spray to prevent infections. Myth #3: Alcohol cleans and disinfect wounds best Fact: Alcohol is not a good choice for treating wounds especially children's wounds. Alcohol gives burning sensation on skin when applied thus it is not suitable for children's and sensitive skin. Also, it can harm the newly formed tissue and slow down the healing process. As alcohol can be harsh on the wound site and surrounding area, it is vital to clean and treat wounds with an appropriate wound cleansing product such as Hansaplast wound spray. Myth #4: Wounds need to breathe or be exposed to air to heal faster Image credit: Pexels Fact: Wounds need a moist and warm environment for optimal healing and reduced rates of infections. Besides, by leaving the wound uncovered, it is exposed to dirt, bacteria and other external influences which increases the risk of infections. Not to mention, when a wound is not covered, it has higher chance of being knocked, rubbed or scraped again. These unwanted and unexpected occasions may interrupt healing and even cause bleeding. Protect the wound from external influences like dirt and bacteria to enable an undisturbed healing. Upon cleaning the wound, cover the wound with a plaster or sterile wound dressing from Hansaplast. Myth #5: Crust is a good sign of healing Fact: In a moist environment, scabs are prevented. If wounds heal without scabs, the formation of new tissue remain undisturbed, decreasing the likelihood of scarring. Wounds that are left to dry in air will always create scabs, which make it hard for the wound to close itself as under dry conditions, new skin tissue will have a tough time forming. You should not scratch scabs or pick up at scab as doing this may reopen the wound, introduce bacteria and potentially create a larger scar. Cleanse, Protect & Heal: The 3 Steps of Recommended Wound Care Treatment Whether it’s a small cut on the finger or abrasions on the knee, wounds are part of child's everyday life. Many parents, however, do not know if they are doing the right thing when treating their child's wound. Fortunately, a good wound care doesn’t have to be complicated! Depending on their type, size and location, most wounds can be treated easily at home. Here’s the recommended easy wound management steps that any parent needs to know: 1. Cleanse: The 1st step for optimal wound healing. Image credit: Hansaplast Minor wounds can become infected if they are not properly cleansed from the get-go. Cleansing the wound is an essential first step for optimal healing and it is recommended for all types of wounds. Image credit: Hansaplast Hansaplast Wound Spray is an easy-to-use antiseptic spray for cleansing minor acute wounds such as cuts, abrasions, first and minor second-degree burns and open blisters, by mechanical irrigation. Hansaplast Wound Spray offers fast and pain-free application1 as it is free of alcohol and does not cause stinging during application or dry the skin. Its colourless solution does not stain clothes and very skin friendly hence suitable for children and sensitive skin. What's more, Hansaplast Wound Spray works well at any angle, ideal for on-the-go first aid, sports and outdoor activities, too! 2. Protect wounds from external contamination Image credit: Hansaplast Protect the wound from external influences like dirt and bacteria to enable an undisturbed healing. Upon cleaning the wound, cover the wound with a plaster or sterile wound dressing from Hansaplast. Hansaplast plasters block 99% of dirt and bacteria* to reduce the risk of infection and enable rapid, natural healing. Image credit: Hansaplast Hansaplast has recently introduced a new plaster specially developed for gentleness on children’s sensitive skin and easy, painless removal. Hansaplast KIDS SENSITIVE plaster strips are extra skin friendly and suitable for covering all types of smaller wounds. The comfortable material is hypoallergenic, dermatologically approved and flexible, making it safe to be applied on children! Moreover, the non-stick wound pad protects and cushions the wound. The secure and skin friendly adhesion ensures that the plaster stays in place but is painless to remove. Choose from a wide range of Hansaplast plasters that best suit your needs. Remember to change the plaster daily for hygienic reasons! 3. Heal wounds fast and with a lower risk of scars Image credit: Hansaplast A moist healing environment has been clinically proven to aid and speed up the natural wound healing process. Hansaplast Wound Healing Ointment supports and speeds up the natural healing of minor superficial wounds like cuts, abrasions, scratches, minor burns and cracked skin. It can be used at any stage of the healing process on superficial open wounds and damaged skin. Hansaplast Wound Healing Ointment creates a breathable film that protects the wound from external influences while preventing the wound from drying out. This attribute is clinically proven to promote up to 2X faster wound healing** and reduce the risk of scarring. In addition, Hansaplast Wound Healing Ointment is very skin friendly, free of colorants, fragrances, preservatives and animal derived substances. Its gentle formula is dermatologically tested* and is suitable for babies, children and sensitive skin. Apply Hansaplast Wound Healing Ointment regularly until the wound has healed completely. Image credit: Hansaplast Include Hansaplast in Your First Aid Kit at Home Today! Image credit: Hansaplast As a parent of young children, knowing the basic knowledge of minor wound treatment and having a first aid kit handy at a moment’s notice at home are essential! With almost 100 years of expertise in wound care, Hansaplast offers all of the first aid products you need to treat minor wounds on your kids at home. With this in mind, do not forget to keep Hansaplast products as part of your first aid box at home. Get Hansaplast products now at Guardian, Watsons, Caring and selected Independent Pharmacies nationwide. More good news for you! From 1-30 September 2021, you can redeem RM5 TNG eWallet Reload Pin with minimum purchase of RM20 and above of Hansaplast products in a single receipt in participating pharmacies. Limited to the first 500 redemptions only***, so you better act fast to grab this offer! ***Terms and conditions apply *Hansaplast plasters protect against dirt & bacteria **Hansaplast wound healing ointment heals up to 2x faster compared to an untreated wound 195% of test users agree* *PMCF-Study, 95% agreement „Wound Spray is pain-free to use”, n59, Freese R, physician, principal investigator, Hamburg, 2019 Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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