For proper wound care, whether these are surgical, acute or chronic wounds, the following products and supplies are often a must:
- Bandages and dressings
- Gauze rolls
- Cotton balls
- Cotton-tipped applicators
- Alcohol pads
- Gauze sponges and non-woven sponges
- Medical tape
- Medical gloves
- Earloop face masks
Why supplies are always necessary
Wounds require regular and immediate care. This is to prevent infection and to aid the healing process, which includes the following predictable stages:
- Inflammatory (preventing blood loss, building a clot, expanding blood vessels)
- Fibroblastic (collagen growing within the wound)
- Maturation (more collagen and scars start to fade)
The human body goes through a natural healing process. Our job is to make it easier for the body to heal itself and go through those stages normally. We can do this by covering and protecting the wound, preventing infection and making sure that the supplies we use are always clean and appropriate.
However, this can be a huge challenge in dealing with chronic wounds, which can be caused by the following:
- Diabetes and other underlying medical conditions
- Infected incisions after a surgery
- Bed sores and other pressure injuries as a result of lack of mobility
- Deep burns
These causes and conditions can interfere with the body’s natural healing process. For example, diabetes can cause slower blood circulation and reduced tissue oxygenation. Another example is about bed sores that resulted from localised pressure and lack of mobility, which cause poor blood circulation and slower healing.
Those types of wounds might require ongoing care and treatment, which is why it’s essential to have the necessary supplies always ready. This way, we can always prevent further infection and other complications. This can also help the patient feel a bit more comfortable.
Other tips for proper wound care
Aside from appropriate care and availability of the needed supplies, it also helps to practice the following:
- Manage diabetes and other chronic medical condition
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet (especially those with vitamin C)
- Exercise (this can be a challenge though for those with a disability)
In other words, still try to maintain a healthy lifestyle (or adopt a healthier one) if you want your wounds to heal faster. But if there’s fever, unusual bleeding, increased pain or discharge from the wound, consult a doctor right away. Also, consult a specialist when it comes to adopting a healthy lifestyle if you have a disability or having physical restrictions.
