Chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine, hydrogen peroxide or mercromine? Advice from nurses to heal wounds and prevent them from becoming infected

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first aid for wounds

How to act before an injury?

Wash our hands with soap and water (if we can’t and we have clean gloves, use them)

Can tap water be used?

Yes, drinking tap water is an alternative to physiological serum

Washing with physiological serum is recommended (it is isotonic, physiological, sterile and does not interfere with the healing process)

Wash the wound area with plenty of soap and water.

Application of an antiseptic

Clorhexidina:

Has a more immediate, long-lasting effect

and superior bactericidal action

Povidone-iodine:

Contraindicated in pregnant, lactating,

newborns, people with problems of

thyroid or allergic to iodine

Well-known products such as “Peroxide”

(hydrogen peroxide) and “Mercromina” (derivatives

of mercury) are obsolete, they are not indicated

and its use should be avoided

How long should antiseptics be applied?

2-3 times a day or whenever the dressing is changed. Use for at least 24-48 hours and can be extended to 72 hours, until the appearance of granulation tissue, which is reddish tissue and indicates good evolution of the wound.

We will cover the wound with a clean dressing or gauze until the wound is healed (already closed) to avoid contamination.

The wound will gradually decrease in size and close, sometimes a harder film will appear on top of the wound (scab), it is important not to remove it, since it is protecting the new skin that is being formed

When should you check with

the referral nurse?

If you have green-yellow exudate, abundant exudate or a bad smell

In case of infection (when there is a tumor -inflammation-, flushing -redness- and heat)

If it does not evolve properly (it stagnates and the skin does not gradually close)

Severe pain that won’t go away

Fuente:

Spanish Nursing Research Institute of the General Nursing Council

ABC / CG. Simon

First aid

for the wounds

How to act before an injury?

Wash our hands with soap and water (if we can’t and we have clean gloves, use them)

Wash the wound area with plenty of soap and water.

Washing with physiological serum is recommended (it is isotonic, physiological, sterile and does not interfere with the healing process)

Can tap water be used?

Yes, drinking tap water is an alternative to physiological serum

Application of an antiseptic

Clorhexidina:

Has a more immediate, long-lasting effect

and superior bactericidal action

Povidone-iodine:

Contraindicated in pregnant women, infants, newborns, people with thyroid problems or allergic to iodine

Well-known products like

the “Peroxide”

(hydrogen peroxide) and “Mercromina” (derivatives

of mercury) are obsolete, not indicated and their use should be avoided

How long should antiseptics be applied?

2-3 times a day or whenever the dressing is changed. Use for at least 24-48 hours and can be extended to 72 hours, until the appearance of granulation tissue, which is reddish tissue and indicates good evolution of the wound.

We will cover the wound with a clean dressing or gauze until the wound is healed (already closed) to avoid contamination.

The wound will gradually decrease in size and close, sometimes a harder film will appear on top of the wound (scab), it is important not to remove it, since it is protecting the new skin that is being formed

When should you check with

the referral nurse?

In case of infection (when there is a tumor -inflammation-, flushing -redness- and heat)

If you have green-yellow exudate, abundant exudate or a bad smell

If it does not evolve properly (it stagnates and the skin does not gradually close)

Severe pain that won’t go away

Fuente:

Spanish Nursing Research Institute

of the General Nursing Council

ABC / CG. Simon

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