Minor Wounds

abrasions

• rubbing or friction applied to epidermal

• extends to uppermost portion of dermis

lacerations

• cuts or punctures

• result from sharp-edged object cutting through various skin layer

superficial (self-treat)

• involves only epidermis

• heal w/o scarring in 3-6days

superficial partial-thickness (self-treat)

• involves all of epidermis and superficial dermis

• break in skin

• heal w/ minimal scarring in 7-20 days

deep partial-thickness (refer on)

• extends deeper into dermis

• heal with scarring in more than 3 weeks

full thickness (refer on)

• involves epidermis and dermis

• may extend beyond skin into subcutaneous fat, tendon, muscle, bone

exclusions to self-treatment

• cuts longer than ½ inch

• cut continues to bleed after applying pressure for 10 minutes

• wound secondary to animal or human bite

• deep partial-thickness, full thickness

• signs of infection

• wound containing foreign matter after irrigation

• chronic wound

nonpharmacologic therapy - wound cleansing

irrigation w/ water (and soap)

nonpharmacologic dressings - gauze

• pads + rolls held by surgical tape or self-adherent wrap

examples:

• curad gauze roll

• band-aid gauze pads

nonpharmacologic dressings - adhensive bandages

variety of shapes and sizes

nonpharmacologic dressings - hydrocolloid dressings

• moist healing environment

• partial-thickness wounds w/ minimal exudate (little bit of fluid)

• absorbs exudate and forms gel

example:

• band-aid brand hydro seal bandages

nonpharmacologic dressings - transparent adhesive films

• waterproof polyurethane films

• flexible

examples:

• nextcare tegaderm waterproof transparent wound dressing bandage

nonpharmacologic dressings - liquid adhesive bandages

• alternative to conventional bandages

• spray or brush on liquid

  • forms clear, flexible coating over injury

• waterproof

• may stay on for 5 to 10 days

examples:

• new skin liquid bandage

• nexcare liquid bandage spray

minimize scarring - silicone therapy

• cause occulsion - hydration of scar tissue

• use only after injury has fully healed

Products:

• ScarAway Silicon Scar Sheets

  sheet - only for smaller areas or near joints

• ScarAway 100% Silicone Scar Gel

  gel - think layer, any size injury, near joint, on face

minimize scarring - mederma

• allantoin and onion extract (anti-inflammatory properties)

• not as effective as silicone therapy

pharmacologic therapy - systemic analgesics

• acetaminophen or NSAID (ibuprofen, naproxen)

• short-term

pharmacologic therapy also have

topical skin protectants, topical first aid antibiotics, topical anesthetics, topical first aid antiseptics

refer on when…

• increasing redness, pain, swelling that extends beyond the boundaries of initial wound

• no signs of healing or has worsened after 7 days