First aid basics: Home remedies and treatments for different kinds of open wounds

Injuries like open wounds may not seem serious at first, but the potential complications that follow them could pose a risk to your health. In this situation, knowing the basics of first aid can help prevent potentially fatal health consequences. This article discusses the treatments and home remedies for a few types of open wounds.

Open wound treatments

An open wound is defined as an injury that involves a break in skin tissue that exposes the internal tissue to the external environment. Most people would have experienced having an open wound at some point in their lives. The causes of open wounds range from falls to even explosions. There are four types of open wounds, each differing based on how they are caused.

• Laceration. This refers to a deep cut or tearing in the skin, usually caused by accidents involving sharp objects like knives.
• Puncture. This type of wound is a small hole caused by a long, pointed object. Things like needles and nails are the prime suspects of most puncture wounds. In some cases, bullets cause puncture wounds, causing damage to internal organs and deep muscle.
• Avulsion. Avulsions are wounds that involve a partial or complete tearing of the skin and the tissue beneath it. These usually occur during violent accidents like car crashes or explosions.
• Abrasion. Injuries like a scraped knee or road rash are common examples of abrasion wounds. These occur when your skin scrapes against the surface of something hard or rough.

In any serious case of open wounds, you must immediately seek medical care. These situations usually include broken bones or excessive bleeding. However, most open wounds, specifically minor and acute ones, can be treated in the comfort of your own home using simple remedies anyone can get their hands on. Treating open wounds is important because leaving them unchecked can lead to unwanted health complications like tetanus.

Here are a few examples of simple home remedies that can help with wound treatment:

1. Aloe vera. This medicinal plant is part of the cactus family and contains a gel-like substance that is packed with vitamins and minerals that help cleanse the wound and promote healing. Aloe vera also contains anti-bacterial properties that prevent the growth of infection-causing bacteria. A systematic review published in the Iranian Journal of Medicinal Sciences analyzed 23 different studies and found that aloe vera contains a compound called glucomannan, which stimulates cell regeneration and collagen production.
2. Coconut oil. Applying coconut oil to a wound can promote healing due to its high concentration of a fatty acid called monolaurin, which is known for its antimicrobial effects. Coconut oil can also boost collagen production, which helps speed up the rate of wound healing.
3. Turmeric paste. Turmeric has been used for medicinal purposes for years due to an active ingredient called curcumin, which has potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. People can turn turmeric into a paste by mixing it with warm water then gently applying it on the wound before covering it with a bandage or gauze.
4. Colloidal silver. This is a popular alternative therapy that can be used as an effective treatment for all sorts of infections, especially with open wounds. Colloidal silver is known to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, all of which can promote wound healing and keep infections at bay. (Related: Colloidal silver gaining ground as a proven, effective antibiotic remedy.)

Whether you have major or minor open wounds, you need to take action quickly before things get too bad. Knowing these home remedies can help make treatment a breeze and reduce the risk of complications and infections. Read more articles on survival medicine at SurvivalMedicine.news.

Sources include:

MedicalNewsToday.com 1

MedicalNewsToday.com 2

Healthyy.net

Healthline.com

NCBI.NLM.NIH.com