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What Should Be Used to Wash Out an Open Wound?

When dealing with open wounds the goal is two-fold: to stop the loss of blood and to stabilize the injury. After you've done that, you''ll need to prevent infection by washing out your open wound. For purposes of this article we will consider all open wounds to be relatively superficial and not life-threatening. Health professionals are the only ones qualified to treat major cuts in the flesh. Below are some tips on what to use to wash out an open wound.

  1. Soap and Water

    • While all the approved liquid solutions used to wash open wounds contain mostly water, it is not considered sterile enough to be applied medicinally. Actually washing an open wound out with water may contribute to rapid blood loss. Once you've applied direct pressure to stop the bleeding, flushing with water may act to thin the blood, causing it to hemorrhage again. Water accompanied with mild soap will help temporarily until more professional means are available.

    Saline Solution

    • A saline solution (primarily sodium chloride) medically speaking is a water/salt mixture comparable to the salt content of the human body. Because the amount a person needs can vary based upon body size, weight, and other factors, it is best administered only by a health professional. Saline is effective in an open wound because of a quality called osmotic pressure, which means the salt content literally drains bacteria of water, causing germs to die. Rubbing salt in a wound is a euphemism, but also true in that the salinity helps to fight against infection.

    Antibacterial Cleanser

    • While antibacterial is a catch-all phrase, the medicinal benefit in most products that use the term is tied to the antiseptic qualities. Antiseptics work to disinfect and treat inflammation. Common antiseptics include alcohol, boric acid and hydrogen peroxide. While using any of these chemicals in concentrated form is harmful in itself, antibacterial soaps and solutions contain diluted amounts, which can be safely used on an open wound. An antibacterial cleanser--minus the fragrances and aroma chemicals--is recommended over normal soap because the gauze-like texture of the ointment has the viscosity to help slow bleeding.

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