How Do I Heal a Wound Fast?

Cuts and scrapes can often make for unsightly wounds and scars. To help speed up healing time and prevent scarring, you may want to consider a wide variety of home remedies. Aromatherapy and supplements can help you heal quickly as well. However, it's important to call your doctor at the first sign of infection.

Remedies for Quick Healing

• To help your wound heal quickly, make sure you wash it well with plain soap and water. Rinse the wound excessively to make sure you get rid of any excess debris that could cause an infection or scarring. Though you may think that using a solution that stings, such as alcohol, will help kill all of the germs, these solutions actually irritate the wound and kill healthy cells surrounding the wound. Instead, opt for an antibiotic cream to prevent infection, such as Neosporin or Bacitracin.

  After applying an antibiotic cream, cover the wound to keep it moist. If your wound is located in a spot that moves a lot (like your elbows or knees), keep the area immobile, as excessive movement could cause the wound to open and slow healing time.

  Aromatherapy is another approach to help quickly heal your wound. Valerie Ann Worwood, author of "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy," says to add five drops of lavender and two drops of tea tree oil to two cups of water. Bathe the affected area with the essential oil solution. In addition, place three drops of lavender oil on a piece of gauze and place it over the cut---or apply a band-aid. Change the gauze and add fresh oil twice a day for two days. On the third day, expose the wound to air.

Supplements to Consider

• To repair your damaged tissue, make sure you're eating at least 45 grams of protein daily. In addition, take at least 10,000 IU of Vitamin A a day, which helps your body heal quickly. Take Vitamin A with food that contains some fat to help it properly absorb. Zinc also helps in the healing process---make sure you get 12 milligrams of zinc daily.

When to See a Doctor

• For smaller wounds, you'll probably find the quickest relief from home remedies; however, contact your doctor or health care provider if, after four or five days, your wound is still red and/or painful. You could have an infection. Your wound might be infected if it's draining pus, is very painful, or appears extremely red and inflamed. If you're currently on steroid medications, be advised that they suppress your immune system, which could leave you susceptible to infection.