How do I Cleanse Wounds With Water?

Water is one of the best substances to use on an open wound, as other strong solutions such as hydrogen peroxide and alcohol could actually irritate the wound. Some solutions can also kill the white blood cells that gather at the site of the wound naturally and aid in the healing process. A recent study by the Cochrane Researchers proved that there was no significant difference between using tap water or other types of water. The study showed that the salt present in saline water can actually wash away healthy growth promoters and infection fighting white blood cells slowing the body's natural process of healing.

Things You'll Need

• Tap water or distilled water
• Medical gloves
• Sponge
• Washcloth
• Tweezers
• Bandage
• Gauze

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Instructions

• 1

  Make sure the wound is a minor wound and not a large cut or burn that needs immediate care by a physician or doctor.

• 2

  Wearing medical gloves ensures better hygiene throughout the whole process.

  Wear gloves. This is important especially when cleaning someone else's wound. Without gloves, the bacteria on your hand could transfer to the wounded area and cause infection or other problems.

• 3

  A sponge can be used to aid the cleaning process.

  Use cold tap water to wash off dirt and debris from the wound's surface. Place the wound under the running water and gently cleanse the wound. You can use a wash cloth or sponge to very gently scrub the area and make sure it is cleansed thoroughly.

• 4

  Tweezers can be used to lift away any remaining dirt particles.

  Check to see if there are any other signs of left away debris. At this point, you can use clean tweezers if needed to lift away anything that wasn't cleaned by the water.

• 5

  Gauze is used to help secure the wound after washing.

  Apply a bandage to the area if necessary to stop the bleeding or to keep it moist in the case of a scrape to reduce scaring. This is also important when the wound is in an area that could get dirty easily or has chances of getting irritated by clothing like your hand or knee. You can also use gauze and wrap it gently around the wounded surface. Make sure to change the bandage or the gauze every other day or so until you see that it is not needed any more.