Wound Care at Home – Your Guide To Take Care Of Your Family

As a result of the quarantine imposed by the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been able to feel comfortable in our own homes.

Nonetheless, care must be taken, even at home. It means preparing for inevitable minor injuries at home such as paper cuts, burns or cuts as you work in the kitchen or grazing your knee as you play hide and seek in the family room. You must make sure you look after your family and yourself; stay calm, clean your wounds, cover them, and carry on. You can take care of wounds at home quickly and effectively by following basic first aid.

1. Clean: The first step to optimal wound healing is to clean the wound. Removing dirt, bacteria, and visible particles from the wound is important to prevent infections.
2. Protect: In order to allow undisturbed wound healing, your wound must be protected from dirt and bacteria. Use wound plasters to cover wounds.
3. Heal: Change the wound plaster daily to ensure that the wound is well protected and to promote faster healing.

A wound care routine like this would help you provide basic first aid at home for minor injuries. However, have you taken into account the specific safety concerns posed by the different rooms? The couch, the kitchen or the kids' imaginary castle in the playroom? Different injuries require different care. You need to be aware of all the treatments available, so you're safe in every room.

 

During quarantine, living rooms have become the centre of our lives. It has changed from a space of relaxation to a space where we spend most of our day. The living room now hosts work from home meetings and kids’ playtime too! Watching movies and listening to records aren't exactly extreme sports, but even while you're taking it easy, little mishaps can happen. Some minor cuts and grazes are inevitable, so keep a well-stocked first aid kit at home to deal with these mishaps. 

 

Nothing brings people together like food does! The family really comes together around food when they are in the kitchen. In addition to the fun and games, the smiles and stories, someone is probably trying to concentrate on cooking, which means heat, sharp edges, slippery surfaces, and maybe even some alcohol – just for the recipe! Simply put, accidents do not occur with a warning. Even with all your care, you may find yourself crying over spilt milk. You can, however, be prepared to stay safe and enjoy some family time.

In the kitchen, you'll need first aid tips & treatments that can handle all the water and steam, and cutting and stirring so that you can focus on the food rather than your wound. Kitchen wounds require a truly kitchen-proof treatment due to the moisture and movement inherent in the process.

• Spot Plasters are ideal for smaller nicks, so you can work hard and they'll stay in place without restricting your movement
• Washproof Plasters are waterproof, so you can wash the ingredients and your hands while they hold on to your wound and keep it free from infection

In the case of minor burns, follow these simple steps:

• Immerse the affected area in a tub of cool water
• You can use a cold compress if the burn is in an awkward spot
• Once the immediate pain subsides, apply some petroleum jelly
• Cover the burn with an appropriate plaster

Do not try remedies such as applying toothpaste or butter as these do not work as burn treatment. If the burn is severe, visit a doctor immediately, do not attempt to treat it at home. 

 

Quality time with your family is just what you might need to get through the hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kids play all around the house and spend a great time of the day in their rooms where they might get into little accidents. It would be a shame to let a silly little accident like a grazed knee from stepping on a lego block or a finger trapped in the study drawer ruin all the fun.

But don’t worry, your children can get back to their fun with the help of proper wound care. Wound Plasters can be used to treat a wide range of wounds and they are available in multiple sizes. Based on the nature of the injury you can select between using a spot, patch or regular wound plaster.

Home may seem like the perfect place to kick back and relax. Quarantine, however, brings with it a range of new challenges, especially if small accidents get in the way of your DIY plans or cooking practice. We are here to help with injuries of all sizes so you can focus on your everyday life, not on your wounds.

Dr. Bharucha holds a rich 37-year experience as a Senior Instructor and Master Trainer certified by HSSC, ITLS (USA), and the American Heart Association, while also serving as the Director of the Lifesupporters Institute of Health Sciences in Mumbai.