Not every little scrape or burn should send you to the emergency room in Statesboro, GA. If you have the right tools from Medical Center Pharmacy and an understanding of basic wound care, you can easily treat these injuries at home. There are a few things that everyone should know about basic first aid safely and effectively treat lacerations.

Basic Wound Care 101

1. Cleaning & Bandaging

Wounds need to be cleaned, disinfected, and bandaged to prevent infection. This should be done immediately after the injury. Clean a wound with lukewarm water and mild soap. This will remove most of the bacteria and dirt from the injury. If needed, apply pressure with gauze to stop bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, add a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the wound, then secure a bandage around it. The area should be cleaned, disinfected and re-bandaged twice daily until it heals.

2. Treating Burns

Before cleaning a burn wound, it needs to be cooled down to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Do not use ice, as this will stop blood flow to the area and cause more damage. Instead, immerse the burn in cool water or apply a cool compress for 15 to 20 minutes. It can then be cleaned and bandaged. An anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, can help further relieve pain and reduce swelling. It works best if the first dose is taken immediately after the burn. If a blister forms, do not pop it.

3. When to Get Help

Knowing when to have a doctor look at a wound is just as important as knowing how to treat simple wounds yourself. All deep, gaping, or uncontrollably bleeding wounds should receive a doctor’s attention immediately. They will likely require stitches. A burn with large blisters or that doesn’t heal after a few weeks also warrants a trip to the doctor. Also, visit the hospital if you see signs of infection after a couple of days — redness, swelling, pain, and oozing are signs of this issue.

Having the supplies you need is important for being prepared when there’s an injury. Visit Medical Center Pharmacy to stock up on all your wound care essentials, from gauze to your family members’ prescriptions. Their drugstore is open 364 days a year – every day except Christmas – for your convenience. You may also reach them at (912) 764-5643 to speak with a pharmacist.