Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Delayed Wound Closure
Delayed Wound Closure
Sometimes, your health care provider will delay closing a wound for several days. This is done when the wound is badly bruised or dirty, or when it has been several hours since the injury happened. By delaying the closure of your wound, the risk of infection may be reduced. Wounds that are closed in 3–7 days after being cleaned and bandaged (dressed) heal just as well as those that are closed right away.
Supplies needed:
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Wound cleanser, saline, or germ-free (sterile) water.
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Hand sanitizer.
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Clean bandages (dressing).
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Clean towel.
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Antibiotic ointment as told by your health care provider.
How to care for your wound
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Keep the wound clean and dry.
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Clean the wound one time each day, or as often as told by your health care provider. To clean your wound:
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Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after you change the dressing. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
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Clean the wound with wound cleanser, saline, or sterile water as told by your health care provider.
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Pat the outside of the wound dry with a clean towel. Do not rub the wound.
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Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the skin as told by your health care provider. This will help to prevent infection and keep the dressing from sticking to the wound.
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Apply a new dressing as told by your health care provider.
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The dressing covering the wound should be changed at least once per day, or as told by your health care provider. You should also change it if it becomes wet or soiled.
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Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Check for:
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Redness, swelling, or pain.
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Fluid or blood.
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Warmth.
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Pus or a bad smell.
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Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
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Take or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
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If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine or ointment, take or apply it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking or applying the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
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If you were prescribed pain medicine, take it 30 minutes before you do any wound care or as told by your health care provider.
Wound care tips
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If possible, raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down. This will help relieve pain and prevent swelling.
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Keep the wound clean and dry until it is closed by your health care provider. Do not soak or submerge the wound in water.
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Avoid stretching your wound.
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Do not scratch or pick at the wound.
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Have your wound checked as told by your health care provider.
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Cover your wound with clothing or apply sunscreen of at least 30 SPF whenever you are outside. This will help reduce scarring after your wound heals.
General instructions
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Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
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Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These products include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes. These may delay wound healing. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
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Keep all follow-up visits. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
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You received a tetanus shot and you have swelling, severe pain, redness, or bleeding at the injection site.
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You have new redness or color changes to the skin around your wound.
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You have fluid or blood coming from your wound.
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Your wound feels warm to the touch.
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You have a fever or chills.
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You notice something coming out of your wound, such as wood or glass.
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You have pain that does not get better with medicine.
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You need to change your dressing very frequently due to a lot of fluid, blood, or pus draining from the wound.
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You develop a new rash, swelling, or pain around your wound.
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You develop numbness around the wound.
Get help right away if:
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You develop severe swelling or a red streak around your wound.
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You have pus or a bad smell coming from your wound.
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Your pain is severe and suddenly gets worse.
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You develop painful lumps near your wound or anywhere on your body.
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Your wound is bleeding, and the bleeding does not stop with gentle pressure.
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The wound is on your hand or foot, and:
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Your fingers or toes look discolored or you cannot move them properly.
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You have numbness spreading down your hand, foot, fingers, or toes.
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These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
Summary
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Sometimes, your health care provider will delay closing a wound for several days. This is done when the wound is badly bruised or dirty, or when it has been several hours since the injury happened.
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Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound.
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The dressing covering the wound should be changed at least once per day, or as told by your health care provider. You should also change it if it becomes wet or soiled.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
