Delayed Wound Closure

What is 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 up and bandaged (dressed) heal just as well as those that are closed right away.

Supplies needed:

• Sterile water or irrigation solution.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Clean bandages (dressing).
• Clean towel.
• Antibiotic ointment.

How to care for your wound

Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound.

• Keep the wound clean and dry.
• Clean the wound one time each day, or as often as told by your health care provider. To clean your wound:
  1. Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  2. Clean the wound with sterile water or irrigation solution as told by your health care provider.
  3. Pat the outside of the wound dry with a clean towel. Do notrub the wound.
  4. 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.
  5. Apply a new dressing as told by your health care provider.
• 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.
• Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Check for:

• Redness, swelling, or pain.
• Fluid or blood
• Warmth.
• Pus or a bad smell.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine or ointment, take or apply it as told by your health care provider. Do notstop taking or applying the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

General instructions

• If possible, raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down. This will relieve pain and prevent swelling.
• Keep the wound clean and dry until it is closed by your health care provider. Do notsoak or submerge the wound in water.
• Avoid stretching your wound.
• Do not scratch or pick at the wound.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
• Have your wound checked as told by your health care provider.
• To help reduce scarring after your wound heals, cover your wound with clothing or apply sunscreen of at least 30 SPF whenever you are outside.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You received a tetanus shot and you have swelling, severe pain, redness, or bleeding at the injection site.
• You have redness, swelling, or pain around your wound.
• You have fluid or blood coming from your wound.
• Your wound feels warm to the touch.
• You have a fever.
• You notice something coming out of your wound, such as wood or glass.
• You have pain that does not get better with medicine.
• The skin near your wound changes color.
• You need to change your dressing very frequently due to a lot of fluid, blood, or pus draining from the wound.
• You develop a new rash.
• You develop numbness around the wound.

Get help right away if:

• You develop severe swelling around your wound.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your wound.
• Your pain is severe and suddenly gets worse.
• You develop painful lumps near your wound or anywhere on your body.
• You have a red streak going away from your wound.
• The wound is on your hand or foot, and:
  • You cannot properly move a finger or toe.
  • Your fingers or toes look pale or bluish.
  • You have numbness spreading down your hand, foot, fingers, or toes.

Summary

• 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.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound.
• The dressing covering the would 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.