Skin injury cannot be adequately cleaned

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Skin injury cannot be adequately cleaned

Most cuts, bites, scrapes, and puncture wounds are minor, and home treatment is all that is needed to prevent infection and promote healing.

It may be difficult to remove dirt or other debris from a cut or to clean large or deep wounds. Gentle scrubbing under running water may be needed to clean the wound. If cleaning a wound causes too much pain, then you may not be able to adequately clean it at home. For more information, see how to clean a wound.

You may need to see your doctor about an injury if you have a wound that cannot be adequately cleaned with home treatment and you:

Have health risks that increase your risk of infection.
Need to have a health professional close your wound.
Need a tetanus shot.
Have other injuries.

When a cut is not adequately cleaned, infection, slow healing, and increased scarring are more likely to occur.

Credits

Author	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Updated	June 30, 2006

Last updated:	June 30, 2006
Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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