Cleaning Wounds with Alcohol and 5 Other Myths of Wound Healing

Wounds are cases that are in our day to day, regardless of whether we are more or less clumsy. It is very common to cut ourselves with a paper or while we are preparing food, although we can also stumble while running through the park. Most of these marks of war we do not give importance and we dedicate little healing time, but it is important that they heal correctly so that they do not become infected or leave a mark.

Here we are going to demystify several false beliefs that you thought were true because you have heard it from generation to generation.

Wound Healing

Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide is the best way to disinfect wounds

No friends. Let’s stop using hydrogen peroxide and alcohol as an option to keep the wound clean. Using these antiseptics is not the best option to eliminate microbes or bacteria, since we risk healing. Both substances can kill normal tissue and the cells that are responsible for healing the wound.
Therefore, it is normal that when you have poured alcohol, you have felt a great stinging and itching. Actually, the feeling is because the edges of the wounds are burning.

Experts assure that the best disinfectant is crystalline. You just have to apply this antiseptic on the skin and wait for it to heal. Alcohol should be left for material disinfection times or to “wash” your hands when soap and water are not available.

Using mud for a mosquito bite

Many times, especially in summer, mosquitoes take over our skin while we are in forests or beaches. There are those who think that mud is the best option to reduce the sting of the sting , but you should avoid it. It is appropriate that you clean the area with soap and water and apply cold (with ice or cold water) without coming into direct contact with the skin.
You already know that cold reduces inflammation and itchiness, so it is the best way to prevent the bite from going further.

The sooner the scab appears, the better

This is another belief that has been going around for years. When we were little it was very normal for scabs to appear after we had skinned our legs, and we thought it was a sign that the healing process was fast. Well, no. The Spanish Wound Society (SEHER) states that ” the scab is neither more nor less than the deposit of blood and dead tissue that, when dried, delays healing .”

That is, having a scab will make it more difficult for new skin cells to appear to cover the wound.

Sea water is perfect for wounds

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that ” sea and salt waters may contain microorganisms that can be pathogenic, including bacteria, protozoa and viruses .” I mean, nothing good for wounds. Sea water has been shown in several studies to worsen inflammation and burn healing.
However, we should not confuse with the benefits of water in people with dermatitis problems, since there are high doses of magnesium and iodine, ideal for this problem of the dermis.

Leave the wounds in the air so that they heal better

Sure you’ve heard that wounds are best not bandaged while healing, but this only slows down the healing process. According to SEHER, “it must remain covered and, if possible, with an anatomically adapted dressing in a moist environment .” This recommendation is based on studies showing that wounds heal faster in wet environments.

Furthermore, it is also not a good idea to expose damaged skin to the sun’s rays, as it can ” produce inflammation of the wounded area as well as negative consequences for healing .”