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Properly caring for a wound from the very moment it occurs is imperative for proper healing. The makers of Johnson & Johnson RED CROSS^® Brand products recommend the following three step process for wound care.

Clean

Proper cleansing helps prevent infection and promotes the best possible healing.

• Wash your hands thoroughly when touching a cut or scrape.
• If you are caring for a wound that is not yours, make sure to use gloves to protect against disease transmission.
• Stop bleeding by applying pressure to the cut or scrape.
• Clean cuts and scrapes with mild soap and water. Pat dry with a sterile gauze pad.

Treat

Antibiotic ointments can help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. Follow your physician’s instructions and the directions on packaging when applying any antibiotic ointment.

Keep an eye out for signs of infection until a cut, scrape, or burn is completely healed. These signs include:

• Tenderness
• Redness
• Swollen glands
• Swelling around the wound
• Red streaks leading from the wound
• Throbbing pain
• Pus
• Fever

If any of these signs appear, call your doctor immediately.

Protect

Follow these signs for properly protecting cuts, scrapes, and burns:

• Cover the injured area completely with a gauze pad or non-stick pad.
• Use first aid tape to firmly secure the pad on all four sides and to help seal out dirt and germs.
• Keep the wound covered and change bandages as directed by your doctor.
• In some instances, adhesive pads such as Johnson & Johnson RED CROSS^® Brand TOUGH PADS™ can provide greater convenience and superior benefits to using a separate cover and tape

Keeping a wound protected and covered is extremely important. For years, people have believed that keeping wounds uncovered to let them air out helps them heal faster, however extensive research has proven this belief untrue. It is very important to clean, treat, and protect a wound as quickly as possible and here is why…

A covered wound...

• Heals free of dry exudates

  Sterile wound covers like Johnson & Johnson RED CROSS^® Brand Waterproof Pads absorb excessive wound's fluids. Skin cells are able to migrate without the interference of a scab—to form new, smooth tissue.

• Has less chance of getting infected

  Sterile wound covers like Johnson & Johnson RED CROSS^® Brand TOUGH PADS™ help prevent exposure to water, dirt, and germs.

• Enjoys superior protection

  The extra cushioning provided by wound covers protects wounds from re-injury until they are completely healed. For extra cushioning and protection, place Johnson & Johnson RED CROSS^® Brand Hospital Grade Gauze Pads over a cleaned wound, wrap Johnson & Johnson RED CROSS^® Brand Hospital Grade Rolled Gauze over the gauze pads, and secure in place with Johnson & Johnson RED CROSS^® Brand Tape.

An uncovered wound...

• Dries out and forms a scab

  Scabs impede the healing process by creating a barrier between healthy skin cells. The cells have to work their way under the scab in order to form new tissue and heal.

• Has a greater chance of scarring

  Scabs formed from leaving a wound uncovered often result in unwanted scars.

• Has a greater chance of re-injury

  When the body forms a scab, it’s nature’s way of protecting against germs. However, scabs can be scratched or torn, causing re-injury that prolongs healing.