How to look after your wound

Learning how to look after your wound yourself can feel overwhelming at first. To help guide your carers and you through the process, this page gives you a step-by-step look at what you need to do at each stage of caring for your wound.

Remember that even if you are looking after your wound at home, it is important to keep in touch with your nurse or healthcare practitioner to make sure your wound has the best chance to heal quickly. They will give you guidance about taking care of your wound properly and safely, while the resources on this page aim to help support you or your carer in changing your dressing safely when your nurse is not able to visit your home.

Prepare for your dressing change

To get started it is important to be prepared with all the materials you need to change your dressing.

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  Make sure you have a bag next to you to put your old dressing and gloves in (fasten a bag with tape to a table if possible).

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  On a clear, flat surface, set up an area to do the dressing change with the new dressing (still in its packet), your disposable gloves (you will need 2-3 pairs), hand sanitiser, gauze and any other items you may need. 

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  Your nurse may advise you to clean your wound in the shower if this is practical and safe. Alternatively, you can use a bowl of lukewarm tap water near your dressing change area. 

 

Change the dressing

Follow the steps to ensure that you change the dressing properly and safely. 

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  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially between fingers and palms of hands.

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  2. Important: Dry your hands with something clean. 

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  3. Put on disposable gloves or use hand sanitiser.

 

Remove the old dressing

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  1. Starting from the top of the dressing, hold your skin and peel the edge of the dressing away from the skin. Do it slowly and if needed use some lukewarm water to help the removal of the dressing. 

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  2. Once you remove the dressing place it together with the gloves into the bag. 

 

Clean the wound 

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  1. Use new disposable gloves.

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  2. If you are using lukewarm water, wet the gauze. Clean the surrounding skin first. 

 

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  3. Then take a new gauze and clean the wound. Clean from the inside to out. If you do the cleaning in the shower, shower the wound with lukewarm water and use gauze, if needed, to clean the wound and surrounding skin. 

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  4. When out of the shower, pat dry the surrounding skin carefully with gauze and put them into the bag. Look at the wound (does it look, smell or feel different? See tips on what to look out for below). You can also take a photograph to share with your nurse. 

   

 

Apply the new dressing

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  1. Wash your hands and put on a new pair of gloves or use the hand sanitiser. 

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  2. Remove the dressing from the packet and peel the protective cover from one half.

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  3. Place the side that had the protective cover on your wound and surrounding skin. 

 

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  4. Remove the other protective layer from the dressing and make sure the dressing pad covers the wound.

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  5. Check that the dressing is properly sealed then apply moisturisers/emollients to the surrounding skin if needed. 

   

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  6. Wash your hands. 

 

• How to apply the Mepitel 7.5x10 dressing on a wound.

• How to apply the Mepitel One dressing on a wound.

 

 

What do I need to know about my wound and its healing?

You may have many questions about looking after your wound and how you can help it heal. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions.

How often should I change my dressing?

• Leave your dressing in place for as long as possible, or as long as your nurse recommends. Normally a dressing is changed between 1 and 3 times a week.
  It will be necessary to change your dressing immediately in these situations.
• If fluid starts to leak out of the edge of the dressing.
• If the dressing peels off.

What should I look out for in caring for my wound?

If you notice any of the following, they are signs that your wound might be infected:

• It is more painful than normal.
• The amount of fluid increases significantly.
• The skin around your wound starts to swell and becomes red and fiery.
• If the smell from your wound gets worse.
• If there is excessive heat from/in your wound.

Other conditions that can affect wound healing are:

• If you see more yellow or new black tissue developing.

You should immediately contact your nurse if you see signs of infection.

What can I do that may help my wound to heal?

Wound healing is affected by a number of factors. You can play an active part in helping your wound to heal. Here are some steps you can take:

• Keep the wound moist to support and promote healing.
• Do not smoke.
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
• Exercise regularly within your own ability.
• Get regular sleep.

Your wound can take longer to heal for a variety of different reasons related both to your general health and the wound condition.

 

What do specialised wound dressings do? 

Specialised wound dressings can make a difference in your wound healing because they are designed to provide the protection and environment that supports healing. Some of these attributes include:

• Providing physical protection for your wound.
• Keeping the wound moist and preventing the dressing from causing pain and damage at removal.
• Staying on your wound longer to support wound healing.*
• Absorbing the fluid from your wound and preventing it from getting on your clothes.
• Being comfortable to wear.

* Depending on the condition of the wound and surrounding skin, or as indicated by clinical practice