Wound Care with Nurse Charlene Teloka

It’s the summer holidays and I hope all your kids are outside (without masks yay!) getting muddy, falling from trees and getting scraped knees….That’s so much better than sitting rivetted to a screen getting a Thumb sprain from a remote control or joystick!

But really, when is one of those cuts/scrapes serious? It’s been so long since we’ve been normal we may have forgotten! So here is Nurse Teloka to remind you how to treat minor wounds and when you need to see her. 

“Your skin is the largest organ in your body and as it covers such a large surface it’s not unusual to get an occasional scrape or cut.

Our skin is our first defense to infection and in just minutes after sustaining an injury the body starts healing itself.

However, larger or deeper wounds that may affect nerves, vessels, bones and tissue may become infected or take longer to heal or cause further damage or disability if not treated appropriately.

Minor cuts and scrapes may need only basic wound care at home.

This involves:

• Washing immediately and  thoroughly with clean water and mild soap, removing any debris.
• Gentle pressure to stop any bleeding

• Covering with a non-adhesive (a dressing that does not stick) dressing and secure with a bandage.
• Monitoring by cleaning twice a day with soap and water and covering until fully healed.

For Minor burn wounds: immediately run cool water over the area for 20 minutes.  If blisters form do not pop or drain. Do not apply butter or oil! Then come to see us for an assessment. 

But When do you need to see us anyway?

• Wounds on the face or reaching the bone even if only ¼ inch deep. 
• Deep wounds or gaping wounds when you can’t bring the edges together so you need stitches. We can stitch them here
• Animal or Human bite- to clean properly, asses for tetanus and need for antibiotics
• An injury caused by a rusty object, 
• People with Type 2 Diabetes especially if the wound involves the feet.
• If bleeding persists after 10mins and is heavy call 811.
• If you cannot feel or move the injured area. Call 811″

For More information on when to ask about Tetanus see our You Tube or IG channel