Should I be airing my wound out or protecting it with a band-aid?

Question

I fell today and scraped up my right knee pretty good. I think there's like a large scab starting to form about the size of a half-dollar (it's a big dark brown spot, and the cut itself isn't that deep). I cleaned it with an antiseptic wipe and put some bandaids over it, but then the wound started leaking this sticky stuff, so i had to take the bandaids off. Should I be keeping the bandaids off and letting the wound air out? i dont want it to get irritated by my pants either though.

Answer 1

Let it air out at night but put a bandaid on during the day so it doesn't rub on your pants or clothes.

Answer 2

Having fixed a lot of scraped knees including my own, the first thing to do is make sure , all gravel is out, as any dirt really messes the healing process.
Tried the airing out and the cover with non stick dressing. Believe me, the later one is best. It is so easy to rescrape the wound on your own clothing, tables and chairs, and virtually anything. It is amazing how we take all of this punishment for granted when skin is intact and unbroken. We kneel, we put on tight jeans etc.

Band aids may be too small so go to your local drugstore and buy wound dressings. The padding on this type of band aids (bigger) is more substantial so it absorbs secretions from the healing wound. The best thing about it is that it never sticks to the wound especially if the wound is large.

Answer 3

The first thing to do with a wound like this is decontaminate it. That means wiping as much of the dirt and grime off as you can. This can be done in the shower with soapy water.

After that you want to keep the wound slightly moistened...it should look like you just stepped out of the shower. Keep it moist with triple antibiotic ointment. When you are wearing clothes that cover it, place a telfa (non stick) pad over it with a little tape. When it is not covered keep it out of the sun, so the scar heals without dark pigment.

Answer 4

Thatv sticky stuff is puss it may well be infected use some more antiseptic and altjough the wound to dry keep it from getting wet and if it gets worse or your not seeing any healing get it checked out. Also consider putting some type of ointment like polysporin or neosporin this will speed healing as well as keep the scar from getting to bad. It will also keep dirt and grime from getting into the wound allowing the wound to get some air helps healing so yes it is okay to do this.

Answer 5

first of all clean it out really well because it sounds like its infected, then apply neosporin or something of that sort (it will help the scrape heal faster, kill bacteria and minimize the scar), while at home try to leave it uncovered it will heal faster that way as long as you are careful not to scrape it again, if going out put on a bandaid or it possible gauze with medical tape works the best. and if it dosent look like its healing in about a week than get it checked out, go to your doctor not the emergency room.

Answer 6

Remove the band aid and apply neosphorin, than apply a new band-aid. The neosphorin helps kill germs, and less scarring. When staying home, losen the band aid and air the wound out. Keep the band aid on until your scabs peel off, keeps the germs out and infections. Don't worry about the sticky stuff its part of your body's healing process.

Answer 7

Put some honey or aloe vera Iif you have an alo vera plant) on the wound. Both of these can be used as a salve to kill bacteria and prevent infection.