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What are the Different Types of Wound Ointment?
There are several products available on the market specifically formulated to care for injuries to the skin. These are designed to treat wounds and prevent infection. Some treatments that come in the form of wound ointment include antibacterial creams made to fight infection or decrease pain. A pain-relieving wound ointment might otherwise be called an analgesic ointment. Vitamin-enriched creams are another popular choice.
Wound treatment will typically begin by cleaning the area with soapy water to flush out dirt, debris and germs. In many cases, when applying a sterile bandage is not sufficient, the individual may wish to apply ointment to the injury site. This is used to help in speeding up the process of wound healing. A type of cream or ointment containing anti-bacterial properties works to kill germs on the surface of the skin, thus preventing bacteria from entering the body and circulating through the bloodstream.
A popular method of wound care might come in the form of homemade ointment, creams, or natural ointment products. These might include herbal remedies in a mixture that is applied directly to the skin. Homeopathic ointment treatments are favored by individuals who prefer having control over what ingredients are being used in their preparations. Homemade salves and creams can be formulated by mixing oils and herbs together.
To treat a burn, there are wound ointment options available for purchase at most pharmacies and stores. In most cases, a burn ointment will be packaged in a small tube or occasionally in a jar. These will typically incorporate an antibacterial ingredient as well.
It is not uncommon to find a healing ointment that contains a vitamin-enriched foundation as its key ingredients. Vitamin E as well as vitamins A and D are sometimes used in a cream-base solution. They are generally formulated in ointment form to promote natural skin healing from scrapes, cuts and burns. Zinc ointments are another option that can be found as a wound ointment treatment.
There are other types of ointments or creams that are typically applied to wounds which might not be as commonly used, although they are still considered effective. One such product might contain aloe vera extract. Alternately, if the individual does not wish to apply aloe in a cream-based product, it can be found in health stores in gel form. Other wound ointments are those that are cortisone-based. Cortisone is an ingredient said to help decrease inflammation, although some reports have stated it might also help to prevent infection.
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![Antibiotic ointment should be applied to a wound to help prevent infection.]()
By: TingaAntibiotic ointment should be applied to a wound to help prevent infection. -
![Aloe vera gel is sometimes used to speed wound healing.]()
By: cedrovAloe vera gel is sometimes used to speed wound healing. -
![Cleaning the wound with soap and water is the first step in promoting healing.]()
By: samantha grandyCleaning the wound with soap and water is the first step in promoting healing. -
![Large or severe cuts or burns should be assessed by a doctor before ointment is applied.]()
By: MagaliceLarge or severe cuts or burns should be assessed by a doctor before ointment is applied. -
![Antibacterial creams reduce pain and prevent infection.]()
By: 2xSamara.comAntibacterial creams reduce pain and prevent infection. -
![Wound ointment can be applied to a wound using a sterile dressing, then secured with a white bandage.]()
By: casanoweWound ointment can be applied to a wound using a sterile dressing, then secured with a white bandage. -
![Immediate cleaning and bandaging of cuts will help prevent staph infection.]()
By: ia_64Immediate cleaning and bandaging of cuts will help prevent staph infection.
Discussion Comments
For those of you that get blisters on the backs of your heels a good option if it breaks open is to use a pain-relieving ointment and some of the bandages made especially for your feet.
The bandages for the backs of your heels look like little pillows and are great for preventing additional damage to your skin. I always carry a few on me, especially when I am breaking in a new pair of shoes. Nothing is worse than going for a long walk and ending up injured without anything to soothe the pain.
Oh yes, and if you are not sure about which brand of pain-relieving ointment to buy, just ask your doctor. Last time I did this I got a free sample.
A good idea if you have kids is to always carry a first aid kit that has some kind of wound ointment in it. I have a fairly well-stocked first aid kit and I like to keep something in it with anti-bacterial properties, as well as lots of bandages and even some paper stitches for more serious tumbles.
Whatever you do though, don't buy that spray stuff that some schools have to put on wounds. It hurts like crazy. My kids have told me that the school nurse is pretty mean because the stuff she uses on their cuts stings like crazy. They much prefer the gel I use because it doesn't hurt. I can't wait for the age when my kids aren't so accident prone and stop play-fighting.
With a houseful of kids it seems like someone is always getting a cut, scrape or burn. I always make sure I have first aid ointment around.
I have gotten in the habit of keeping some in every bathroom so I know there is always at least one tube around.
There are many different kinds you can buy, but I like to buy the ones that have antibiotics in them. I think this helps speed up the healing process.
I am a beekeeper and am fascinated by the honeybees and all the things that honey is good for.
Not only is this a sweet treat, but honey is also used to treat wounds. Using honey for wounds and burns is something that has been done for many years. Since honey works as a natural antibiotic, this makes sense to me.
I will put a few drops of honey on a wound as soon as I can. If I get stung while I am working my bees, I also apply it to bee stings.
There are many good ointments out there a person can use, but if you have a bottle of honey sitting in your cupboard, you might want to give it a try.
Some people don't take cuts very seriously, but if you ever had a deep cut infected, you know how painful it can be.
I have had this happen when I ignored my cut and did absolutely nothing to treat it. Not only did it not heal for a very long time, but it also got infected because it was where my finger bends and bled repeatedly because of that.
I finally went to the doctor who cleaned the cut, applied an antibiotic ointment and put a little plastic so that I wouldn't bend my finger.
Ever since this incident, whenever I get a cut, I wash with soapy water, apply an antibiotic ointment and put a band aid. After the cut closes, I then use an ointment with vitamin E or aloe vera to prevent scarring. I use aloe vera creme for scars and aloe vera gel for burns. Vitamin E is also really good for the skin and prevents scarring after a wound.
@zsazsa56 - I agree, using a cream really helps. And in my experience there is no need to buy the name brand stuff. The generic versions work just as well. I have been using a drugstore brand of triple antibiotic ointment for years and it works great.
I have always been kind of skeptical of over the counter medicines. I think in most cases they just do what the body does naturally. I was especially skeptical of creams like neosporin that claim to help wounds and cuts heal faster.
But then I got a job working in a sheet metal factory and I regularly got cuts, scratches and nicks all over my hands and arms. At first I would just wash them and maybe put on a bandage. Then my wife insisted I start using some kind of medicine so I started using a generic neosporin. No joke, my cuts healed up much faster after that and they didn't hurt for as long either. Now I am a believer. Do your self a favor and just use some medicine.
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