Wound care

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Thanks to the healing process of the body, most simple wounds heal without complications. The aim of treatment is to avoid infection and pain whilst healing takes place. You should look after your wound carefully so that it does not get infected, as this will delay healing. For further information regarding Cat and Dog bites go to (other information regarding other types of bites can also be found here): https://patient.info/treatment-medication/dog-and-cat-bites

You should:
• Keep the wound and dressing clean and dry
• Rest with your injured part in an elevated position to ease any pain or discomfort you may feel at first
• Take medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve the pain. Both are available from a chemist. Please take these according to the manufacturer’s instructions
• If your dressing needs to be changed it may be a good idea to take a painkiller beforehand
• Ensure that your tetanus cover is up to date. If your tetanus injection was over 10 years ago please discuss this with your GP
• Keep any appointments that have been made for you.
• Be sure to follow the advice of the nurse who treated you in the Emergency Department

You should not:
• Remove the dressing unless instructed to do so. If it does fall off or get wet, please arrange for the nurse at your GP surgery to review the wound and apply a new dressing. If your GP surgery is closed, the Urgent Care Centre can be contacted on 01908 303030 or alternatively call NHS 111. If you can’t do this, you can go to your nearest Emergency Department (ED) to have it dressed again, but because this won’t be an emergency, you will have to wait to be treated. If you develop an infection or feel unwell you should seek urgent advice from your GP or Emergency Department.

The signs of infection are:
• Increasing redness around the wound
• Increasing pain
• Temperature (fever)
• Pus or smelly discharge
• Red lines running from the wound site

If you have any further queries, please contact:
• Emergency Department: 01908 995 913 ext. 2409 between 9am and 10 pm
• Hospital switchboard: 01908 660033 between 10pm and 9am
• NHS 111
• Your GP surgery