How do you heal a wide wound?

Treat the wound with antibiotics: After cleaning the wound, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. Close and dress the wound: Closing clean wounds helps promote faster healing. Waterproof bandages and gauze work well for minor wounds. Deep open wounds may require stitches or staples.

What is the most common injury for the rib cage?

Flail chest is the most common serious injury to the ribs. It occurs when three or more ribs are broken in at least two places, front and back.

How do you treat a swollen rib?

Do

1. take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – avoid taking ibuprofen for 48 hours after your injury as it may slow down healing.
2. hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas in a tea towel) to the affected ribs regularly in the first few days to bring down swelling.
3. rest and take time off work if you need to.

How do nurses care for wounds?

Topical therapy: Eight key objectives

1. Prevent and manage infection.
2. Cleanse the wound.
3. Debride the wound.
4. Maintain appropriate moisture in the wound.
5. Eliminate dead space.
6. Control odor.
7. Manage wound pain.
8. Protect periwound skin.

What is wound care nursing?

Wound care nurses utilize a variety of techniques to assess, treat, and care for patients with wounds. This includes wound debridement, cleaning, bandaging, and working with the doctor and care team to determine if other treatments like surgery or antibiotics are necessary.

How long does a rib injury take to heal?

Most fractured ribs are treated at home and will heal on their own over time. Home treatment will help you manage the pain while you heal. Pain relief can help you feel better and let you take deeper breaths. A fractured rib usually takes at least 6 weeks to heal.

How long does torn rib cartilage take to heal?

Treatment aims to relieve pain while the injury heals, which can take up to six weeks (in the case of fracture) and 12 weeks or more if the rib has been torn from the cartilage. Treatment for bruised ribs is the same as for fractured ribs but with a shorter recovery time.

What is the best pain medication for broken ribs?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), should do the trick. You can also holding a covered icepack against the area for 20 minutes at a time three times a day for extra relief.

Should you wrap a rib injury?

In the past, doctors recommended taping or wrapping broken ribs. This is no longer done because taping makes it hard for you to take deep breaths. Taking deep breaths may help prevent pneumonia or a partial collapse of a lung. Your rib will heal in about 6 weeks.