How many times have you suffered a minor burn while cooking or scraped your knees during an outdoor activity? The answer would probably be “too much”! For any minor injury that affects the skin, such as a cut, scratch or burn, there is no need to rush to the hospital. It’s true that such injuries can disrupt your busy life and make things slower. But if you or someone in your family has suffered a minor injury, you’ll want to know how to quickly heal wounds at home.
Tips to heal wounds faster
Wounds don’t heal by magic, but you can follow some of these principles to promote wound healing.
1. Focus on protein intake
Protein isn’t just for people with weight loss goals. They are known as the building blocks of life for good reason. You should consume protein every day so that your body gets enough macronutrients to build strong tissues, says Dr. Nidhi Khandelwal, Consultant, General Surgery, Jaslok Hospital and Research Center Mumbai. So your high-protein diet can consist of chicken, eggs, green leafy vegetables, tofu and beans.
2. Don’t skip fruit
Fruit is a great source of micronutrients such as minerals and vitamins. These ensure that all your body processes run smoothly. Seasonal fruit is usually a good choice because it contains all the essential nutrients needed at that time. Apart from that, fruits like apples, papayas and citrus fruits work well.
3. Drink plenty of water
Water is the most essential component, so don’t wait to drink it only when you are thirsty. Stay well hydrated, especially when it is hot and humid. This will help flush out any unnecessary toxins.
4. De-stress
It’s easier said than done, but a calm mind promotes healing. Don’t worry about a wound not healing, just focus on staying positive and believing that everything will be fine soon.
5. Rest
Sleep 7 to 8 hours every night and also make sure you go to bed at a reasonable time. Your body needs rest to repair and rebuild, which in turn promotes wound healing.
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6. Control sugar intake
If you have diabetes, make sure your blood sugar levels are well controlled with medications. High blood sugar levels increase the risk of infections, which hinders wound healing, the expert tells Health Shots. Also for non-diabetics, make sure you limit sugar intake in your diet if you want your wound to heal faster.
7. Avoid smoking and drinking
Harmful habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption hinder wound healing. So, stay away from it to ensure faster wound healing, says Dr. Khandelwal.
8. Aloe vera
Aloe vera contains vitamins and minerals and also contains glucomannan. It is a substance that can help with cell regeneration. This substance is a protein that can help with wound healing. A 2019 study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine showed that aloe vera could be effective for wound healing of minor burns. All you need to do is apply aloe vera gel to the wound area.
Open wounds can be very difficult to treat. So, apart from following these tips, make sure you keep the area clean and dry. That’s because excessive moisture is actually a hotbed for bacterial infections. Regularly monitor any fluid discharge, yellow or green discoloration or sudden bleeding. Keep the wound covered as much as possible to reduce environmental exposure.
But you should seek medical attention if you have broken bones, excessive bleeding, pus discharge or fever. Even if the wound does not heal for more than a week, it is wiser to see a doctor.