A wound that's not healing normally may be dark in color or have white streaks.
Wash Your Hands
- Use liquid soap and lather for 2 minutes. Scrub between your fingers and under your nails.
- Rinse with warm water, keeping your fingers pointing down.
- Use a paper towel to dry your hands and to turn off the faucet.
Remove the Used Dressing
- Set up your supplies.
- Put on disposable gloves if you’re dressing a wound for someone else or your wound is infected.
- Gently take off the old dressing. If you have a drain or tube in the wound, be careful not to pull on it.
- Loosen the tape by pulling gently toward the wound.
- Remove the dressing 1 layer at a time and put it in a plastic bag.
- Remove your gloves.
Inspect and Dress the Wound
- Each time you change the dressing, inspect the wound carefully to be sure it’s healing normally.
- Wash your hands again. Put on a new pair of gloves.
- Clean and dress the wound as directed by your doctor or nurse. If you have a drain or tube, be careful not to pull on it.
- Put all supplies in a plastic bag; seal the bag and put it in the trash.
- Be sure to wash your hands again.
Call your health care provider if you see any of the following signs of a problem:
· Bleeding that soaks the dressing
· Pink fluid weeping from the wound
· Increased drainage or drainage that is yellow, yellow-green, or foul-smelling
· Increased swelling or pain, or redness or swelling in the skin around the wound
· A change in the color of the wound, or if streaks develop
· An increase in the size of the wound
· A fever over 101°F (38.3°C), increased fatigue, or a loss of appetite