How many days does it take for the wound to heal? Wound healing. Can itching in a wound cause a complication?

Any surgical intervention is a forced measure associated with varying degrees of trauma to body tissues. How quickly the patient can return to active life depends on the recovery time of the body after surgery and the speed of healing of the sutures. Therefore, questions about how quickly the sutures will heal and how to avoid postoperative complications are so important. The speed of wound healing, the risk of complications and the appearance of the scar after surgery depend on the suture material and the method of suturing. We'll talk more about seams today in our article.

Types of suture materials and suturing methods in modern medicine

An ideal suture material should have the following characteristics:

Be smooth and glide without causing additional damage. Be elastic, stretchable, without causing compression and tissue necrosis. Be durable and withstand loads. Tie securely in knots. Be biocompatible with body tissues, inert (do not cause tissue irritation), and have low allergenicity. The material should not swell from moisture. The period of destruction (biodegradation) of absorbable materials must coincide with the time of wound healing.

Different suture materials have different qualities. Some of them are advantages, others are disadvantages of the material. For example, smooth threads will be difficult to tighten into a strong knot, and the use of natural materials, so valued in other areas, is often associated with an increased risk of developing infection or allergies. Therefore, the search for the ideal material continues, and so far there are at least 30 thread options, the choice of which depends on specific needs.

Suture materials are divided into synthetic and natural, absorbable and non-absorbable. In addition, materials are manufactured consisting of one thread or several: monofilament or multifilament, twisted, braided, having various coatings.

Non-absorbable materials:

Natural - silk, cotton. Silk is a relatively durable material, thanks to its plasticity it ensures the reliability of knots. Silk is a conditionally non-absorbable material: over time its strength decreases, and after about a year the material is absorbed. In addition, silk threads cause a pronounced immune response and can serve as a reservoir of infection in the wound. Cotton has low strength and can also cause intense inflammatory reactions. Stainless steel threads are durable and produce minimal inflammatory reactions. Used in abdominal surgeries, when suturing the sternum and tendons. Synthetic non-absorbable materials have the best characteristics. They are more durable and their use causes minimal inflammation. Such threads are used for matching soft tissues, in cardiac and neurosurgery, and ophthalmology.

Absorbable materials:

Natural catgut. The disadvantages of the material include a pronounced tissue reaction, the risk of infection, insufficient strength, inconvenience in use, and the inability to predict the timing of resorption. Therefore, the material is currently practically not used. Synthetic absorbable materials. Made from degradable biopolymers. They are divided into mono and polyfilament. Much more reliable compared to catgut. They have certain resorption times, which differ for different materials, are quite durable, do not cause significant tissue reactions, and do not slip in the hands. Not used in neuro and cardiac surgery, ophthalmology, in situations where constant strength of sutures is required (for suturing tendons, coronary vessels).

Suture methods:

Ligature sutures - they are used to ligate vessels to ensure hemostasis. Primary sutures - allow you to compare the edges of the wound for healing by primary intention. Sutures can be continuous or interrupted. According to indications, immersed, purse-string and subcutaneous sutures can be applied. Secondary sutures - this method is used to strengthen primary sutures, to re-close a wound with a large number of granulations, in order to strengthen a wound that heals by secondary intention. Such sutures are called retention sutures and are used to unload the wound and reduce tissue tension. If the primary suture was applied in a continuous manner, interrupted sutures are used for the secondary suture, and vice versa.

How long do stitches take to heal?

Every surgeon strives to achieve wound healing by primary intention. In this case, tissue restoration takes place in the shortest possible time, swelling is minimal, there is no suppuration, and the amount of discharge from the wound is insignificant. Scarring with this healing is minimal. The process goes through 3 phases:

Inflammatory reaction (first 5 days), when leukocytes and macrophages migrate to the wound area, destroying microbes, foreign particles, and destroyed cells. During this period, the connection of the tissues has not reached sufficient strength, and they are held together by seams. The phase of migration and proliferation (up to the 14th day), when fibroblasts produce collagen and fibrin in the wound. Thanks to this, granulation tissue is formed from the 5th day, and the strength of fixation of the wound edges increases. Phase of maturation and restructuring (from the 14th day until complete healing). During this phase, collagen synthesis and connective tissue formation continues. Gradually, a scar forms at the site of the wound.

How long does it take for stitches to be removed?

When the wound has healed to the point that it no longer requires the support of non-absorbable sutures, they are removed. The procedure is carried out under sterile conditions. At the first stage, the wound is treated with an antiseptic, and hydrogen peroxide is used to remove crusts. Grasping the thread with surgical tweezers, cross it at the point where it enters the skin. Gently pull the thread from the opposite side.

Suture removal time depending on their location:

Sutures on the skin of the torso and limbs should be left in place for 7 to 10 days. Stitches on the face and neck are removed after 2-5 days. Retention sutures are left in place for 2-6 weeks.

Factors influencing the healing process

The speed of healing of sutures depends on many factors, which can be divided into several groups:

Features and nature of the wound. Definitely, wound healing after minor surgery will be faster than after laparotomy. The process of tissue restoration is lengthened in the case of suturing a wound after an injury, when there has been contamination, penetration of foreign bodies, and crushing of tissue. Location of the wound. Healing occurs best in areas with good blood supply and a thin layer of subcutaneous fat. Factors determined by the nature and quality of surgical care provided. In this case, the features of the incision, the quality of intraoperative hemostasis (stopping bleeding), the type of suture materials used, the choice of suturing method, compliance with aseptic rules, and much more are important. Factors related to the patient’s age, weight, and health status. Tissue repair is faster at a young age and in people with normal body weight. Chronic diseases, in particular diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders, oncopathology, and vascular diseases, prolong the healing process and can provoke the development of complications. At risk are patients with foci of chronic infection, with reduced immunity, smokers, and HIV-infected people. Reasons related to caring for the postoperative wound and sutures, compliance with diet and drinking habits, physical activity of the patient in the postoperative period, following the surgeon’s recommendations, and taking medications.

How to properly care for seams

If the patient is in the hospital, a doctor or nurse will care for the sutures. At home, the patient should follow the doctor's recommendations for wound care. It is necessary to keep the wound clean, treat it daily with an antiseptic: a solution of iodine, potassium permanganate, brilliant green. If a bandage is applied, consult your doctor before removing it. Special medications can speed up healing. One of these products is contractubex gel, containing onion extract, allantoin, and heparin. It can be applied after epithelization of the wound.

For the speedy healing of postpartum sutures, strict adherence to hygiene rules is required:

• washing hands thoroughly before using the toilet;
• frequent change of gaskets;
• daily change of linen and towels;
• within a month, taking a bath should be replaced with a hygienic shower.

If there are external stitches on the perineum, in addition to careful hygiene, you need to take care of the dryness of the wound; for the first 2 weeks you should not sit on a hard surface, constipation should be avoided. It is recommended to lie on your side, sit on a circle or pillow. The doctor may recommend special exercises to improve blood supply to tissues and wound healing.

Healing of sutures after caesarean section

You will need to wear a postoperative bandage and maintain hygiene; after discharge, it is recommended to take a shower and wash the skin in the suture area twice a day with soap. At the end of the second week, you can use special ointments to restore the skin.

Healing of sutures after laparoscopy

Complications after laparoscopy are rare. To protect yourself, you should remain in bed for 24 hours after the intervention. At first, it is recommended to stick to a diet and give up alcohol. For body hygiene, a shower is used, and the suture area is treated with an antiseptic. The first 3 weeks limit physical activity.

Possible complications

The main complications during wound healing are pain, suppuration and insufficient sutures (dehiscence). Suppuration can develop due to the penetration of bacteria, fungi or viruses into the wound. Most often, infection is caused by bacteria. Therefore, after surgery, the surgeon often prescribes a course of antibiotics for prophylactic purposes. Postoperative suppuration requires identification of the pathogen and determination of its sensitivity to antibacterial agents. In addition to prescribing antibiotics, the wound may need to be opened and drained.

What to do if the seam comes apart?

Suture insufficiency is more often observed in elderly and debilitated patients. The most likely timing of complications is from 5 to 12 days after surgery. In such a situation, you should immediately seek medical help. The doctor will decide on further management of the wound: leave it open or re-suture the wound. In case of evisceration - penetration of an intestinal loop through a wound, emergency surgical intervention is required. This complication may occur due to bloating, severe coughing or vomiting.

What to do if the stitch hurts after surgery?

Pain in the suture area for a week after surgery can be considered normal. During the first few days, the surgeon may recommend taking a painkiller. Following the doctor’s recommendations will help reduce pain: limiting physical activity, wound care, wound hygiene. If the pain is intense or persists for a long time, you should consult a doctor, since pain may be a symptom of complications: inflammation, infection, formation of adhesions, hernia.

You can speed up wound healing using folk remedies. For this purpose, herbal mixtures are used internally in the form of infusions, extracts, decoctions and local applications, herbal ointments, rubbing. Here are some of the folk remedies used:

Pain and itching in the suture area can be relieved with the help of herbal decoctions: chamomile, calendula, sage. Treatment of the wound with vegetable oils - sea buckthorn, tea tree, olive. The frequency of treatment is twice a day. Lubricating the scar with a cream containing calendula extract. Applying a cabbage leaf to the wound. The procedure has an anti-inflammatory and healing effect. The cabbage leaf must be clean; it must be doused with boiling water.

Before using herbal remedies, you should definitely consult a surgeon. He will help you choose individual treatment and give the necessary recommendations.

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Clinical course and morphology of wound healing

Wound healing is a deterministic biological process that lasts about a year and ends with the formation of a mature scar. However, subsequently, the tissues that form the scar continue to change, although to a minimal extent.

From a practical point of view, in this biological process we can conditionally distinguish several periods, during which two main indicators, the most significant for both the surgeon and the patient, change significantly:
1) strength and external characteristics of the skin scar;
2) the possibility of lengthening and restructuring deep scars under the influence of tissue movement (movement of muscles, tendons, etc.).

Table 12.1.1. Clinical and morphological characteristics of the stages of uncomplicated healing of a sutured surgical wound

Stage 1 - postoperative inflammation and epithelization of the wound (7-10 days). During this period, processes of postoperative (post-traumatic) inflammation occur in the wound, after the resolution of which the swelling decreases and under certain conditions (uncomplicated course and comparison of the skin edges) epithelization of the skin wound occurs.

A distinctive feature of this stage of the wound process is the fact that the edges of the wound are connected to each other by very fragile granulation tissue, and not by a scar. Therefore, after removing the sutures on the 7-10th day, the edges of the wound can easily separate under the influence of even a small load. To obtain a minimal skin scar in the future, the edges of the wound must be held in place with sutures for a much longer period of time.

It is also very important that during this stage the sliding structures involved in the healing process of the wound (tendons, muscles, ligaments) remain mobile, however, their uncontrolled movements can intensify the process of postoperative inflammation and thereby worsen the quality of future deep scars.

Stage 2 - active fibrillogenesis and the formation of a fragile scar (10 - 30 days after surgery). During this period, active formation of collagen and elastic fibers begins in the young granulation tissue located between the edges of the wound, the number of which rapidly increases. This tissue quickly matures, which is accompanied by a decrease in the number of vessels and cellular elements, on the one hand, and an increase in the number of fibers, on the other. After this stage is completed, the edges of the wound are connected by a scar, which still remains extensible and noticeable to others.

During this period, deep scars are still capable of maximum restructuring when moving sliding structures involved in reparative processes. Therefore, it was at this time that surgeons begin to use special techniques aimed at restoring the mobility of tendons, muscles and joints. From this point of view, this period is key in restoring the function of tendons that have a significant amplitude of movement and are located in canals with dense walls (flexor and extensor tendons of the fingers in the corresponding zones, capsule and ligaments of joints).

Finally, this phase is different in that the tissues involved in the reparative processes still remain sensitive to any additional injury, including that caused by uncontrolled movements.

Stage 3 - formation of a durable scar (30-90 days). This stage lasts for the 2nd and 3rd months after the injury (surgery). During this period, the number of fibrous structures in the rumen increases significantly, and their bundles acquire a certain orientation in accordance with the dominant direction of load on the rumen. Accordingly, the number of cellular elements and vessels in the scar tissue decreases significantly, which is manifested by an important clinical trend - the transformation of a bright and noticeable scar into a less bright and less noticeable one. It should be noted that under unfavorable initial conditions, it is at this stage that the hypertrophic growth of scar tissue begins.

At the 3rd stage, internal scars also become significantly stronger, which gradually lose their ability to restructure and lengthen. Note that the formation of deep scars in conditions of complete 3-month immobilization of the limbs often does not leave patients any chance of restoring the function of the stitched tendons, especially if they have a significant amplitude of movement and are surrounded by dense tissues (for example, finger flexor tendons). The joint capsule also loses its extensibility, especially after damage to its elements and the surrounding ligamentous apparatus. In these conditions, effective rehabilitation involves appropriate surgical procedures.

On the other hand, upon completion of stage 3, almost full weight bearing on the sutured tendons and ligaments may be allowed.

It is important that at the 3rd stage of wound healing, the intensity of the processes of reparative tissue regeneration changes significantly: from relatively high to very low. We also note that during this stage, tensile forces exert a significant influence on the characteristics of the resulting scar. Thus, with longitudinal tightening of the scar, additional formation of collagen and elastic fibers occurs in the zone of this constantly acting force, and to a greater extent, the stronger the stretching. If in patients the processes of fibrillogenesis are initially enhanced, then the result of early exposure to the scar in the phase of active fibrillogenesis is the formation of hypertrophic and even keloid scars.

Stage 4 - final transformation of the scar (4-12th month). This stage is characterized by further and slower maturation of scar tissue with the almost complete disappearance of small blood vessels from it with further systematization of fibrous structures in accordance with the forces acting on this zone.

The result of a decrease in the number of vessels is a gradual change in the color of the scar: from bright pink to pale and less noticeable. Under unfavorable conditions, the formation of hypertrophic and keloid scars is completed, which sometimes significantly limit tissue function and worsen the patient’s appearance. It is important to note that in most cases, it is in the middle of the 4th stage that skin scars can be finally assessed and the possibility of their correction can be determined. During this period, the formation of internal scars also ends, and they are only slightly affected by the load.

Types of wounds and types of their healing. Main types of wounds

A wound is a violation of the anatomical integrity of tissues, accompanied by the formation of a wound space (cavity) or wound surface. Several main types of wounds can be distinguished: traumatic, surgical, trophic, thermal, etc. (Diagram 12.2.1).

Scheme 12.2.1. Main types of wounds and options for their healing.

Traumatic wounds make up the bulk of wounds and can be of a very different nature (from cuts to gunshots). These wounds can heal on their own or after surgical treatment, when the wound is transferred from traumatic to surgical.

Surgical wounds are distinguished by the fact that in the vast majority of cases they are inflicted with a sharp scalpel. This determines their cut nature and more favorable conditions for healing. A special type of surgical wounds are traumatic wounds treated by a surgeon. Their scale, location and condition of the walls of the wound cavity are often determined not so much by the surgeon as by the nature of the primary damage.

Trophic wounds occur when venous outflow and/or arterial inflow are disrupted, as well as from certain endocrine and other disorders. Their main feature is their gradual occurrence as a result of the slow death of tissues due to disruption of their nutrition.

Thermal injuries (burns and frostbite) have specific features, since the wound surface can be formed simultaneously (flame burn) or gradually (with frostbite), in the process of forming a line of demarcation and rejection of dead tissue.

Other wounds. Sometimes rarer types of wounds occur. These include wounds formed after self-opening of ulcers, deep abrasions, scratching, etc.

Types of wound healing

Traumatic and surgical wounds are of greatest importance for clinical practice. Their healing occurs in two fundamentally different ways: primary intention (primary healing) and secondary intention (secondary healing).

Wound healing by primary intention occurs in cases where the edges of the wound are no more than 5 mm apart from each other. Then, due to swelling and contraction of the fibrin clot, gluing of the wound edges may occur. Most often, this situation occurs when the edges of the wound are brought together with surgical sutures.

The second most important condition for primary wound healing is the absence of suppuration. This occurs if the edges of the wound are sufficiently close and viable, the intrawound hematoma is small, and bacterial contamination of the wound surface is insignificant.

Primary wound healing has three practical implications.

Firstly, it occurs in the shortest possible time, which, as a rule, means a minimum period of inpatient treatment for the patient, his faster rehabilitation and return to work.

Secondly, the absence of suppuration during reconstructive operations creates favorable conditions in the wound for the subsequent functioning of the structures restored by surgeons (in the area of ​​the tendon suture, the suture of blood vessels and nerves, the zone of osteosynthesis, etc.).

Thirdly, during primary healing, as a rule, a skin scar with more favorable characteristics is formed: it is much thinner and less often requires correction.

Wound healing by secondary intention is characterized by a much slower course of the wound process, when gluing of the edges of the wound cannot occur due to its large size. The most important features of this type of healing are suppuration of the wound and its subsequent cleansing, which ultimately leads to gradual epithelization of the wound in the direction from the periphery to the center. Note that peripheral epithelization is quickly depleted and can lead to spontaneous healing of the wound only if the size of the wound is not too large (up to 2 cm in diameter). In other cases, the wound granulates for a long time and becomes non-healing.

Wound healing by secondary intention is unfavorable in all respects.

Firstly, this process lasts several weeks and even months. Treatment of the patient requires not only constant dressings, but also additional operations (secondary sutures, skin grafting, etc.). This increases the length of the patient's hospital stay and economic costs.

Secondly, when the wound suppurates, the outcomes of reconstructive operations (including those performed for open injuries) sharply worsen. Thus, suppuration of the wound when a tendon suture is applied, at best, leads to blockage of the tendon with more pronounced scars, and at worst, to tendon necrosis.

The development of rough scars can block the regeneration of axons in the area of ​​suture or nerve repair, and suppuration in the area of ​​osteosynthesis usually ends in osteomyelitis. This creates new, often very complex problems for the patient, the surgical solution of which may require several months and sometimes years, and the effectiveness of the measures taken is often low. Finally, after the wound suppurates, as a rule, a wide scar is formed with a gross disruption of the surface of the skin. There are often cases when wound suppuration leads to disability and even creates a real threat to the patient’s life.

IN AND. Arkhangelsky, V.F. Kirillov

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To establish the healing period of abrasions / Kononenko V.I. // Forensic-medical examination. - M., 1959. - No. 1. — P. 19-22.

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At the site of an abrasion on the body of a living person, healing processes begin to be detected quite quickly, which, during an examination, can serve as the basis for an approximate determination of the period of occurrence of abrasions. Literature data on this issue are contradictory.

The first signs accompanying an abrasion are considered to be redness and swelling, noted by Zablotsky, which, in his opinion, can persist for 8-10 days. However, other authors (A. Schauenstein, A. S. Ignatovsky, A. F. Taikov) indicate different periods for the disappearance of redness and swelling.

Data on the timing of the formation and falling off of a crust at the site of an abrasion given in the literature also differ.

The issue of abrasions was studied in most detail by A.F. Taikov, who are allocated 4 stages of healing: the first - when the surface of the abrasion is below the level of the surrounding skin (up to a day or more); the second - the formation of a crust rising above the level of intact skin - from 1 to 3-4 days; the third is the process of epithelization that occurs under the crust, the peeling of which begins from the edges and ends on the 7-9th day; fourth, the disappearance of marks after the crust falls off at the site of the former abrasion (days 9-12).

As you know, there are no scars left at the site of abrasions, but a pale pink area that disappears over time. Literary data on the period of preservation of this site are even more contradictory (N.S. Bokarius, Grzhivo-Dombrovsky, J. Kratter, E.R. Hoffman, W. Neugebauer, K.I. Tatiev, A.F. Taikov, etc.) .

As can be seen from the above, when determining the timing of the formation and falling off of the crust and the healing of abrasions in general, neither the size, nor the depth, nor their localization, nor the age of the witness and the general condition of his body were taken into account. Only A.F. Taikov points out the need to take into account the state of the central nervous system and speaks of its inhibition in fatal injuries, which affects the healing process of abrasions.

It seems to us that with the division of the healing process of abrasions into stages proposed by A.F. Taikov, we cannot agree. The healing process itself proceeds and develops gradually and cannot be limited by the listed stages. In addition, division into stages makes it difficult for experts to determine the period of formation of abrasions.

Our observations have shown that during the healing of abrasions, changes occur in them continuously, over short periods of time, especially in the initial period of healing, and these changes can be the basis for establishing the timing of their formation.

24 abrasions in people aged 11 to 56 years (mainly 11, 25, 30 and 56 years) were observed. On the first day, observations were carried out 4 times, on the second and third - 2 times, on the rest - 1 time every day. The localization of abrasions varied: lower leg, thigh, forearms, hands, neck and chest.

The table below shows signs of different periods of intravital healing of abrasions. In 3/4 of all cases, a fresh abrasion lies below the level of the surrounding skin, but sometimes at the level of the surrounding skin. Its surface is moist, soft to the touch, in most cases pinkish-red in color, but shades can vary from pale pink, brown to dark tones. During the first 24 hours, there is minor pain and the effects of infection may be observed.

On the second day, in 3/4 of all cases, the abraded surface is located at the same level as the surrounding skin, but sometimes it already begins to rise, and only a few abrasions are below the skin level.

On the third day, almost all abrasions are covered with a raised crust of brown-red color, but shades of pink-red color, sometimes dark, brown and yellowish, may also be observed.

After 4 days, the crust, as a rule, is above the level of the skin and only in those rare cases when the body’s reactivity is weakened or suppressed as a result of extensive trauma (severe bodily injury), it does not rise above the level of the surrounding skin. By the end of the 8-11th day, the crust is easily separated, but it can fall off even earlier, especially in cases where the abrasion was first smeared with iodine or brilliant green, as well as in cases of superficial abrasions of small sizes and when they are localized on the neck.

Signs detected during the healing process	Time from the moment of abrasion formation
The surface of the abrasion is mainly pink-red in color, moist, below the level of the surrounding skin, and there is whitening around it	1 hour
The surface dries out, redness and swelling around the abrasion is about 0.5 cm wide	6-12 hours
The surface becomes denser, the swelling disappears. There is a disappearance of the sometimes existing pain	24-36"
The surface is often brownish-red in color, dense to the touch, mainly at the level of intact skin. The influence of the infectious onset is reduced	2 days
The abrasion is almost always covered with a crust that rises above the skin level. Dark, brown, yellowish shades predominate. Noticeable wrinkling and reduction in size	3"
The crust usually rises above the skin level	4 "
A crust with undermined edges, its color is often red-brown, the size of the abrasion is halved	5 days
The same phenomena are expressed more sharply; peeling of the skin is observed around the abrasion	6-7"
Reducing the initial size of the abrasion by 4 times	8 "
The crust falls off (its rejection is possible earlier), a pale pink area remains in the place where it fell off	9-11"
Reduction in the size of the indicated area, its color is dominated by pinkish-reddish shades	15-16 days or more
Gradual, traceless disappearance of the specified area	20-30 days

One cannot, of course, think that the signs and terms given in the table are absolute for all cases (sometimes the crusts disappear on the 6th day), but this does not exclude the possibility of using these data in the practical activities of a forensic expert.

The duration of healing also depends on the size of the abrasion. In this case, the following pattern should be noted: in superficial abrasions measuring 0.5×0.3 cm, other things being equal, the crusts separated on the 6th day, and in abrasions measuring 2×1 cm - on the 8th day. Localization is also important: when abrasions are located on the neck, the time for separation of the crust is reduced. Thus, with abrasions measuring 6x1 cm on the neck, the scabs fell off already on the 8th day.

Infection of abrasions has a significant impact on the healing process. In one case, with an abrasion size of 2x1 cm, when an infection occurred on the 4th day (suppuration), the crust separated only on the 15th day.

When determining the age of an abrasion, a forensic expert must take into account such points as the localization of the abrasion, the depth of the abrasion of the skin (superficial or deep abrasion), size, infection, lubrication of the surface of the abrasions with iodine, brilliant green, as well as the individual properties of the victim.

We studied the examination reports at the Kharkov Forensic Outpatient Clinic for the first half of 1957, in which there were descriptions of 1270 abrasions. It turned out that in 75% of cases the expert sees an abrasion on the 2nd day of its formation. In 81.4% of these cases, the abrasions were located at the same level with the surrounding skin, in 66.5% they were brown-red, in 31.2% reddish, in 2.3% yellowish-red, in all cases there was redness of the skin around the abrasion. On the 3rd day, abrasions were examined in 14.6% of cases, and on the 4th day - in 7.2%, etc. The sizes of the abrasions were different: the color of the crust on the 3rd day was mainly red-brown ( 71.9%) and only in 18.1% of cases - brown-red.

A comparison of our data on the healing of abrasions with those from the practice of the Kharkov Forensic Outpatient Clinic showed a coincidence of the detected signs during healing.

Thus, the presented data, it seems to us, can be used to judge the timing of the formation of abrasions in the practical activities of a forensic expert.

- This is damage to the skin and underlying tissues with the formation of a purulent focus. The pathology is manifested by significant swelling, hyperemia of surrounding tissues and intense pain. The pain can be tugging, bursting, and depriving you of sleep. Dead tissue and accumulations of pus are visible in the wound. General intoxication is observed, accompanied by fever, chills, headache, weakness and nausea. The treatment is complex and includes washing and draining wounds (if necessary, purulent leaks are opened), therapeutic dressings, antibiotic therapy, detoxification therapy, immunocorrective therapy and stimulation of recovery processes.

ICD-10

T79.3 Post-traumatic wound infection, not elsewhere classified

General information

A purulent wound is a tissue defect, the lumen of which contains purulent exudate, and signs of inflammation are detected along the edges. Purulent wounds are the most common complication of clean wounds, both accidental and surgical. According to various sources, despite strict adherence to sterility during operations, the number of suppurations in the postoperative period ranges from 2-3 to 30%. The causative agents of the purulent process in accidental and surgical wounds are most often the so-called pyogenic microbes (staphylococci, streptococci, etc.). The treatment of previously untreated purulent wounds is carried out by surgeons; the treatment of accidental wounds that festered after PSO is carried out by orthopedic traumatologists. Treatment of festering surgical wounds is the responsibility of the specialists who performed the operation: surgeons, traumatologists, vascular surgeons, thoracic surgeons, neurosurgeons, etc.

Causes

Wounds in the head and neck area heal best. Somewhat more often, suppuration occurs with wounds of the gluteal region, back, chest and abdomen, and even more often with damage to the upper and lower extremities. Foot wounds heal the worst. Good immunity reduces the likelihood of developing purulent wounds with minor bacterial insemination. With significant insemination and a satisfactory state of the immune system, suppuration occurs more rapidly, but the process is usually localized and ends with recovery more quickly. Immune disorders cause more sluggish and prolonged healing of purulent wounds. The likelihood of infection spreading and complications developing increases.

Severe somatic diseases affect the general condition of the body and, as a result, the likelihood of suppuration and the speed of wound healing. However, diabetes mellitus has a particularly strong negative impact due to vascular and metabolic disorders. In patients suffering from this disease, purulent wounds can occur even with minor injuries and minor bacterial insemination. In such patients, poor healing and a pronounced tendency for the process to spread are observed. In healthy young people, on average, wounds fester less often than in older people, and in thin people - less often than in overweight people. The likelihood of wound suppuration increases in the summer, especially in hot and humid weather, so elective operations are recommended to be performed in the cold season.

Symptoms of purulent wounds

Local and general symptoms of pathology are distinguished. Local symptoms include tissue defects with the presence of purulent exudate, as well as classic signs of inflammation: pain, local fever, local hyperemia, swelling of surrounding tissues and dysfunction. Pain from a purulent wound can be pressing or bursting. When outflow is difficult (due to the formation of a crust, the formation of streaks, the spread of a purulent process), the accumulation of pus and increased pressure in the inflamed area, the pain becomes very intense, twitching and often deprives patients of sleep. The skin around the wound is hot. In the initial stages, during the formation of pus, redness of the skin is observed. If the wound persists for a long time, the redness may give way to a purple or purplish-bluish coloration of the skin.

Two types of edema can be distinguished at the site of the lesion. The edges of the wound are warm and inflammatory. Coincides with the zone of hyperemia, caused by impaired blood flow. Distal to the wound – cold reactive. There is no hyperemia in this area, and swelling of the soft tissues is caused by impaired lymph outflow due to compression of the lymph nodes in the area of ​​inflammation. Dysfunction of the affected area is associated with swelling and pain; the severity of the disorder depends on the size and location of the purulent wound, as well as on the volume and phase of inflammation.

The main symptom of a purulent wound is pus - a liquid containing bacteria, tissue detritus, globulins, albumins, enzymes of leukocyte and microbial origin, fats, cholesterol, DNA admixtures and dead leukocytes. The color and consistency of pus depend on the type of pathogen. Staphylococcus is characterized by thick yellow or white pus, for streptococcus - liquid greenish or yellowish, for E. coli - liquid brown-yellow, for anaerobic microbes - brown, foul-smelling, for pseudomonas infection - yellowish, shimmering blue-green on the bandage (the pus acquires this shade upon contact with oxygen in the external environment). The amount of pus can vary significantly. Under the pus, areas of necrotic tissue and granulation may be found.

Toxins enter the patient’s body from the wound, which causes the appearance of symptoms of general intoxication. Characterized by fever, loss of appetite, sweating, weakness, chills, headache. Blood tests reveal an acceleration of ESR and leukocytosis with a shift to the left. A urine test reveals protein. In severe cases, there may be an increase in the level of urea, creatinine and bilirubin in the blood, anemia, leukopenia, dysproteinemia and hypoproteinemia. Clinically, with severe intoxication, severe weakness and disturbances of consciousness, up to coma, can be observed.

Depending on the predominant process, the following stages of the purulent process are distinguished: formation of a purulent focus, cleansing and regeneration, healing. All purulent wounds heal by secondary intention.

Complications

With purulent wounds, a number of complications are possible. Lymphangitis (inflammation of the lymphatic vessels located proximal to the wound) appears as red stripes directed from the wound to the regional lymph nodes. With lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes), regional lymph nodes enlarge and become painful. Thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the veins) is accompanied by the appearance of painful red strands along the saphenous veins. With contact spread of pus, the development of purulent leaks, periostitis, osteomyelitis, purulent arthritis, abscess and phlegmon is possible. The most severe complication of purulent wounds is sepsis.

If healing does not occur, the purulent wound can become chronic. Foreign experts consider wounds without a tendency to heal within 4 weeks or more as chronic. Such wounds include bedsores, trophic ulcers, accidental or surgical long-term non-healing wounds.

Diagnostics

Due to the presence of obvious local signs, diagnosing purulent wounds is not difficult. To exclude the involvement of underlying anatomical structures, radiography, MRI or CT of the affected segment can be performed. A general blood test determines signs of inflammation. To determine the type and sensitivity of the pathogen, the discharge is inoculated onto nutrient media.

Treatment of purulent wounds

Treatment tactics depend on the phase of the wound process. At the stage of formation of a purulent focus, the main task of surgeons is to clean the wound, limit inflammation, fight pathogenic microorganisms and detoxify (if indicated). At the second stage, measures are taken to stimulate regeneration, it is possible to apply early secondary sutures or perform skin grafting. At the stage of wound closure, epithelial formation is stimulated.

If pus is present, surgical treatment is performed, which includes dissecting the edges of the wound or skin over the lesion, removing pus, examining the wound to identify leaks and, if necessary, opening these leaks, removing necrotic tissue (necrectomy), stopping bleeding, washing and draining the wound. Sutures are not applied to purulent wounds; the application of rare sutures is allowed only when organizing flow-through drainage. Along with traditional methods of treating purulent wounds, modern methods are used: vacuum therapy, local ozone therapy, hyperbaric oxygenation, laser treatment, ultrasound treatment, cryotherapy, treatment with a pulsating jet of antiseptic, injection of sorbents into the wound, etc.

According to indications, detoxification is carried out: forced diuresis, infusion therapy, extracorporeal hemocorrection, etc. All of the above measures, both traditional and modern, are carried out against the background of rational antibiotic therapy and immunocorrection. Depending on the severity of the process, antibiotics may be prescribed orally, intramuscularly or intravenously. In the first days, broad-spectrum drugs are used. After determining the pathogen, the antibiotic is replaced taking into account the sensitivity of the microorganisms.

After cleansing the purulent wound, measures are taken to restore the anatomical relationships and close the wound (early and late secondary sutures, skin grafting). Secondary sutures are indicated in the absence of pus, necrotic tissue and severe inflammation of surrounding tissues. In this case, it is necessary that the edges of the wound can be compared without tension. If there is a tissue defect and it is impossible to compare the edges of the wound, skin grafting is performed using the island and brand methods, plastic with counter flaps, plastic with a free skin flap, or plastic with a skin flap on a vascular pedicle.

The farther from the head, the longer. Without primary surgical treatment, the wound heals by secondary intention, through the process of suppuration. The time frame may vary from 2 to 3 weeks. Depending on the size of the wound surface.

The wound does not owe anyone anything, and therefore for each person it heals exactly as long as local conditions allow it - the individual qualities of the person. Yes, I forgot, natural conditions also play a role. For example, everyone knows that in the coastal region, wounds heal longer and more painfully due to the high humidity of the climate. And the energy of the person himself can influence the healing of a wound. Once upon a time in the Soviet magazine "Around the World" I read about one either African or Australian aboriginal tribe, a representative of which demonstrated to Soviet scientists his abilities of this kind: he took a knife and slashed his hand, making a rather deep wound, which is usually treated doctor. But his blood very quickly coagulated and dried, and literally after a few minutes the bleeding stopped. And by evening, only a scar remained at the site of this wound, as if the wound had been inflicted a long time ago.

All about cuts

General information

• blunt objects that leave wounds with ragged edges. Such wounds usually appear in the bone area ( on knees, fingers). The tissues around such wounds become very swollen and severely injured, scarring is more difficult, since their edges are uneven,
• sharp objects that leave cut wounds. Such wounds can be quite deep and affect not only the upper layers of tissue, but also deeper ones,
• thin and sharp objects that leave puncture wounds,
• combined injuries that remain after exposure to sharp and blunt objects.

What symptoms should you look out for?

If the cut is on the face, the wound is long or deep enough, if its edges are not closed with an adhesive plaster, you need the help of a doctor. Deep wounds in the joint area, on the chest, neck, face, and palms are dangerous. You should also definitely show the wounds to a doctor if the victim is a baby, if the tissue around the wound turns red, swells and hurts. These are signs of infection. Attention should be paid if the tissue around the wound has lost sensitivity. If the bleeding does not stop, the victim has impaired motor skills of the limbs or fingers, or if he is in shock, an ambulance must be urgently called.

Complications

• trauma to large veins and arteries,
• cut infection ( the wound hurts, becomes covered with pus, turns red),
• tetanus. This is a serious disease that affects the nervous system. It is incurable. The pathogen develops in deep wounds without access to oxygen. To prevent the development of the disease, anti-tetanus serum is administered, which is effective for ten years.

Incised extensor tendon injury

Treatment and stopping bleeding

• cleansing the wound,
• blood stop,
• sterile wound closure,
• antiseptic treatment.

Cleansing the wound carried out using water and soap solution. Washing should be done with a piece of cotton wool or bandage. Quickly washing the wound removes sources of infection and prevents suppuration of the wound. After soaping the wound, rinse the soap thoroughly with clean water. This procedure must be done daily until the wound is completely scarred.

If the wound is very dirty, you can also use 3% hydrogen peroxide or an antiseptic solution.

If a small child has a cut on the lips or chin, do not apply a bandage, as it will collect food and saliva.

A sterile dressing should not be changed frequently, unless the dressing is loose or dirty. But even in this case, you can not change the bandage, but only bandage it on top again with a clean bandage.

The fastest way is to press the top of the cut with a clean bandage or cloth. The bandage must be pressed tightly enough and held until the bleeding stops ( sometimes up to a quarter of an hour). This procedure is ineffective only if the arteries are affected. To make the blood flow less intensely, you need to raise the wounded limb upward.

Aqueous solutions are used to treat wounds, as well as to wet tampons and napkins for sterile dressings. This treatment is completely painless and is often used to treat wounds in children.

What to do if your finger is injured?

Here's a little secret: how to put it on your finger so that it is convenient for them to operate, and so that the bandage does not move out. Regular bandaging of a finger most often only leads to the fact that the bandages slip off after a while. And sometimes they dry to the wound, and changing the dressing is then painful and unpleasant. To prevent all these troubles, you should wrap your finger at the cut site with a strip of paper that covers the entire phalanx. After which you can wrap a bandage or stick a patch. Such a paper wrapper will protect the wound, move its edges and help it heal faster.

This type of bandage is easier to remove because the paper will not stick to the wound. According to experienced people, it is best to use white stationery paper. Before application, it should be treated with hydrogen peroxide.

Ointment treatment

It is produced in the form of ointment, spray, cream and lotion. Contains vitamin B5, quickly heals wounds, restores tissue, and can be used to treat mucous membranes. Treat the affected area once a day.

Relieves inflammation, antiseptic, accelerates tissue restoration. Wounds are treated once a day.

Relieves inflammation, stops bleeding, accelerates tissue restoration. Prescribed if the cut does not heal for a long time. The affected surface is treated two or three times a day and a bandage is applied before bedtime.

Relieves inflammation, destroys microbes, accelerates tissue restoration. It is very indicated for long lasting cuts. Treatments are carried out several times a day.

Produced in the form of iodine solution and ointment. Strong antiseptic. May cause local skin irritation.

Inhibits the development of pathogenic microbes, relieves pain, and accelerates scarring. Treatment is carried out once or twice a day. Effective for purulent wounds.

Antiseptic, inhibits the development of microbes. Prescribed for the treatment of wounds, including very dirty ones ( first washed with an aqueous solution, then ointment is applied).

Special instructions for the use of certain medications

• If the cut does not heal for a long time, you should take a course of vitamins B, C, E and A,
• Treatment of wounds with iodine can provoke individual intolerance,
• People with impaired thyroid function should use iodine supplements only under the guidance of a doctor.
• Solutions of boric acid cannot be used to treat large surfaces of the body, as the drug is absorbed into the blood and poisoning may develop. This is very dangerous for children. Signs of boric acid poisoning: nausea, rash, kidney failure, diarrhea,
• Alcohol preparations should not be applied to the wound surface, using them only to lubricate the skin around the wound,
• Since any alcohol preparations cause a burning sensation, they are not advisable to use in the treatment of wounds in children,
• Deep cuts should not be treated with hydrogen peroxide, as air bubbles may clog the blood vessels.
• Lifusol ointment creates a thin protective film on the surface of the wound, which protects the wound from germs. You can remove it by wiping the body with alcohol,
• Lifusol is a flammable product. In addition, you should not give the tube of ointment to babies.

Antibiotics

What affects the speed of healing?

How to get rid of scars?

To choose the right method for removing a scar, you must first keep in mind the nature of the injury and its depth.

When should you definitely see a doctor?

• blood spurts out from the wound; if the blood is scarlet, a blood vessel is probably cut,
• the blood flows profusely and does not stop,
• the cut is in a visible place and the scar on it is undesirable,
• the hands are affected - there are important tendons and nerves here,
• symptoms of inflammation are present - redness covering the tissue more than 2 cm around the cut, swelling of the tissue,
• increase in body temperature,
• the wound is deep enough - in such cases it is necessary to apply a suture,
• the wound is dirty, and the last tetanus shot was given more than five years ago,
• soil and animal feces got into the wound ( for example, manure) – in such environments there is a lot of tetanus pathogen,
• the wound does not heal long enough, exudate flows from it,
• after injury, the victim vomits and feels sick - this is more true for head injuries in children.

Doctor's help

• clean the wound from dirt and debris,
• put stitches,
• if nerves, tendons or blood vessels are damaged, send them to the hospital,
• prescribe antibiotics if the wound is infected,
• give an anti-tetanus injection.

First aid and treatment procedure for deep cuts on fingers

Fingers are most susceptible to a wide variety of injuries. Cooking, gardening, car repairs, home repairs, and many other everyday activities involve working with your hands and, therefore, can cause finger injuries, the most common of which are cuts to the thumb and index finger. Every person should know what to do if they cut their finger.

Types of cuts

There are several types of cuts:

• Cuts caused by blunt objects are characterized by ragged edges of the wound and can be combined with bruises and flattening of soft tissues, which complicates treatment.
• Wounds from sharp objects have smooth edges, which makes healing easier. However, sharp objects often cause deep cuts, which can affect, in addition to the skin with small capillaries, large vessels, ligaments and even bones.
• Another type of injury is a puncture rather than a cut. They can also be applied with sharp, thin objects. Treatment of such cuts and punctures is complicated by the fact that the wound channel is usually narrow and deep. The finger quickly swells, but the blood does not stop, it soaks into the tissue around it, because of this, the wound quickly rots, and the finger begins to break out. Such cuts are characterized by blueness of the finger.
• Often the finger is not just cut, but part of the flesh is cut off. In this case, it is extremely important to protect the wound from pathogenic microorganisms, since the open area is much larger than with a regular cut.

First aid for a deep cut

Deep cuts may be complicated by tendon cuts. This type of injury can easily occur if you cut your finger with a blender or other electrical appliance powerful enough to cut deep into the flesh. With such injuries, the sensitivity of the finger is lost. The patient cannot move it, bend or straighten it.

These symptoms are a direct indication to see a doctor.

In most cases, surgical intervention is necessary - suturing the tendons, suturing the cut. Self-treatment can lead to serious complications. But first you need to provide emergency assistance.

Initially, you need to determine the intensity of bleeding. If the blood pulsates or gushes in a constant stream, it means that a vessel much larger than the capillary has been affected. It is necessary to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. To do this, apply a tourniquet or elastic band to the finger above the cut site. It drags on exactly until the blood stops, no more. It is better to record the time when the tourniquet was applied. Every minute it is necessary to loosen the tourniquet, in order to avoid the death of tissues to which blood access was limited.

The second step is to wash the wound. As a rule, a 3 or 6 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide is used for this, which also has hemostatic properties. If you don’t have peroxide on hand, you can rinse the wound under running cold water. However, many doctors do not recommend doing this with tap water, because the quality of the pipes often leaves much to be desired, and there is a high risk of infection.

After the wound is washed, a moderately tight bandage of gauze or bandage is applied. You can also use any piece of clean cotton or linen fabric.

After this, the victim should be immediately taken to the hospital or an ambulance should be called. All this time, it is better to keep the wounded arm raised, at face level, this will help slow down or even stop the bleeding.

How to treat a cut on a finger

Treatment of cuts consists of 4 main stages: washing, stopping bleeding, treating the wound, dressing.

Washing

So, first of all, you need to examine the wound. If there are foreign objects inside, they must be removed. It is convenient to use tweezers for this. To remove remaining dust, dirt, and possibly particles of the object that caused the injury, such as pieces of glass, from the wound, it must be washed and disinfected. A solution of hydrogen peroxide copes well with this task. It must be poured directly into the wound. There, the peroxide begins to foam, thereby pushing out everything unnecessary. It also exhibits antiseptic properties. In addition to peroxide, you can use an aqueous solution of furatsilin or a soap solution to wash the wound. It is important to thoroughly rinse the soap solution with cold running water after the procedure. A correctly performed procedure will keep the wound walls in their original position, which will promote speedy healing.

Stopping the bleeding

After the wound is washed, it is necessary to stop the bleeding.

Usually, with a shallow cut, the bleeding itself stops within minutes.

Provided that the victim does not have impaired blood clotting for any reason. It is enough to keep your hand raised after washing. If the bleeding does not stop within the specified time frame, you need to apply pressure to the cut with a bandage or cloth. When blood continues to bleed through the bandage, another tighter bandage should be applied over the old one. Do not remove the old bandage until the bleeding stops. Because there is a risk of removing already dried blood and provoking bleeding with renewed vigor.

Bleeding that cannot be stopped in this way within minutes can be dangerous and you should consult a doctor.

A tourniquet is used exclusively when injuring large vessels, as it severely restricts blood circulation. Improper use can lead to irreversible consequences.

Treatment of the wound

After the bleeding has stopped, it is necessary to remove the hemostatic bandage, if it was applied. It is better to moisten the dried bandage with a solution of furatsilin for painless removal. If necessary, wipe the wound with a swab moistened with the same solution to remove any remaining dressing. Then dry the cut with a piece of dry, clean cloth. Next, the wound is treated with an antiseptic to prevent infection and subsequent suppuration. The skin around the wound is treated with an alcohol solution of iodine or brilliant green.

It is extremely important to ensure that these drugs do not get on the edges, much less directly into the wound, because there they can kill living tissue.

This will slow down tissue regeneration and make treatment more difficult. In addition, the alcohol solution will cause additional pain, which is especially undesirable if a child has injured the finger. The wound itself is treated with ointments with antibiotics, such as levomekol, methyluracil, gentamicin ointment, levosin, tetracycline ointment. It is important to apply the ointment in moderate doses. Too much ointment causes the edges of the cut to soften, making treatment more difficult. After treating the wound, it must be properly bandaged.

Dressing

To begin with, it is recommended to wrap your finger in a paper strip soaked in hydrogen peroxide; this will help avoid pain when changing the bandage. You should use clean paper, without text. Printer ink and paint contain harmful substances. In this case, the edges of the wound need to be moved together as much as possible, especially if the wound is deep, down to the meat. A bandage is placed on the finger over the paper. It should be tight enough to hold the edges of the wound together. At the same time, the bandage should not put too much pressure on the finger or block the blood flow. Blood supplies damaged tissues with oxygen. This promotes faster healing.

For a small cut, you can use a bactericidal patch.

The dressing is changed once a day.

With proper treatment, small cuts will heal completely within 4-5 days. Deeper cuts complicated by suppuration or damage to the ligaments take much longer to heal.

If the wound has festered, the treatment process may drag on for days.

Damaged ligaments are restored from 3-4 weeks to 3 months.

Factors influencing the rate of wound healing

Healing depends on many factors. The main ones are:

• Blood supply. The tissues must be sufficiently supplied with oxygen, which is delivered by blood. The higher the oxygen concentration in the tissues, the more active the immune system is, the faster the blood vessels and skin are restored, and the production of collagen, one of the most important proteins that plays a key role in the process of tissue regeneration in the human body, accelerates.
• Patient's diet. To produce collagen fibers, you need proteins, minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates. A large number of these components contain meat, dairy products, and nuts.
• High-quality isolation of the wound from the external environment. Microorganisms that get into the wound not only cause purulent inflammation. They also absorb oxygen, which is so necessary for immune processes.

Possible complications

Even the smallest, seemingly insignificant cut can result in a number of complications.

The most common of them is inflammation with suppuration. The edges of the wound become red and swelling is noticeable. The patient is bothered by throbbing pain in the finger. This complication occurs especially often with cuts with a deep narrow channel. Dressings with Levomekol ointment, as well as its analogues, such as Ichthyol ointment and balsamic liniment according to Vishnevsky, help well against suppuration. They effectively cope with inflammation and draw out pus from the wound well.

An extremely dangerous complication is infection of the wound with a bacterium that causes tetanus. This disease affects the nervous system. It's incurable! If the cut was caused by a dirty object, such as glass or a rusty nail. Be sure to thoroughly wash the cut and see a doctor to administer anti-tetanus serum.

Cuts to fingers are a very common household injury. You can cut yourself with a knife in the kitchen, with a razor in the mirror, even with a sheet of office paper. The vast majority of finger cuts are not serious. They are easily treated at home. However, you should not neglect even the smallest cuts.

It is important to take the necessary treatment measures in a timely manner.

Ignoring them threatens with the most unpleasant consequences.

Every home and every workplace should have a first aid kit with the essentials for first aid: cotton wool; bandage; bactericidal patch; tourniquet; hydrogen peroxide; Furacilin tablets; iodine or brilliant green; ointment containing an antibiotic.

First aid for cuts. What to do to help yourself or anyone else affected

How long does it take for a deep knife cut on a finger to heal?

How long does it take for a deep cut to heal?

It happens that at the most inopportune moment, we hurt ourselves. Sometimes these wounds are very deep. What to do in this case? How can I make a deep cut heal faster?

How to help a wound heal faster?

There are several simple rules, following which the wound will heal much faster, and the mark from it will be almost invisible.

The area of ​​skin around the wound should be kept moist at all times. That is, you must definitely use an antibiotic ointment, which not only helps ensure safety from infection, but also provides the skin with sufficient moisture. This is done because dry wounds heal more slowly. You need to apply this ointment every time you dress a wound.

Step 2. Do not pick or tear off the crust that has formed on the wound. It serves as a kind of protection for the wound from the entry of various foreign bodies and bacteria into it. Therefore, when a person removes it, the healing process slows down, and there is also a possibility of the onset of an inflammatory process.

The bandage from the wound must be removed slowly and carefully so as not to further injure the cut or tear off the protective crust. If the patch is difficult to remove, you can wet it, then it will come off easier.

You need to get a good night's sleep. Because it has long been proven that all healing processes occur best when a person is in a state of sleep.

How do wounds and abrasions heal?

We all experience injuries from time to time. Read our article on how to speed up the healing process and avoid scars if possible.

Injury is always a nuisance. Even the slightest scratch can cause a person a lot of unpleasant sensations: inflammation, pain, swelling. And if these consequences of injuries go away after some time, then the scars, alas, remain for many years. It is especially unpleasant if scars form on visible parts of the body, for example on the face, neck, hands. Appearance spoiled by scars often brings a lot of psychological problems, especially for women who care so much about their beauty.

Fortunately, everything is not as tragic as it seems at first glance. With a competent approach to the treatment of wounds and abrasions, you can significantly speed up the healing process and also avoid the formation of scars.

How do wounds heal?

First, let's figure out how wound healing occurs? Believe me, a deeper understanding of the processes only contributes to the correct treatment tactics. The wound healing process takes place in several stages:

• inflammation phase. Immediately after the injury occurs, the body begins to fight the problem. Initially, a blood clot forms in the tissues to stop bleeding. On the other hand, the body needs to constantly fight microorganisms that can get into an open wound. This whole process is accompanied by inflammation - a process in which immune cells are recruited to the site of injury, and swelling is also formed, which puts pressure on the nerve endings, thereby causing pain. The inflammation phase can last up to 7 days. Already on the 7th day, the wound begins to fill with granulation tissue - connective tissue that forms during wound healing;
• proliferation phase. Approximately starts from the 7th day and can last up to 4 weeks. During the proliferation phase, the wound is actively filled with connective granulation tissue, which is based on collagen. The wound is also filled with capillaries and inflammatory cells. This is how a young scar is formed. At this stage, the scar stretches easily. Due to the high content of blood vessels, the scar has a bright red color, which makes it easily noticeable;
• scar formation phase. A scar begins to form around the 4th week, and this process can last up to 1 year. The bright red scar formed during the proliferation stage begins to fade and the scar becomes less noticeable. As a result, the lesion site is finally filled with connective and epithelial tissue. Primary collagen is replaced by coarser collagen. Thus, a scar is formed, which takes on its final (completed) appearance.

Fast healing

In parallel, wound healing occurs in 2 stages: hydration and dehydration. The wound hydration stage is the period when the wound is still moist. Accordingly, the dehydration stage is the time when the wound remains dry. In this regard, to achieve speedy healing, it is important to use wound-healing drugs (D-panthenol, etc.) in a timely manner. It is worth keeping in mind that during the hydration stage the wound needs hydration and regular cleansing. And at the stage of dehydration, the wound needs protection and nutrition of the formed tissues. Therefore, it is very important to use wound-healing drugs already at the “wet” stage. This way the wound will close faster, and the risk of wound infection will be significantly reduced.

Sweat glands help heal wounds, burns and ulcers. Scientists from the University of Michigan came to this conclusion.

In addition, accelerated wound healing usually does not result in scarring, or minor scarring may occur. Well, if scars do form, for example, due to deep cuts or burns, then there are remedies for this case too. In pharmacies you can purchase special products (ointments, gels) that prevent the appearance of scars. However, it is important to apply them immediately after the wound has healed. Thus, when treating scars you will achieve maximum effect.

How long does it take for a cut on a finger to heal?

In the section Diseases, Medicines to the question How long does it take for a deep cut on a finger with a knife to heal? The best answer given by the author Nadegda is The bandage will have to be removed. Otherwise, the blood and lymph under the patch form a breeding ground for microorganisms. treat with peroxide and brilliant green. Pull the edges together and apply a bandage. Do the dressing once a day. If the bandage sticks to the wound, soak it in peroxide or furatsilin. It will heal in about 4-5 days.

Sorry it's late, I was busy away from the computer. Technically, it looks like this: bend your finger slightly so that the skin is not stretched, then the edges of the wound will come together and apply a tight bandage. You need to bandage the entire finger, covering both joints (so that the finger does not bend) Something like this. Get well.

It's not the same for everyone. It depends on the body.

Pour streptocide (powder or crushed tablet) into the wound and everything will heal quickly (in 3 days), leaving a small invisible scar as a keepsake.

1) REMOVE the adhesive plaster, otherwise the wound will fester!

2) Treat the wound with hydrogen peroxide, lubricate the edges of the wound (healthy skin) with brilliant green.

3) Sprinkle the wound with streptocide powder. Streptocide powder in 2 g bags can be bought at the pharmacy.

4) Apply a bandage to your finger.

If the wound begins to bleed profusely, sprinkle coarse salt onto the wound and apply pressure to the wound. The salt can be changed several times. (Salt will not hurt or cause irritation).

hello, I was opening a jar of pickles and the neck of the jar split, my hand slipped and cut my first and second fingers, hit a passing artery, lost a lot of blood, they put 12 stitches, but they couldn’t sew the tendon, now 2 fingers don’t work, the stitches were removed but the cut started it diverges, we covered it with streptocide, then dried it with brilliant green, the wound remains with blood discharge and so on, there is no pus. what can be done in this situation.

I have never wounded the skin so deeply that it reached the tendon, but it was still unpleasant, of course. In principle, Argosulfan cream is always available in the first aid kit for such cases. This is an antibacterial drug that provides protection against infection. Thanks to the silver ions in its composition, it has a dual effect - antimicrobial and healing without the formation of a rough scar. It always helps, by the way!

I have the same thing on the index finger of my left hand, the outer part. I cut myself about half a year ago, but the scar still remains as if I cut my finger 3 days ago.