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Can the wound be exposed to water?

In our daily lives, we inevitably encounter various wounds, ranging from small scrapes and cuts to large and deep wounds. For these wounds, we have often heard people say that wounds should not be exposed to water since we were children, otherwise, people will be prone to wound infection. But does this really help the wound heal? Let's take a look with me below!


Wounds can be exposed to water. We must understand the relationship between water and wounds. The water is sterile and does not cause infection. However, when water comes into contact with a wound, it may wash away the scab that has formed, causing new bleeding and pain. Additionally, if the wound is deep or contaminated, exposure to water may introduce bacteria into the wound, increasing the risk of infection.

However, it is not a wise idea to simply avoid exposing wounds to water. In daily life, keeping the wound dry will make the wound more susceptible to infection. Because scab formation requires a certain amount of humidity and temperature, if it is too dry, it may cause the scab to become too hard, which is not conducive to wound recovery.

So, how to properly handle the contact between wounds and water?

1. For those superficial, non-contaminated wounds, such as abrasions, scratches, etc., you can touch the water appropriately after fully cleaning the wound. But be careful not to scrub the wound too hard to prevent the scab from falling off.

2. For deep wounds or wounds with contamination, it is best to touch the water under the guidance of a doctor. Generally speaking, doctors will recommend covering the wound with a functional sterile dressing to prevent bacterial invasion. At the same time, for this type of wound, it is very important to change the dressing regularly and keep the dressing dry.

3. If you are not sure whether a certain type of wound can be exposed to water, it is best to seek advice from a doctor or professional caregiver. They can give professional advice based on the type, depth, and recovery of the wound.

What is the principle of wet wound healing?

Moist healing means using wound dressings to keep the wound moist using a closed or semi-closed method, increasing cell growth and migration speed, accelerating wound healing, and preventing scab formation. The principle is as follows:

(1) Maintain the hypoxic state of the local microenvironment of the wound and promote the formation of capillaries.

(2) Conducive to the dissolution of necrotic tissue and fibrin.

(3) Retain active substances in exudate and promote the release of active substances.

(4) Conducive to cell proliferation, differentiation and migration.

(5) Reduce the chance of infection.

(6) Keep the wound surface moist and reduce pain.


There is no fixed answer to the question of whether a wound can be exposed to water. When treating wounds, we should consider a variety of factors, including the type and depth of the wound, recovery status, and the doctor's advice. At the same time, maintaining good living and dietary habits is also an important factor in promoting wound healing.

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Editor: kiki Jia

Date: October 28, 2022