Can I use wound care cream for redness and swelling

There is no absolute "can" or "cannot" to this question. It depends on whether the redness and swelling are a physiological response to normal wound healing or a pathological manifestation of infection. The practical recommendations do differ in different scenarios.

I have been working in community surgical dressing rooms for almost 5 years, and I have met too many people holding half a tube of nursing cream and asking this question. Last week, a junior high school student fell on the plastic track while running and his knee was scratched. The next day after disinfection, there was a circle of light red around the wound, and the swelling was not obvious. There was no pus or water, but it was a little painful when touched. This is a normal inflammatory reaction during the wound healing period. , at this time, it is absolutely okay to apply wound care ointment of regular mechanical size. It can also form a thin protective film on the surface of the wound, which can not only block external dust and bacteria, but also maintain a moist healing environment. The probability of leaving scars is much lower than leaving it open to dry scabs. I have seen many skin care bloggers say before that "you should not apply nursing cream as long as there is redness or swelling, for fear of suffocating the wound." In fact, for minor redness and swelling that is not infected, applying a thin layer will not make the wound suffocating at all. On the contrary, it can reduce the irritation of friction from clothes and heal faster.

Of course, there are cases where you absolutely cannot apply it, so don’t get confused. Last month, a lady who owns a restaurant cut her fingertips while cutting vegetables. She didn't take it seriously at first. When she saw that the wound was red and swollen, she just applied the celebrity care cream she had at home. On the third day, it was so swollen that she couldn't even put on rubber gloves. When she came to change the dressing, her fingertips were red and shiny, and when she squeezed out, there was yellowish-white purulent secretion. This kind of disease has already occurred. If there is redness or swelling caused by infection, you must not apply ordinary wound care ointments casually, especially ointments with strong occlusive properties. Applying them is equivalent to sealing the bacteria in the wound and multiplying, which will aggravate the infection. In this case, you must first clean up the purulent secretions and use anti-infective ointments as directed by your doctor.

If you are not sure at home, first check two bottom lines: first, the redness and swelling range does not exceed 1 cm around the wound, and whether it is expanding day by day; second, whether there is pus, hot to the touch, or even throbbing pain. If there is no pus, just light redness and slight swelling, then feel free to use it. Before applying, remember to wipe the wound clean with iodophor or normal saline, and apply a thin layer and do not apply it too thickly. By the way, don’t blindly buy those so-called “universal care creams” with consumer brands or makeup brands. Many of them secretly add bacteriostatic agents or even hormones, which can easily irritate wounds and induce allergies. It is much safer to choose medical models with registered mechanical brands.