Basic wound care
The simple supplies for small wounds: plain petrolatum, non-stick dressings or adhesive bandages, and hydrocolloid bandages. The aim is a clean, covered, moist spot while it heals.
Why it helps
Small wounds usually heal faster and with less crusting when they stay clean, covered, and moist rather than left open to dry out. Good care can also lower the chance of infection and of a more noticeable mark afterward.
Look for
- Plain white petrolatum in a small tube or single-use packets
- Non-stick pads and gentle paper or silicone tape
- Hydrocolloid bandages for shallow wounds and picked spots
- Fragrance-free and latex-free if skin is sensitive
- Sterile gauze and a mild cleanser or saline for rinsing
Avoid
- Hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol on a healing wound
- Letting a wound dry out into a hard scab
- Picking at scabs or crusts
Caution
Get seen quickly if you see spreading redness, warmth, increasing pain, pus, red streaks, or fever, or if the wound is deep, gaping, from an animal bite, or will not heal.
Worth asking a clinician about
After a procedure such as a cyst, skin tag, or SK removal, follow the aftercare your clinician gave you, and ask before using anything different.
Products
Vaseline
Healing Jelly Original
Price: low price · Face and body
A plain white petrolatum jelly that forms a protective layer over dry or minor scraped skin.
- NEA Seal
- Fragrance free
- Petrolatum
- Hypoallergenic (brand)
- Non-comedogenic (brand)
Aquaphor
Healing Ointment
Price: medium price · Face and body
A petrolatum-based skin ointment with panthenol and glycerin, with no water, preservatives, or fragrance added.
- Fragrance free
- Petrolatum
- Glycerin
BAND-AID Brand
HYDRO SEAL All Purpose Hydrocolloid Gel Bandages
Price: medium price · Other
Sterile, latex-free hydrocolloid gel bandages that are waterproof and made for minor wounds and blisters.
- Hydrocolloid
Nexcare
Advanced Healing Hydrocolloid Pads
Price: medium price · Other
Sterile, latex-free 3 by 4 inch hydrocolloid gel pads with a water-resistant adhesive for minor wounds.
- Hydrocolloid
Curad
Non-Stick Pads with Adhesive Tabs, 2 x 3 in
Price: low price · Other
Sterile non-stick wound pads with adhesive tabs and a cotton and polyester core, 20 per box.
View product Non-Stick Pads with Adhesive Tabs, 2 x 3 in (opens in a new tab)BAND-AID Brand
Waterproof Clear Adhesive Bandages
Price: low price · Other
Clear, sterile adhesive bandages with a four-sided adhesive that stay on in water.
View product Waterproof Clear Adhesive Bandages (opens in a new tab)
These are products Dr. Haque has reviewed and recommends for different reasons. Unless a product is clearly marked 'Affiliate link,' it is not one. Most are not.