Salt bath for wound care

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When it comes to wound care, you do not need drastic measures since a tested and proven remedy is readily available at home. If an individual sustained a wound or injury, timely treatment is vital to promote and hasten the healing process. One way to keep a wound sterile and promote healing is to soak it in a salt bath.

Take note that the solution will clean the flesh that has been exposed, making sure that it will heal properly. Do not forget that salt also detoxifies the body while at the same time replenishing the proteins in the brain and joints.

Steps on using a salt bath for wounds

Salt bath
Wring out excess water from the gauze and place it on the wound. Secure the gauze using elastic or synthetic gauze on the soaked gauze to prevent it from sopping.
  • You have to take out any foreign debris and dirt from the cut that you can grip using your fingers or a pair of tweezers. Avoid taking out all particles that are too small since lengthy interaction with the exposed flesh can increase the risk for infection, thus disrupting the healing process. The remaining debris and dirt can eventually work out of the wound during the salt bath.
  • Avoid unwanted contact with the wound before the salt bath. Do not wash the affected area with soap, water or antibacterial ointments.
  • A bathtub must be filled with warm water. You have to prepare the salt bath using a cup of Epsom or Dead Sea salt. Mix the water until the salt completely dissolves.
  • The individual must drink one or two glasses of water that is unsalted while waiting for the salt in the bathtub to completely dissolve. Take note that increasing the concentration of salt outside the body can lead to the leaching out of water from the body, thus resulting to dehydration. This is why drinking water is a must before the salt bath.
  • Assist the individual into the bathtub gently. Instruct him/her to position appropriately so that the wound is fully exposed to the water if possible. Allow him/her to soak in the salt bath for 12-20 minutes.
  • After soaking, pat the individual using a towel. Blot the wound gently and drain the bath water. In case the individual needs another salt bath, you have to prepare a new one since each salt bath must be fresh.
  • Using 2 cups of fresh water, add 2 tablespoons of Dead Sea salt or Epsom salt. Mix until the salt dissolves entirely. Soak gauze into the solution.
  • Wring out excess water from the gauze and place it on the wound. Secure the gauze using elastic or synthetic gauze on the soaked gauze to prevent it from sopping. Leave in place between the baths unless there is drainage from the wound that would surely require changing. You can store the solution in the refrigerator up to four days.

The individual can take a salt bath two times in a day until the wound heals. The gauze with the solution must be removed before every bath.

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