Seven wound care myths worth unlearning
Some of the most confidently repeated advice about wounds is simply out of date.
Wound care advice passes down through families and lags decades behind the evidence. These are the ones worth correcting.
1. "Let it breathe"
Covered wounds heal faster and scar less than those left to dry out. See our guide on moist wound healing.
2. "Put antiseptic on it"
Strong antiseptics damage the cells trying to repair the wound. Clean water or saline is better for routine cleaning.
3. "It needs to scab over"
A thick dry scab is a sign the wound was left to dry, not a sign of good healing.
4. "Blow on it to clean it"
Breath carries bacteria directly onto the wound.
5. "Butter on a burn"
Traps heat and has to be cleaned off later, which hurts. Cool running water for twenty minutes.
6. "If it does not hurt, it is not serious"
Deep burns are often painless because the nerve endings are destroyed. Numbness is a red flag, not reassurance.
7. "Tetanus jabs last for life"
They do not. If you cannot remember when you were last covered, ask after any dirty wound.
See a pharmacist, GP or urgent care if a wound will not stop bleeding after ten minutes of firm pressure, is deep or gaping, was caused by something dirty or rusty, contains anything you cannot flush out, or shows spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus or a fever. Get help urgently for animal or human bites, wounds over a joint, and any wound in someone with diabetes or poor circulation.
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FitMedix products are CE-marked medical devices intended for the care of minor wounds. This site does not provide medical advice — seek professional help for deep, dirty or non-healing wounds, or if signs of infection appear. Always read the instructions on the pack.