The American Academy of Dermatology recommends petroleum jelly for keeping a wound moist and to help prevent it from drying out and forming a scab, because they take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.
First, gently clean the skin tear with a sterile water or isotonic saline solution. If it's a smaller and more superficial tear, a gentle soap and water may be used. Then fully cover the tear, but don't use an adhesive bandage directly on the wound.
These sticky bandages can cause fragile skin to tear. If you must dress a skin tear, wrap the wound in a petroleum-based gauze wrap that is non-adhesive. Then, secure the wrap with medical tape.
1-2 weeks until the sutures are removed, then for 1 week after just apply Vaseline. If you hate the bandage, you can go without it, but you must reapply the Vaseline 5-10 times a day, the wound must not dry out. Yes you can Shower: You may wash the site with regular soap and water.
Don't do this to your wounds
Studies show that petroleum jelly is just as effective as an antibiotic ointment for non-infected wounds. Don't douse a minor wound with antiseptics like iodine or hydrogen peroxide. They're actually harmful to the skin and can delay healing.
Petroleum jelly is a thick, waxy paste that many people use as a skin care product and treatment for minor cuts and burns. Other names for petroleum jelly include petrolatum and Vaseline, a common brand name.
Wounds heal faster with Vaseline
In addition to keeping your wound clean, Vaseline offers a protective layer to the wound and stimulates healing by reducing the effects of infection.
Vaseline forms a protective layer that seals the area of your skin where you apply it. This protective barrier facilitates healing and keeps bacteria from invading a wound that's working to heal.
Don't remove the flap of skin over a blister unless it's very dirty or torn or there is pus under it. Gently smooth the flap over the tender skin. You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage.
An uncomplicated skin tear is an acute wound that will go on to heal within approximately 4 weeks.
Vaseline® Petrolatum Gauze is indicated for use on minor burns, skin donor sites, tunneling wounds, staple/suture lines, lacerations, abrasions, skin grafts, skin tears, circumcisions, umbilical bandage and lightly exudating wounds.
Wound Care Step 5: Use Ointment
Gently rub a thin layer of antibiotic ointment like Neosporin or Polysporin over the cut. It won't help you heal faster, but it will keep an infection away. It also lets your skin stay moist.
To save on skin care, dermatologists recommend using petroleum jelly to: Relieve dry skin, including your lips and eyelids. Dry skin can flake, itch, crack and even bleed. Since ointments are more effective and less irritating than lotions, consider applying petroleum jelly to dry skin, including your lips and eyelids.
Use Vaseline® Jelly Under the Eyes
Now that your skin is clean and dry, it's time to apply a moisturizer to the skin that will help keep moisture in and keep skin from drying out. Putting a thin layer of Vaseline® Jelly under the eyes will lock in moisture, and form a protective barrier.
Caring for Scars
One tip for taking care of scars is to use a topical ointment. Cocoa butter cream and Vaseline are most often used to help reduce the appearance of scars. Applying the ointment daily will help heal scars but will not make them invisible.
Vaseline is a very good moisturizer for dry skin. Applying a layer of Vaseline to dry skin helps lock in moisture. Vaseline is great for treating all the usual dry areas, such as the: heels.
Soothing dry skin
The AAD recommend applying Vaseline to parts of the face that are prone to dryness, such as the lips and eyelids. They suggest applying a small amount of Vaseline to slightly damp skin to help seal in moisture.
Petroleum jelly is well tolerated and works well for sensitive skin, which makes it an ideal treatment for eczema flare-ups. Unlike some products that can sting and cause discomfort, petroleum jelly has moisturizing and soothing properties that alleviate irritation, redness, and discomfort.
It has a nourishing and hydrating effect on the skin. It is universal and effective. Vaseline blue seal petroleum jelly is also great for babies as it soothes nappy rash and chaffing to restore your baby's skin. It forms a protective barrier and locks in moisture to heal their skin.
Don't get your wound wet in the bath or shower.
You can keep your wound dry by using a cast/wound protector or using Press-N-Seal plastic wrap to cover the wound area then tape a kitchen trash bag over the wound/dressing. If your wound can't be protected, a sponge bath is recommended.
Vaseline™ Petroleum Jelly Protects cuts, burns, and scrapes. It is a soothing ointment.
The bandage can be changed once a day and this should be continued for two weeks. With each bandage change, repeat steps 3 through 5. moisture provided by the Vaseline.