For acute minor abrasions and small shallow wounds, polysporin and neomycin ointments speeds wound healing by several days (8.2 and 9.2 days vs 13.3 days for no treatment). Wounds treated with hydrogen peroxide and iodine delay healing (14.3 and 15.7 days) and use of these agents is not recommended. Be sure to consult your physician or seek medical attention before starting any treatment.

Treatment for acute minor abrasions and small shallow wounds (for all lacerations seek medical attention immediately)

• Irrigate the abrasion or shallow wound with tap water under pressure for 3-5 minutes. Pouring water over a wound or using a bulb syringe does not generate enough force for adequate cleaning. There is no difference in bacterial counts in wounds irrigated with sterile normal saline and those with tap water; the mechanical action of irrigating the wound under pressure is more important than the type of solution itself. In addition to irrigation, you may clean an abrasion with gentle soap and water.
• Apply polysporin ointment to wound. Cover with a sterile dressing and bandage. Continue to apply polysporin twice-a-day until wound has healed, about 8-10 days.
• Do not use detergents or disinfectants, (iodine, hydrogen peroxide) to clean your wound, since this may cause tissue damage and impair healing and resistance to infection.
• Do not soak the wound.

MD alert

• Seek immediate medical attention for complicated wounds such as those with embedded gravel or glass, those from bites (human, dog, cat etc), puncture wounds, lacerations and large surface area wounds.
• For all lacerations, go immediately to the Emergency Room. Do not wait! For wounds great than 6-8 hours, your physician may not suture them because of increased risk of infection. If you wait too long to seek medical attention, the wound will have to heal open requiring several weeks to fully heal and will result in a larger scar.
• Make sure your tetanus is up-to-date. Generally your last tetanus vaccination should be within 10 years, but for a dirty, tetanus-prone wound it should be within 5 years. Tetanus vaccination must be given within 72 hours of the injury to be effective.
• If you are immunocompromised, diabetic, on steroids or have had a splenectomy seek medical attention immediately as you may need to be placed on oral antibiotics.
• If your wound develops redness, drainage, swelling, worsening pain, or if you develop a fever seek medical attention immediately as this may be a sign of infection.
• If your wound does not improve after several days consult your physician.
• History of medication allergies must be considered before use of any ointment to prevent an allergic reaction.