Wound Care Recommendations

Evidence-Based Wound Cleaning Approach

Irrigate wounds thoroughly with large volumes of warm or room-temperature potable tap water with or without soap until no foreign matter remains, as recommended by the American Heart Association, with cold water being equally effective but less comfortable for patients 1
If running water is unavailable, use any source of clean water, according to the American Heart Association guidelines 1

The American Heart Association recommends simple water irrigation over chemical agents for routine wound care 1
No major wound care guidelines, including the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot, the American Heart Association, and the World Journal of Emergency Surgery, recommend hydrogen peroxide as a standard wound cleaning agent 2, 3, 1, 4

Irrigate with copious tap water or normal saline to remove debris and contaminants, as recommended by the American Heart Association 1
Apply antibiotic ointment or cream only for abrasions or superficial injuries, if no allergies, according to the American Heart Association guidelines 1
Cover with clean occlusive dressing to promote healing and reduce infection, as recommended by the American Heart Association 1

For diabetic foot ulcers, perform sharp debridement to remove necrotic tissue as standard of care, according to the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot 5
For thermal burns, cool with cold tap water immediately and continue until pain relieved, as recommended by the American Heart Association 1
Apply non-adherent dressings to denuded dermis for thermal burns, according to the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot 5

Do not use hydrogen peroxide for hemostasis when direct pressure is more effective and safer, as recommended by the American Heart Association 1
Do not delay standard wound care to apply hydrogen peroxide, according to the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot 5
Recognize that traditional use does not equal evidence-based practice, and hydrogen peroxide lacks support in modern wound care guidelines, including those from the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot, the American Heart Association, and the World Journal of Emergency Surgery 2, 3, 1, 4