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Disaster Wound Care Guide

After a natural disaster like a hurricane, the risk of injury is high due to flood waters and standing waters that can cause infectious diseases, chemical hazards, and wounds. It is important to promptly care for small wounds to prevent infection by washing hands and wounds thoroughly with soap and clean water if possible, avoiding direct touching of wounds, removing jewelry or clothing from injured areas, and applying pressure to control bleeding. Seek immediate medical care if a wound shows signs of infection like redness, swelling, or oozing.

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78 views1 page

Disaster Wound Care Guide

After a natural disaster like a hurricane, the risk of injury is high due to flood waters and standing waters that can cause infectious diseases, chemical hazards, and wounds. It is important to promptly care for small wounds to prevent infection by washing hands and wounds thoroughly with soap and clean water if possible, avoiding direct touching of wounds, removing jewelry or clothing from injured areas, and applying pressure to control bleeding. Seek immediate medical care if a wound shows signs of infection like redness, swelling, or oozing.

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Rahma
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Emergency Wound Care

After a Natural Disaster


The risk for injury during and after a hurricane and other natural disasters is high. Flood waters and
standing waters pose various risks, including infectious diseases, chemical hazards and injuries.
Prompt first aid can help heal small wounds and prevent infection.

Take the following steps to Take care of wounds:


protect yourself and your family: • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean
water, if possible.
• Avoid touching the wound with your fingers while
treating it (if possible, use disposable gloves).
Avoid contact with flood waters if you • Remove obstructive jewelry and clothing from the
have an open wound. injured body part.
• Apply direct pressure to any bleeding wound to
control bleeding.
Keep open wounds as clean as possible • Clean the wound after bleeding has stopped.
by washing thoroughly with soap and »» Examine wounds for dirt and
clean water. foreign objects.
»» Gently flood the wound with bottled
water or clean running water (if
Cover clean, open wounds with a available, saline solution is preferred).
waterproof bandage to reduce chance of »» Gently clean around the wound with
infection. soap and clean water.
»» Pat dry and apply an adhesive
bandage or dry clean cloth.
Seek immediate medical care if a wound • Leave unclean wounds, bites and punctures open.
develops redness, swelling, or oozing Wounds that are not cleaned correctly can trap
or other signs of working infection such bacteria and result in infection.
as fever, increasing pain, shortness of • Provide pain relievers when possible.
breath, fast heart rate, or confusion or • Review the wound every 24 hours.
disorientation, high heart rate.

Seek medical attention as soon as possible if:


• There is a foreign object (soil, wood, metal, or other If you have wounds, you should
objects) embedded in the wound; be evaluated for a tetanus
• A wound is a result of an animal bite; immunization. If you receive
a puncture wound or a
• A wound is a result of a puncture by a dirty object;
wound contaminated with
• The wound is infected (pain and soreness, swelling, feces, soil, or saliva, have
redness, draining, or you develop a fever); a health care professional
• You have signs of sepsis such as confusion or determine whether a tetanus
disorientation, shortness of breath, high heart rate, booster is necessary based on
fever or shivering, extreme pain or discomfort or individual records.
clammy or sweaty skin.

For more information visit:


www.cdc.gov/disasters/woundcare.html
CS285676-A October 26, 2017
CS 283563

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