
We often hear that letting a cut dry out and scab over is the best way to heal it, however could this ‘common belief’ actually be slowing recovery and raising infection risks?
New research reveals that almost two-thirds of Australians cling to this myth, with nearly half changing plasters daily and disrupting the natural healing process.
4ZZZ's Eliot Rifkin chatted with Karen Carter, a pharmacist and owner of Carter’s Pharmacy (Gunnedah) about some common misconceptions on wound care which can slow recovery and sometimes increase the risk of infection.
For a deep dive...
Here is Karen Carter's Pharmacy's website and Instagram.
Acquaint yourself with the different types of wounds, so you know when to use which dressing for each type of wound as well as the basics in wound care management and burns. Here's 2 articles on how often to change a wound dressing? Are you current with your tetanus shot booster?
As we age, we all need to learn how to take care of our aging skin, as well as understanding and treating a 'skin tear' or mitigating skin tears with moisturisers.
Can you recognise when your wound is getting infected or what an infection is? What is the best ointment types for a particular wound situation? Can you self-treat or is it time to come into the Emergency Room or time to visit your GP.

Your 11AM Zedlines with Asha, Ava and Yuchen (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Your 10AM Zedlines with Charlie, Dan and Ethan (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Your 9AM Zedlines with Asha, Ava and Yuchen (Image via Flickr)

Your 8AM Zedlines with Charlie, Dan and Ethan (Image via Flickr)

Your 9AM Zedlines with Eden, Em, Vivek, and Alec

Your 8AM Zedlines with Alec, Eden, and Em

Your 11AM Zedlines with Lachlan and Hailey.

Your 10AM Zedlines with Cass and Georgie

Your 9AM Zedlines with Lachlan and Hailey

Your 8AM Zedlines with Cass and Georgie.
Image Credit: NASA

Your 11AM Zedlines with Livinia and Mack

Your 10AM Zedlines with Livinia and Mack

Your 10am Zedlines with Stella, Eden, Sarah and Vivek.

Your 9am Zedlines with Eden, Vivek and Sarah.

Your 8am Zedlines with Stella, Sarah and Vivek.

Your 11AM Zedlines with Lachlan and Hailey

Your 10AM Zedlines with Cass and Georgie.

Your 9AM Zedlines with Lachlan and Hailey.
Image Credit: youngestchild, Flickr

Your 8AM Zedlines with Hailey, Cass, Lachlan and Georgie.
Image credit: Kai Stachowiak

Your 11AM Zedlines with Clementine and Livinia

Your 10AM Zedlines with Clementine and Livinia

Your 9AM Zedlines with Livinia, Mack and Clementine

Your 8AM Zedlines with Clementine and Livinia
IMG: From Wikimedia Under CC3.0

Your 11AM Zedlines with Miko, Niamh and Sarah
Image via Wage Peace

Your 10am Zedlines with Miko, Niamh & Sarah. (IMG: Via Wikimedia Commons)

Your 9AM Zedlines with Sarah, Niamh & Miko. (Image via Ben Pennings)

Your 11AM Zedlines with Charlie and Yuchen (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Your (messy) 10AM Zedlines with Asha, Ava and Dan (Images via Wikimedia Commons)