Summer is the best time for swimming, whether you go to your local pool, take a trip to the beach or even enjoy some wild swimming. Whether you’re swimming in the great outdoors or in a sterilised pool, doing so safely is vital. One of the things to keep in mind is how to care for wounds when swimming, and protect them from infection or further injury. Waterproof plasters and bandages are essential items to have in your first aid kit if you love spending time in the water during the summer. Covering a wound that is still healing protects it while you swim or splash about in the water.
why you need to cover wounds when swimming
An open or healing wound is at risk of becoming infected if not taken care of. it is important to keep it clean, which includes covering it to keep out bacteria. When you go swimming with a healing wound, microorganisms in the water can cause infections, especially when you’re not swimming in a clean, chlorinated pool. Spending a lot of time in the water can also cause the skin to swell, which affects the ability of wounds to heal properly. Sometimes it can also be painful to expose a healing wound to water, even if it’s just a small sting. covering the wound, even when swimming in a treated pool, is the best thing to do.
covering your wound
Using waterproof bandages and bandages to cover wounds will help protect them while you swim so they can heal properly. Before applying a dressing or bandage, it is essential to clean the wound so that no bacteria gets trapped under the dressing or bandage. use clean water, an antibacterial spray, or an antibacterial wipe to clean the wound, and then be sure to dry it too. once the wound is clean and dry, you can wear your preferred waterproof cover for swimming. make sure your hands are clean too when you clean the wound and dress it.
There are many different sizes and shapes of dressings that can help you keep a wound covered while you swim. You need to get a good seal on a cast and try to avoid wrinkles, where water and bacteria can get in. that’s why selecting the right cast can make all the difference. You can find small and large waterproof plasters, in different shapes, and some plasters designed for specific areas, such as the fingers. waterproof fingertip dressings are the perfect size to protect your finger from injury while swimming.
about waterproof plasters
If you wear a waterproof Band-Aid for swimming, it’s usually made of a flexible, waterproof material. they are often transparent, so you don’t have to think about matching the cast to your skin tone. They are durable and also breathable so your wound can continue to heal even when covered. Some waterproof wound dressings feature an antiseptic silver wound pad, which helps further protect the wound. Another advantage of a waterproof dressing is that it not only protects the wound from water. if you go to the beach, you can also make sure to keep the sand away; you definitely don’t want the sand to cut or scrape.
when not to swim
Although swimming with cuts and scrapes is fine if you cover the wound, it’s best not to swim with larger wounds. keeping them clean and avoiding infection is vital, and can be more difficult to do if you have more than one small or superficial wound that is already beginning to heal. If you still want to swim or hang out on the beach, there are some options like film wraps. but before jumping into the water, it is best to consult a pharmacist. If you want to protect your wound from infection, you also want to make sure you leave room for the skin to breathe.
check the status of the water
Before you go swimming, it’s also a good idea to think about the water you’ll be swimming in. A chlorinated pool is no different than normal water when it comes to its effect on injuries, although the chlorine helps keep the water clean. Some public pools may ask you not to swim with an open wound or to make sure it is covered with a Band-Aid. if you swim outdoors, the quality of the water can also make a difference. you can check the state of the water if you plan to go to the beach.
Swimming with an open wound should be fine if it’s small and you protect it with a waterproof band-aid. before you dive or start paddling, be sure to protect any injuries you have.
