Instructions for wound care of ulcerated infantile hemangiomas
Instructions for wound care of ulcerated infantile hemangiomas
Cleaning
Apply a pea-size amount of lidocaine-numbing ointment (if prescribed) to ulceration 20 minutes before cleaning the wound. Do not use lidocaine more than 3 times daily.
Gently clean wound with a mild cleanser/wash once daily. Gently rinse with clean water after cleansing. Scabbed area will come off naturally. Do not pull or tug on it.
Cleaning tips:
Do not use wash cloth directly on wound.
You may try 1 of the following:
Gently use fingers to clean the area.
Drizzle soapy water over wound with wash cloth, then rinse by drizzling with clean water.
Use 2 spray bottles, 1 with soapy water and the other with clean water. Gently spritz/spray with soapy water followed by spritz/spray of clean water.
Dressing
Apply thin layer of antibiotic ointment (if ordered) followed by thick layer of plain petroleum jelly.
Use hydrocolloid-type dressing. Leave dressing on for up to 24 hours, if possible; otherwise change it as needed.
Dressing tips:
Applying ointments directly to dressing and not to the wound will reduce pain.
Apply petroleum jelly to dressing first, then prescription ointment on top.
Then place dressing on wound. This way, when the dressing is applied, the medicated ointment is closest to the open skin.