Summer is a good time for swimming to refresh your body and to feel better. But safety is essential during swimming, whether in a sterilized pool. One of the important things to keep in mind is to care for wounds when swimming. Wounds should be protected from infection or further damage due to water. Covering your wound while it is still healing must be protected while you swim to avoid any harm from using a bandage or anything else. Waterproof bandages are good items to have in a first aid kit to avoid infection of wounds due to swimming.
Is it okay to swim after covering your wounds?
Swimming with wounds and cuts is fine if you properly cover your wound. But still, it is not good to go swimming with large injuries. You have to clean and cover your wound before going swimming to avoid infection. If you have more than one superficial wound, it is not suitable to go swimming, especially with open wounds. Many options are available to cover an injury, like film dressing, but consulting with someone is better. But it would be best if you used a solution to cover the wound that allows your skin to breathe.
Why should you cover wounds when swimming?
An open injury risks getting infected if you do not care for it. It’s vital to keep your wound clean to avoid bacteria. Covering your injury when swimming is the best thing to do because it prevents microorganisms that can cause infections. You should also take proper care while in a chlorinated, clean pool. Sometimes it is difficult to expose a healing wound to water, even if it is a smaller wound, so you should cover it. Water exposure for a long time can also cause your skin to dry out and affect wound healing.
What should you do first when you have to go swimming with wounds?
Before going swimming, it is good to check the water’s condition. As chlorine is good for keeping water clean, when it comes to its effect on wounds, it will have no difference from normal water. And it would be best to cover your wound with a plaster bandage before swimming. Outdoor pools have different types of water, so you should check the condition of the water.
Method to make a wound waterproof for swimming
If you want to cover your wound with something waterproof, you can use tape or a waterproof bandage. This will be beneficial to defend against water and microorganisms that can irritate. These solutions are much better at defending your wound than petroleum jelly.
Cover your wound by following these steps:
1. Protect your damage with tape or a waterproof bandage
By covering your wound, you must ensure that airflow to this area is not cut off. By using too many layers, you have to be sure of that. Air circulation should be present for proper healing. Plus, it is good to allow excess fluid, like pus that has built up, to drain out of the open wounds without trapping it under any covering that can cause infections.
2. Make sure the outermost layer of covering is wicking and not cotton
As water comes into contact with the wound due to the cotton base fabric, the cotton fabric sucks up moisture. So a material like nylon or polyester allows for good transfer of perspiration away from your skin to keep it dry. Hence, absorbent wound dressings are not a good idea to use for swimming.
3. Wash the area immediately if required
If your wound comes into contact with chlorinated pool water, wash it immediately with fresh water before the wound dries. And avoid using alcohol on a fresh wound because it has many disadvantages.
4. Choose the better option that provides the maximum benefits
Get a waterproof seal for your wound to help keep water out and protect your injury from chemicals, bacteria, and harmful things. Some chemicals can irritate the skin and also slow the healing process.
5. Consult a doctor for a specific wound
You can consult your doctor to get the best solution if you have a major injury. Get the option that causes less irritation because less irritation is better while swimming.
When should you not swim with a wound?
If your wound is larger than one, you should not go swimming. Also, if you have open sores or other damage, you should avoid swimming. If the wound is bleeding and red, avoid swimming. If your wound has stitches and your skin is sensitive, the wound is on your head or face, and you have an ear infection, do not go swimming.
Waterproof plasters
Regular adhesive dressings are not appropriate to protect your wound if they come into contact with chemicals. Always ensure a suitable covering before entering a chlorinated environment or outdoor pool. Swimming pools are not good for wound healing, so the wound should be covered by a waterproof bandage. Waterproof plasters are used as waterproof bandages to protect from the liquid in the pool. Moreover, waterproof plasters are used to protect injuries from exposure to chemicals in pools. They can be used over wounds and cuts to keep them dry during bathing and swimming.
- The important thing you should do before applying plaster is to make sure your wound is dry.
- You can apply a layer of antiseptic cream over the wound surface where you need to place your plaster. But it is better to use a cream after consulting a doctor.
- Do not rub the area to prevent irritation.
Many brands make waterproof plasters like Elastoplast. The instructions for applying them should come with the purchase. A waterproof plaster prevents contact with water and allows you to swim without fear of infection or irritation. Most of the time, these plasters are flexible and not affected by water.
Will waterproof bandages stay on while swimming?
A waterproof bandage is built to stay on through washing, bathing, and swimming while letting air in for comfort and care. To keep your skin from turning white, microscopic channels that keep water out and allow wounds to breathe are good. They also provide an optimal healing environment.
Can waterproof bandages keep out bacteria?
As waterproof bandages protect against most harmful things, they are also good for preventing infections. If you do not clean your wound and do not clean it soon, the wound will have a greater chance of becoming infected. A waterproof bandage will cover the wound, and it will be helpful to avoid microorganisms coming into contact with the wound, like bacteria.
Can waterproof bandages prevent infection?
Water has microorganisms like bacteria and other germs that can lead to infection. So a waterproof bandage will prevent infection by preventing these micrograms from entering your body. So, in short, covering a wound is good for preventing infections.
Wrap up
Before spending time in the water, it is good to waterproof your wound. Waterproofing is vital to keeping the wound clean and reducing the chances of infection. There are several ways to cover the wound, but the important thing is that the injury is completely dry when you apply any waterproofing product. Apply a suitable bandage to limit the chance of more damage and infection. You should consult a doctor if required.
