How To Clean Maggots From A Human Wound

pets

Image: Unsplash

With the monsoon season upon us, our pets are at higher risks to contract fungal or bacterial infections. Their exposure to ticks and fleas while on a walk and open wounds, if any, might attract an unwanted infestation.

Minor cuts and bruises caused by running, playing or roughing up with their four-legged friends can be treated at home without a vet's supervision. However, even after consistent treatment of wounds, if it still persists, it is advised to consult the veterinarian.

Use Water For Cleaning The Wound

The first step in treating bites, wounds or gashes at home is to clean and disinfect the area. The best way to do so is by running cold water in and around the wound so that it flushes out dirt and grime that may cause further complications.

Post that, use a medicated povidone solution like Betadine to disinfect the wound further using a cotton ball. Your pet might not be welcome to you touching his/her injury, in which case, use an Elizabethan collar or a muzzle to keep them from biting or distracting you.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide

While excessive usage of hydrogen peroxide can destroy the fibroblasts – cells that are responsible for healing wounds – minimal usage can very much help push out small maggot-infested wounds.

On pouring hydrogen peroxide in the wounds, it immediately froths and pushes out maggots or any kind of infestation from the injury. Post which, you can continue the dressing with the application of tincture iodine or povidone solutions and close the wound.

This will suffocate any remaining maggots, if any, which can then be removed in the next dressing cycle.

Turmeric Is The Best Antiseptic

pets-02

Image: Unsplash

As we all know the myriad benefits of turmeric, it is fortunately not just restricted to humans. Turmeric is an immensely useful antiseptic for pets as well.

You can directly apply turmeric on the wounds abundantly after cleaning it with water and peroxide. This acts as the best natural medicine.

Apply Wound Spray

Once you have adequately cleaned the wound, you need to cover it with either an ointment usually Neosporin or a wound healing spray that repels fleas and flies.

The pungent odour of the spray and ointment does the trick. Besides keeping flies at bay, they also aid in healing the wound faster be it a minor cut, abrasion or a bite wound. Some sprays also promote collagenization or replacement of tissue or fibrin by collagen, thus forming a new layer of skin over the wound.

These are some of the steps that work pretty well on minor wounds; however, if you notice your pet is not responding well, or the wound is just not healing, it is best advised to visit his/her veterinarian.

Also Read:Pets' Skin Health Needs To Be Taken Care Of Too

Subscribe to our YouTube channel