Tips for Waterproofing a Wound While Swimming

Swimming is one of the most exciting water activities, even if it isn’t summer. Everybody wants to take a dip to refresh their body and soul once in a while (except during winter). However, some things, such as wounds, can stop you from enjoying the beach or the pool.

You will want to know how to waterproof a wound for swimming if you want to enjoy the beach. It’s best to keep it secure and free from bacteria that come from the water to avoid any problems, such as infections. An infection can make your wound worse and, in some cases, even dangerous, which is why some people avoid swimming to prevent getting their wounds soaked. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

Don’t let your wound stop you from enjoying any water activity! Check out the top tips for waterproofing your wounds while swimming below.

Why Do You Need to Cover Your Wounds When Swimming?

Covering your wounds can protect them from further injury or getting infected while swimming. Since swimming pools and beaches have a lot of bacteria, it’s best to be proactive and ensure that the bacteria won’t get in your wound and make it worse.

Keeping your wound clean can keep the bacteria out. Microorganisms in the water can still infect a healing wound, so it’s highly advised not to take some chances. Also, ensure the first-aid kit with bandages and plasters for emergencies, such as sudden cuts or injuries while swimming.

Tips to Waterproof Your Wound While Swimming

Having a healing wound can prevent you from doing a lot of things. But don’t worry, you can still enjoy the beach as long as you’re careful! Below are some of the best tips for waterproofing your wound effectively.

Apply antibiotic

One hour before entering the water, applying an antibiotic cream on your wound is best to prevent any bacterial infection, even if water can get inside your bandage.

Appropriately dress the wound before swimming

The first thing you need to do is to dress your wounds correctly. Make sure you find the right dressing accessories and know the proper dressing application because water can seep inside the wound and cause damage if you fail to do both.

While dressing your wound, it’s also best to provide a bit of airflow because too much pressure can reopen the wound while slowing down its healing process. It would help if you also avoided absorbent wound dressings since they can soak the wound dressing. Therefore, drenching the wound underneath.

The best option is to cover your wound with a waterproof plaster because they are designed to protect the wound fully. These also have a tight tape seal for the edges. The seal ensures that no water can penetrate the wound, which keeps it safe and dry.

Apart from water, it keeps chemicals out too. So it’s also an ideal choice for swimming in pools filled with chemicals like chlorine. These chemicals can irritate your wound, which slows down the healing process.

Seal the waterproof plasters in place

There will need to be more than waterproof plaster to guarantee that your wound will stay dry. So after applying the waterproof plaster, make sure to seal it in place with surgical tape. Some tapes are made for waterproofing. At the same time, they are easy to remove.

With the proper dressing and tape, your wound can stay dry and free from bacteria. Make sure to keep your wound and dressing clean throughout the day. Also, remember to check on your dressing from time to time. Sometimes, you won’t notice that your wound is already wet, so keep an eye on it!

Make sure the outer layer is wicking & not cotton

After sealing the wound, you can cover it with another layer. However, make sure it’s wicking and not cotton. Cotton can absorb moisture, which can easily seep into your wound if the plaster ever comes off.

Nylon and polyester are preferred since these allow for better perspiration away from the skin. Therefore, the skin is kept dry underneath.

When Not to Swim with a Wound

Even though you believe that you can thoroughly waterproof your wound before jumping in for a swim, there are some things you need to be wary about and understand when it’s the perfect time to swim and when it isn’t.

• Don’t swim if you have open wounds and sores
• If your wound is red
• If your wound is still bleeding
• If your wound has stitches, avoid swimming and wait until the doctor can take it off
• If your wound is located on your head or face
• Don’t swim if you have an ear infection to avoid any complications
• If your skin is too sensitive or fragile and you have a wound at the same time

The best time to swim is when your wound is healing and there are no signs of infection. But even then, following the tips above on waterproofing a wound is necessary to secure its proper healing.

Checking the Water Condition Before Swimming

Before swimming, it’s necessary to check the condition of the water since you want to ensure that it’s safe and not swimming with bacteria. For instance, lakes, beaches, and rivers can cause injuries such as cuts, which can easily be contaminated if the area is not clean.

You will want to clean it up immediately and apply first-aid to prevent any infection. Tetanus is a common infection, which can be severe if you don’t clean your wounds correctly. Therefore, it’s best to determine whether the water is clean and safe for swimming with a wound. The decision is still yours, after all.

Waterproofing is the Key Before Taking a Refreshing Dip

Having a wound shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the water. You can swim anytime you want if you sufficiently cover it with suitable plasters or bandages.

Follow the tips above to prevent infections, and you can have a great time in the water with little to no worries. At the same time, find all the wound care items you need at Medical Monks. It’s best if you’re one step ahead when caring for your wounds.