University of California, Santa Cruz Student Health Services
WOUND CARE INSTRUCTIONS
NEW WOUNDS
Cuts, abrasions and other broken skin heal best when the wound is kept clean and dry. New
injuries should be washed well with soap and water and scrubbed with clean washcloth or
gauze if dirt and gravel are present. A little antibiotic ointment (Polysporin or double antibiotic
ointment) may help prevent infection. Cover broken skin with clean bandage and change
bandage if it becomes wet or soiled.
INFECTED WOUNDS OR “BUG BITES”
Pimples, blisters or injured skin that becomes increasingly red and warm, or has pus coming
from the area may be infected. Some infections are so minor that keeping clean and dry and
watching for a day or two may be enough to let your body do the healing. When symptoms
increase despite care or are suddenly worsening, the injury requires professional evaluation
and treatment.
MEDICAL INTERVENTION FOR INFECTIONS
When a medical professional evaluates a wound, s/he will discuss with you the pros and cons of
treating with antibiotics. Since antibiotics have become so commonly used, some bacteria have
built up resistance to the most commonly used antibiotics. When a wound is clearly infected or
a skin infection develops spontaneously, the clinician will want to take a sample of the
discharge and send it to the lab to determine what bacteria is growing and which antibiotic is
the most appropriate. Since this lab process takes several days, you may be given a
prescription to start immediately. You will be asked to come back in a day or two to re-evaluate
the wound, pending the final culture results. When the results return, you may have your
antibiotic changed if necessary. It is critical that all the medication prescribed is taken to
prevent further development of antibiotic resistance of the bacteria. Side effects from
medication are usually minor, but should be discussed with pharmacist or clinician before
stopping the medication.
TREATMENT OF SKIN INFECTIONS
• Follow instructions carefully for taking medication if any prescribed
• Keep in contact with Health Center staff if infection is getting worse or there are
problems with your medication
• Keep wounds covered and dispose of soiled bandages properly
• Wash hands often to prevent the spread to other parts of your body
• Protect roommates, family and lovers by not sharing personal items and informing
them to seek care if they get suspicious skin infection
• If you have a complication with your medication or your infection becomes more
serious when the Health Center is closed, seek care at a local Urgent Care Clinic or
Emergency Room
MRSA (pronounced MERSAH)
HC: 790(9/08) Wound Care Instructions Health Education
University of California, Santa Cruz Student Health Services
At this point, we may suspect or know that your infection is caused by MRSA. Methcillin
resistant Staph aureus (MRSA) has received much attention in the media of late. This is a
situation where common bacteria have developed resistance to Methcillin, as well as most
other oral antibiotics. Appropriate treatment and monitoring are very important, as this
infection occasionally requires hospitalization and the administration of intravenous
antibiotics. We are seeing infections like this happening in all communities, but it is of
particular concern in college life with shared showers, towels, clothes, and close bodily contact
in sports and sexual activity. To prevent the spread of MRSA bacteria to or from other people,
good hygiene is important.
FURTHER PRECAUTIONS FOR PATIENTS WITH MRSA
• Inform roommates or others with close physical contact to seek care if they get a
suspicious skin infection
• No sports or use of the Fitness Center until wounds are completely healed
• Team athletes must inform their coach or trainer so precautions can be taken for the
rest of the team
• Housecleaning with industrial cleaning solutions or household bleach 1 part to 10 parts
water should decontaminate floors, tubs, sinks, etc.
• If you have a complication with your medication or your infection becomes more serious
when the Health Center is closed, seek care at a local Urgent Care Clinic or Emergency
Room. Occasionally, patients require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics as this
infection may spread from superficial skin to deeper tissue and organs. Publicity
surrounding highly unusual cases which resulted in death reminds us how important it
is to have these infections followed closely.
PREVENTION
• Do not share personal items such as razors, towels, washcloths, or even clothes or
bedding without washing.
• Maintain your environment at home so that frequently touched surfaces are sanitized
regularly
• Sanitize equipment in shared gymnasiums before use and wear flip-flops in public
showers and bathrooms
• Use liquid soap, not bar soap in shared bathrooms. Hand sanitize if no soap and water
nearby
• Care for wounds and injuries so they are covered and protected from bacteria
• Ask roommates and team mates with skin infections to take precautions to protect you
and others from contact by following the advice given above.
AVOID THE 5 C’s:
• Crowding
• Contact (skin to skin)
• Compromised skin (ie uncovered cuts/abrasions)
• Contaminated items
• Cleanliness not up to standard
For updated information: check online at www.cdc.gov and search for MRSA
HC: 790(9/08) Wound Care Instructions Health Education