How should you clean a laceration before applying a dressing?

Gently rinsing the wound with saline or clean water is the appropriate method for cleaning a laceration before applying a dressing. This approach is beneficial because it helps to remove debris, dirt, and potential contaminants from the wound, reducing the risk of infection. Saline or clean water is typically isotonic and less likely to irritate the tissue or cause additional damage compared to other cleaning methods.

Using alcohol wipes, scrubbing vigorously with soap, or applying antiseptic ointment can all pose risks. Alcohol and other antiseptics may cause stinging or irritation and can damage the delicate tissue of the laceration. Scrubbing with soap is often too abrasive and can impair the healing process by further traumatizing the wound. Therefore, rinsing with saline or clean water is the safest and most effective method for initial wound care.