Is it okay to put Aquaphor on an open wound?

Asked by: Prof. Bobbie Gorczany  |  Last update: July 7, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (53 votes)

Apply Vaseline/Aquaphor liberally over the entire wound (NOT Neosporin). 4. Cover the wound with a Band-Aid, or a sterile non-stick gauze pad (Telfa) and surgical tape.

Can you put Aquaphor on an open wound?

Suzuki says using a small amount of plain ointment, such as Aquaphor, with a clean or gloved hand, then covering the wound with a sterile Band-Aid creates a moist environment, perfect for recovery. “It results in the fastest wound healing with minimal scarring. …

Can you put Aquaphor on broken skin?

This product creates a breathable protective barrier over any broken, irritated, or injured skin. It is generally safe to use on any area of the skin.

What is the best ointment for open wounds?

The most common is a triple antibiotic. Bacitracin is a single antibiotic ointment. POLYSPORIN® is the #1 dermatologist recommended for infection protection. NEOSPORIN® is the #1 doctor recommended for infection protection.

What should you not put on an open wound?

Don't do this to your wounds
  1. Don't apply a topical antibiotic. Studies show that petroleum jelly is just as effective as an antibiotic ointment for non-infected wounds.
  2. Don't douse a minor wound with antiseptics like iodine or hydrogen peroxide. They're actually harmful to the skin and can delay healing.

Dermatologist Explains: The Most Common Wound Care Mistakes to Avoid When Dealing with Cuts

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What heals open wounds fast?

An unclean wound may cause a bacterial infection to occur. Once the wound is clean, there are several techniques to speed up the healing process. These include the use of antibacterial ointments, turmeric, aloe vera, garlic, and coconut oil. A person should seek medical help right away if their wound is large.

When should you not use Aquaphor?

Eucerin Aquaphor Repairing Ointment should only be used on re-epithelialized skin (i.e. once new tissue has formed) and not on open, wet or bleeding wounds. Ask your Dermatologist for advice on how long you should wait after treatment before using the product.

Does Aquaphor speed wound healing?

After the surgery, the vacant wound left behind requires proper aftercare for optimal healing. That's where using Aquaphor can help speed the healing process.

Do wounds heal faster, covered or uncovered?

Do Wounds Heal Faster Covered or Uncovered? Wounds do not need air to heal – they need moisture. Leaving your wound uncovered can often dry wounds out, which may slow down the healing process. The best way to heal a cut is to ensure it gets the moisture it needs1.

Can you put Aquaphor on an open burn wound?

Keeping a minor burn moisturized with an SOS care product such as Eucerin Aquaphor Repairing Ointment will help to speed up skin regeneration. The ointment forms a protective barrier over skin which, being semi-occlusive, supports the natural transfer of water vapor and oxygen to and from skin.

When can I put Aquaphor on my incision?

One week after suture removal you may begin to massage the scar using Vaseline or Aquaphor along the suture line. Press your fingers down firmly along the scar line and massage gently. ➢ You may feel some lumpiness along the line due to internal sutures that are dissolving by way of inflammation.

How do you moisturize an open wound?

For moderately dry skin, it is best to use an occlusive moisturizer containing emollients, such as: A&D Ointment: contains Vitamin A, Vitamin D, petrolatum, and lanolin. Lantiseptic: 50% lanolin. Calmoseptine: 0.44% menthol, 20.626% zinc oxide.

What are the side effects of the Aquaphor?

Stinging, burning, irritation, dryness, or redness at the application site may occur. Acne, unusual hair growth, small red bumps on the skin (folliculitis), skin thinning/discoloration, or stretch marks may also occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

What happens if you put Aquaphor on an open wound?

Aquaphor Healing Ointment® protects the skin to enhance the natural healing process and help prevent external irritants from reaching the wound. The minor wound and burn ointment has a sting-free formula that provides soothing relief to minor wounds, cuts, scrapes and burns.

Is Vaseline or Aquaphor better for wounds?

However, because Aquaphor Healing ointment contains panthenol, we recommend using it over Vaseline due to its potential for enhanced healing.

What to put on an open wound?

Remove any dirt or debris with tweezers cleaned with alcohol. See a healthcare professional if you can't remove all debris. Put on an antibiotic or petroleum jelly. Put on a thin layer of an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to keep the surface moist and help prevent scarring.

Do you leave Aquaphor on overnight?

Gently pat hands dry with a clean, dry towel. Apply the Aquaphor Healing Ointment® Cover hands with a pair of 100% cotton gloves to help seal in the moisture overnight.

Is Aquaphor just Vaseline?

But the formulations are a bit different: Vaseline is pure petroleum jelly while Aquaphor contains petroleum jelly plus some other ingredients like lanolin, glycerin, bisabolol, mineral oil, and panthenol. In terms of feel, Vaseline is a bit heavier and greasier, whereas Aquaphor is a bit lighter and easier to spread.

Is neosporin better than Aquaphor?

Aquaphor has an average rating of 9.4 out of 10 from a total of 6 ratings on Drugs.com. 80% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 0% reported a negative effect. Neosporin has an average rating of 6.5 out of 10 from a total of 2 ratings on Drugs.com.

What makes open wounds worse?

Barriers to wound healing

Dead skin (necrosis) – dead skin and foreign materials interfere with the healing process. Infection – an open wound may develop a bacterial infection. The body fights the infection rather than healing the wound. Haemorrhage – persistent bleeding will keep the wound margins apart.

What does a sepsis scab look like?

A sepsis scab is not your ordinary skin abrasion. Imagine it as a dark, ominous cloud on your skin, often appearing red, swollen, and warm to the touch. Unlike regular scabs, sepsis-related scabs are typically surrounded by discolored skin and may ooze pus or other fluids.

What ointment is best for wound healing?

To apply ointment on a wound of this type, use an essential antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or Bacitracin. These ointments help prevent infection and moisten the wound, promoting faster healing. Apply a thin layer of the ointment after cleaning and drying the wound, then cover it with a sterile bandage.