Don’t let pain hold you back. Here’s how to heal faster after an injury.

Knowing how to heal faster after suffering a wound or sprain may not be your top priority — until the emergency is upon you. But those cuts, scrapes, blisters and burns are not only unsightly, but can get infected if left untreated. Of course, serious open wounds need medical attention. But whether you’ve treated a minor wound at home or are back from a rushed trip to the ER, speeding up the healing process is probably uppermost in your mind.

Keep it Clean

Cleanliness is next to godliness — at least when it comes to treating wounds. With a fresh cut or scrape, start by removing any debris with a jet of water or a clean, dry cloth. If you have access to salt, mix some with warm water and gently clean the wound before patting it with a clean cloth. Even better, start carrying a wound-cleansing spray with you. Once the wound is clean and dry, apply a Band-Aid or gauze.

It should go without saying that before treating your wound initially or changing bandages in the days that follow, you should always wash your hands first. Use warm, soapy water when washing up.  

Bust Out the Botanicals

Healing plants are a time-tested tool for treating minor wounds. Look for salves made from the comfrey herb. Comfrey contains allantoin, a phytochemical. Allantoin prevents scarring by encouraging faster cell turnaround. You can also find comfrey tea in health food stores. Crumble the dried leaves in a small amount of warm water, and apply the herbal paste to your wound. Cover this with a warm compress.

Aloe vera is another useful botanical that many people keep in their kitchens or bathrooms as a living first-aid kit. Use it for superficial cuts, burns and bruises. Break a leaf off the aloe plant, split it open, and apply the gel-like substance directly to your wound.   

Power Up Your Meal Plan

Fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients that encourage your body’s immune system to fight off infections from wounds. They also help your skin tissue “knit together’ more quickly to repair surface damage. Vitamin A, copper and zinc are especially helpful for helping you heal faster.

Focus on “power foods” that are rich in these nutrients. Good choices include beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, spinach, and kale. Yogurt, mushrooms and fresh ginger are also packed with immunity-boosting, anti-inflammatory nutrients.

Stock Up on Supplements

In addition, to eating foods high in healing vitamins and minerals, look for multivitamins containing the same nutrients. Other potential supplements to explore — after talking to your doctor, of course — include Vitamin E, chondroitin, glucosamine, evening primrose oil, and DHEA.

Feeling Busted and Bruised These Days?

If you’ve been experiencing more noticeable cuts and bruises than usual lately, talk to our team at BackFit. If you’ve gotten run down, your body may respond by failing to quickly heal even the most minor injuries. That loose cuticle turns into a scab, for example, or a twisted ankle has you limping longer than it used to.

Failing to heal as quickly as you once did may mean that you need to make smarter dietary and fitness choices, as well as to stock up on certain supplements and healing ointments. We’ll be happy to help you learn how to bounce back the way you used to!

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