Cotton Wool - 250 Balls

Where to Avoid Using Cotton Wool Balls

Cotton wool balls do have a tendency to lint or leave behind small fibres. Given this characteristic, there are certain wound and healthcare applications where they might not be the ideal choice:

• Open Wounds: Cotton wool balls should not be applied directly to open wounds because the fibres can get stuck in the wound, which can introduce bacteria or other contaminants, delay the healing process, and might require medical intervention for removal.
• Surgical Sites: After a surgical procedure, it's crucial to ensure that no foreign materials remain in or on the incision. Lint or fibres from cotton wool balls can lead to complications such as infections.
• Deep Lacerations: For wounds that are deep, there's a higher chance that the fibres from the cotton wool can become embedded inside the wound, potentially leading to complications.
• Burns: Burns, especially those of second-degree or more, have a delicate healing process. Any lint or debris, like fibres from cotton wool, can interfere with this process and risk infection.
• Sutures and Staples: If someone has stitches or staples, using cotton wool balls around those areas can result in the fibres getting trapped, which can be problematic when the sutures or staples are removed.

Opt for gauze swabs in these scenarios, which is non-linting and will make wound cleaning easier and safer.