Cleaning wounds with water or saline
Part of Infections, Injuries & trauma clinical trials.
This study compares two ways of cleaning a fresh cut – using plain drinking water versus sterile salt water (called normal saline) – to see which is better at preventing infection. It is for people with recent cuts (within 6 hours) that are not too deep or dirty.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- Have a cut or tear in the skin (called a laceration) that happened within the last 6 hours.
- The wound must be on your arm, leg, head, or neck.
- The wound should not be on your lips, ears, or involving a mucous membrane (like inside the mouth or nose) or the groin area.
- The wound should not be a deep puncture or stab wound, and not caused by an animal, human, or snake bite.
- You must not need surgery for a dirty wound, and the wound should not involve tendons, joints, or bones, or be an open fracture.
- You should not be taking steroids, antibiotics, or immunosuppressant medications, and you must be able to return for follow-up care.
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
Similar studies
Other trials that look related to this one.
This trial studies whether rinsing a simple cut (laceration) is better than not rinsing it after the cut is treated in the emergency room. It may help find the safest, simplest way to clean wounds and prevent infection.
This study tests whether a specific wound rinse (“SynEx”) helps healing in adults with certain types of recent arm or leg wounds. You would not be eligible if your injury is too severe for home-type care or if it involves specific excluded conditions.
This study compares cleaning the wound with plain salt water versus a diluted antiseptic solution after a planned C-section. The goal is to see which method better prevents infections for mothers with certain health conditions.
This trial tests whether a special type of sulfur water can help clean and heal wounds, including infected or hard-to-treat wounds. It may be an option for people with various health conditions and wound types.
This trial tests if using less fluid to clean open fractures (broken bones that poke through the skin) works just as well as using more fluid. It compares two different amounts of salt water (saline) to see which one helps prevent infections and helps bones heal better.
This trial is testing whether a diluted povidone-iodine (a common germ-killer) rinse inside the belly during surgery can prevent infections better than a plain saltwater rinse. It is for adults having abdominal surgery for certain types of wounds.
Hear when a new Trauma trial opens
We’ll email you when one opens — at most once a week, no account needed, unsubscribe anytime.