Are there ways to lessen the pain during a wound dressing?

[LoloWaye]

I had an abscess lanced Monday night and wound changes are terrible. They take one to two hours because I can't deal with the pain. It's not very wide but it is deep.

[Anonymous]

1. Use some type of local numbing medication on the area before doing it
Or
2. Do what I do and own your pain. Instead of fighting it or fearing it own it. Appreciate the fact that pain exists. It's an amazing warning system to keep your body safe. So whenever I have to do something I know is painful I just talk to myself. It sounds crazy but I say things in my head like "This is my pain. It's part of me. It's not bad. And it won't last forever". I repeated this over and over. It doesn't necessarily make things hurt less but it sure makes things easier for me to get through it. And I've learned that if I can get painful things done without elongating it by trying to run from it it often goes a lot smoother and doesn't feel nearly as bad.

[Intraluminal]

Have the nurses medicate you about 45 minutes before the dressing change.

[Offthelist]

If they are partially healed l, not too deep or if you have really bad burns.. After using disinfectant or alcohol etc.. the wet a Teabag and let it rest on the wound for 3 to 10 minutes. Then take it off throw some neosporan and gauz over and wrap it tight. The tea will take about the burning and sting, aswell as some swelling. Especially good if you end up doing a stitch job.

[Anonymous]

use water to make it easier to remove?