Which of the following substances must you not use to clean the wound?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
A. Salicylic spirit.
Explanation
In the photo you can see a bottle of still mineral water, small bottles labelled "spirytus" (spirit) and "woda utleniona" (hydrogen peroxide), and a red first aid kit. You must not use salicylic spirit to clean a wound - answer A.
Salicylic spirit is a solution of alcohol with salicylic acid. Poured into a wound, it destroys the exposed tissue, stings a lot and slows healing, and at the same time it does not stop bleeding. For removing dirt from a small wound, ordinary clean water (answer B) is best, for example running water - it is what rinses out the dirt. Hydrogen peroxide (answer C) is shown in the question as acceptable, although today clean water is recommended above all for cleaning wounds, because hydrogen peroxide can irritate healthy tissue. After cleaning, you apply a sterile dressing. You press on and dress a deep or heavily bleeding wound immediately, without cleaning it, and you call for help.
Legal basis: Art. 44 para. 2 point 1 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)