Home care for a chest injury includes:
- Perform wound care as directed by your doctor.
- Clean the skin gently:
- Use mild soap and water.
- Do not scrub the skin.
- Dry the skin.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment.
- Apply cold compresses:
- Apply for 20-30 minutes, every 1-2 hours, for the first few days.
- After several days, apply warm compresses:
- Apply for 20-30 minutes, every 4 hours.
- Stop smoking.
- Avoid exposure to secondary smoke.
- Perform deep breathing exercises:
- Perform the exercises every 4 hours
- Rest the chest:
- Do not lift heavy objects.
- Acetaminophen for pain
- Ibuprofen for pain
- Take prescription medications as directed.
