Winter Wound Care Tips for Wound Care at Home

Winter has a way of making everything harder, especially when you’re already managing a wound. Cold air, dry indoor heat, bulkier clothing, and less movement work against healing. If you’re looking for wound care at home guidance that feels doable day to day, these winter-focused tips can help you protect the wound, spot problems early, and know when it’s time to bring in extra support.

Why Winter Can Complicate Healing

When heaters run, indoor humidity often drops, which can leave skin drier and more prone to cracking. Dermatologists commonly recommend adding moisture back into the air (for example, with a humidifier) to help prevent rough, cracked skin.

Cracked, irritated skin around a wound is not just uncomfortable. It can make dressings harder to tolerate and can raise the risk of breakdown.

Winter Wound Care at Home Basics 

Start with clean hands and a simple setup
Before any dressing change: wash hands, set up a clean surface, and have supplies ready. Patient-facing wound care instructions from MedlinePlus repeatedly stress clean hands and a clean workspace before touching dressings.

If soap and water aren’t available, the CDC notes alcohol-based sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol.

Keep the wound protected and the dressing managed
Many reputable guides emphasize keeping wounds clean and covered and changing dressings as directed, especially if they become wet or soiled.

8 winter wound care tips to prevent complications

1.) Keep the wound comfortably warm, not overheated

Use soft layers over the area to reduce cold exposure. Avoid putting direct heat on a wound unless your clinician specifically okays it, especially if sensation is reduced (common with neuropathy).

2.) Watch “winter moisture” from sweat, wet socks, and slush

Cold weather can still mean moisture problems, like sweaty layers or damp footwear. If a dressing becomes wet, loosened, or dirty, change it per your plan.

3.) Clean gently, avoid harsh products unless told otherwise

For many everyday cuts and scrapes, Mayo Clinic advises rinsing with water and washing around the wound with soap, and warns that hydrogen peroxide or iodine can irritate wounds.

If you have a surgical wound or a clinician-directed regimen, follow those instructions first.

4.) Protect the skin around the wound

Dry, itchy skin can lead to scratching and small breaks. Winter skin guidance often includes using a humidifier to increase indoor moisture.

Ask your clinician what skin barriers or moisturizers are safe around (not in) your wound.

5.) Support circulation safely

Gentle movement helps, even short indoor walks or ankle pumps if you’re able. If you have a care plan for compression, elevation, or mobility, stick to it consistently.

6.) Stay hydrated and eat for healing

Winter can reduce thirst cues. Hydration and nutrition needs vary a lot by person (especially in hospice or with heart/kidney conditions), so treat this as a “check with your clinician” item rather than a hard rule.

7.) If you have diabetes, double down on foot protection

This includes daily foot checks, wearing shoes and socks, and protecting feet from hot and cold.

If you notice a new sore, blister, or area of redness, don’t wait it out.

8.) Track changes, not just “pain level”

Some wounds hurt less in cold weather, and some people have reduced sensation. Focus on visible changes (spreading redness, new swelling, new drainage, foul odor, wound opening) and systemic symptoms like fever or feeling unwell.

When to Call Your Provider

Seek urgent medical advice if you notice:

• Redness that’s spreading, increasing warmth/swelling, pus-like drainage, or worsening pain
• Fever or feeling generally unwell along with wound changes
• A wound that is not improving, or a wound in the context of diabetes or poor circulation

How Tender Care Supports Wound Care at Home

If dressing changes are becoming stressful, the wound is complex, or you’re worried about infection or slow healing, Tender Care provides specialized wound care in the comfort of your home, including professional assessment, advanced dressings, regular monitoring, and patient/caregiver education. 

Contact us today if you or a loved one is in need of home wound care.