Leaving a wound uncovered helps it stay dry and helps it heal. If the wound isn't in an area that will get dirty or be rubbed by clothing, you don't have to cover it.

Do wounds heal faster covered or uncovered?

A handful of studies have found that when wounds are kept moist and covered, blood vessels regenerate faster and the number of cells that cause inflammation drop more rapidly than they do in wounds allowed to air out. It is best to keep a wound moist and covered for at least five days.

When should you stop covering a wound?

There are times when leaving a wound uncovered could be the right choice. For example, some small cuts that are unlikely to be rubbed by your clothes or become dirty can be left without a covering. Once a wound has started to heal and has scabbed over, you might also want to leave it uncovered.