SKIN CARE TIP

How to Treat Minor Cuts:

• Stop the bleeding
• Clean the wound
• Homecare for scrapes and cuts
• Options for closing wounds
• Prevent infection
• Promote healing
• Identifying secondary infections
• Medical help for secondary infections

The First thing to do: Stop the bleeding

Stopping the bleeding

The first priority is to stop the wound bleeding. Follow these simple steps:

• Try to calm and reassure the injured person.
• Apply firm pressure directly to the wound, ideally using a clean cloth or towel. You can also use a finger if nothing else is available.
• If the blood seeps through the cloth or towel, add more pressure.
• Remove pressure when the bleeding stops, usually in five to ten minutes.

When to seek medical help

You may need to seek medical help to stop the bleeding. You should seek immediate medical attention if:

• The bleeding does not stop in ten minutes.
• You see bright red and spurting blood (this means that an artery has been severed).

Next: Clean the wound

Cleaning the wound

It’s very important to carefully clean a wound. Proper cleaning removes any foreign material, reduces the risk of secondary infection and minimizes any potential scarring.

To clean the wound:

• Rinse the wound with clear water. Running tap water can be used.
• Remove any foreign material in the wound (such as dirt, gravel or glass) by using tweezers if necessary.
• Ideally, clean the wound with a sterile gauze.
• Avoid using cotton wool.
• If the bleeding restarts, apply firm pressure.
• Most first aid kits include sterile or antiseptic wipes which can be used to clean the wound.

When to seek medical help

If you are unable to remove all foreign objects, you should seek medical help in thoroughly cleaning the wound.  Read more about Preventing Infection