Homecare for scrapes and cuts

Most scrapes and cuts can be cared for at home.

Scrapes often cover large areas, but they are superficial. When caring for a scrape, make sure to remove any embedded grit or dirt.

Small cuts can be cared for at home if the edges of the cut are close together. Make sure to remove any foreign material from the cut, stop the bleeding and cover the cut with a bandage or dressing.

When to seek medical help

You may need to seek medical attention for a cut or scrape. Call your doctor if:

• The wound needs sutures. A wound needs sutures if it is deep, if fat protrudes from it, if the wound is over half an inch long or if it is a gaping wound.
• You are unable to remove dirt, debris or dead tissue.
• You can’t stop the bleeding.
• The wound is a puncture.
• The wound occurs on the face, eyelids, lips, or neck.
• The edges of the wound are badly torn
• A tetanus shot is required.
• You are uncomfortable or unable to deal with the situation.

Options for closing wounds

There are many ways to close wounds, and the best option will depend on the type and severity of the wound itself.

Skinstrips are tape-like strips that hold the skin together. These are appropriate for small cuts that occur on parts of the body where there is very little tension or movement that could pull the wound apart (e.g. torso, thigh).

For deeper cuts, stitches (or sutures) are used to sew the edges of the cut together. They are very useful for closing wounds that have occurred on parts of the body where there is a lot of movement (e.g. hands).

Steri-strips are used to close wounds on the face in those instances where stitches may leave a scar. Steri-strips or butterfly strips are thin and sticky, and usually fall off after a few days.

Skin glue is a special adhesive that sticks together the edges of the wound and seals the skin for protection. Skin glue is not as effective on areas where there is a significant amount of skin movement.   Order Neobiotic Here