Minor cuts and wounds are everyday things and don’t deserve much attention.
Or do they?
Yes they do, especially if the cut is deep. Also keep in mind that you must get immediate medical attention if there is something embedded in the cut. Even minor cuts, if ignored, might result in infections and pose serious health problems. The best part, however, is that you can take care of minor cuts very easily. Just follow these steps:
Clean the Affected area
Whether you are treating yourself or someone else, make sure you have washed your hands with soap before touching the wound. Next, do not apply medicine, because you first need to clean the cut with cool water.
Take your time to remove every bit of dirt and debris by running clean water over it. If you prefer using an antiseptic solution instead of water, you may do so, but remember to dilute it with water. This way you can ensure that the solution does not irritate your skin.
Stop the bleeding
If the wound is small, the bleeding will stop after a proper wash. You may bleed a bit more if the cut is on your head or your hand since these areas have a lot of blood vessels. In order to stop the flow, you need to put a clean cloth or gauze on the wounded region and apply pressure for some time, around 3 to 5 minutes. Do not lift the gauze to check before because that may cause the wound to bleed again. If the cut is on your hand, keep it elevated to slow down the bleeding. Seek medical attention if the bleeding refuses to stop after this process.
Cover the Wound
Once the bleeding stops, you need to cover the area with a sterile bandage and tape.Although covering a wound is always a good idea as it minimizes the chance of further infection, you may leave it uncovered if the cut is in an area that won’t likely get dirty. Before you cover the wound, apply antibiotic ointment to speed up the healing process. Change the bandage regularly depending on the nature of the injury.
Minor cuts or scrapes generally heal on their own, but you need to keep an eye on the recovery process. If you feel any irritation or notice any sign of infection, visit a doctor immediately.
For more help on medical treatment, do not hesitate to contact us right away.