Slideshow: Caring for wounds

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Cleaning cuts and grazes

Before cleaning cuts, wash your hands thoroughly. Gently wash clean the wound under running water or dab with a piece of gauze soaked in water or saline (salt solution). Don’t use cotton balls or antiseptic as this can damage skin and slow healing. If something is deeply embedded in the wound, leave it until you get medical help. Cover the area with a sterile dressing such as a plaster or bandage.

A bit of blood is usually normal

Don’t worry if you have a cut that’s bleeding. This is usually normal and a bit of blood actually helps clean wounds. Most small cuts and grazes stop bleeding quickly. You can speed up the process by applying firm, gentle pressure with clean gauze or a clean towel. If you can, raise the injured area above your heart level. If blood soaks through the gauze, add another clean piece on top. Don’t remove the original gauze as that may separate the wound and start the bleeding again. Seek medical help if bleeding won’t stop.

When to get medical help?

Usually, mild cuts and grazes are easy to treat yourself. However, you may need medical help if:

Bleeding won’t stop
The wound is very large, deep or near an artery
The wound has something stuck or embedded in it
The wound is painful, red, swollen or oozes pus
An old wound looks like it could be infected
The wound was caused by an animal or human bite

Go to your local walk-in centre or minor injury unit if you are concerned.

When to use a bandage?

A small cut that’s in a well protected area may not need a bandage. If the wound is likely to get dirty or irritated by clothing, protection with a bandage is a good idea, at least for a day or two. Make sure you redress the wound daily. Apply the dressing firmly but not too tightly. Use the appropriate size bandage for the injury and avoid covering fingers or toes when bandaging arms or legs. That way you can check circulation by pressing on the exposed area until it goes pale. If colour doesn’t return when you stop pressure, loosen the bandage.

Adhesive allergy

If you are bandaged up or have a plaster and you start to feel burning, itching or irritation, you may be allergic to adhesive used in some bandages and plasters. If you have sensitive skin, try sterile gauze and paper tape instead, or use an adhesive-free dressing.

Signs of healing

There are three stages of wound healing. They begin almost as soon as you get a cut or graze. They are:

Inflammatory stage: When white blood cells, growth factors and enzymes help remove any damaged or dead tissue, bacteria and other debris.

Proliferation stage: When the wound is 'rebuilt' with new tissue, as platelets, red blood cells and fibrin create a jelly-like clot over the wound, forming a protective scab. (This is when you should resist the urge to scratch!)

Maturation stage: When collagen is remodelled, and cellular activity reduces and the blood vessels in the area start to decrease.

Fast first aid for minor burns

Acting quickly after a minor burn injury is important to limit the amount of damage caused to your skin. Get medical help immediately if the burn is severe. For mild burns:

Get away from the source of the burn
Get clothing and jewellery off the burned area
Cool the area immediately with cool water or lukewarm water for 10 to 30 minutes
Do not use ice, iced water, creams, ointments or things like butter
Keep yourself or the affected person warm and lay cling film over the burn, but don’t wrap it.

Caring for wounds after an operation

The biggest concern after surgery is infection. The risk is more likely if you smoke, have diabetes, a weak immune system, or if your diet lacks enough nutrients. Follow you doctor’s instructions for care of stitches or staples. This usually involves keeping the wound dry for 2 days and changing your dressing carefully each day after that. Signs of infection to watch for include:

Pain, redness or swelling
Weeping or leaking of liquid, pus or blood
A bad smell

Seek medical advice straight away if you are concerned.

Other signs of infection

As well as swelling, redness, oozing fluid or tenderness, there are other signs of possible wound infection. They include:

Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpit or groin
Body aches
Chills or a high temperature

If you have any of these signs, seek medical advice.

Tetanus jabs

Puncture wounds can result in a serious bacterial infection called tetanus that can lead to muscle spasms and even death. If your skin is broken by a cut, bite or other injury, it’s extremely important to seek medical advice and to check you are up to date with your tetanus jabs. You may be offered a booster jab and other tetanus treatment if your doctor thinks this is appropriate. As a result of vaccinations, tetanus is now rare in the UK with just 7 recorded cases in 2013 in England and Wales. Symptoms of tetanus include: