Slideshow: Caring for wounds
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.
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.
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:
- Muscle spasms and stiffness
- Lockjaw
- Difficulty swallowing
Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of these symptoms.
Related Reading
Medically Reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks on April 05, 2016
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REFERENCES
NHS Choices: How do I clean a wound?
NHS Choices: Cuts and grazes
NHS Choices: How do I apply a bandage?
Clinimed: Phases of wound healing
NHS Choices: Burns and scald:Treatment
Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust: Caring for surgical wounds at home
NHS Choices: Tetanus
American Academy of Family Physicians
Berger, M. Ouch! A Book about Cuts, Scratches, and Scrapes, Lodestar Books, 1991.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA
Hennepin County Medical Center, USA
Mayo Clinic, USA
Silverstein, A. Cuts Scrapes, Scabs, and Scars. Grolier Publishing, 1999.
The Nemours Foundation, USA
University of Michigan Health System, USA
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information:
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general information purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the BootsWebMD Site. If you have a medical problem please contact your GP. In England call 111. In Scotland call NHS 24. In Wales, call NHS Direct Wales. In the case of medical emergencies, always dial 999.
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