Wound Care: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing Cuts & Scrapes

Cuts and scrapes come in all shapes and sizes. They are a part of life and sometimes they get overlooked when you are busy. All types of wounds, however, need care to prevent infection and speed healing. Left untreated, a small wound could become a larger, more insistent sore that needs a physician's attention. Treat your wounds with a little attention and you'll be back to normal in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Clean cloth
• Tweezers (optional)
• Mild soap
• Antibiotic salve
• Bandages

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Instructions

• 1

  Stop any bleeding. Cuts, scrapes and other wounds usually quit bleeding on their own, but if yours doesn't, apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. If blood begins to soak through the cloth, place a second cloth over the first one. Hold in place until the bleeding stops.

• 2

  Clean the area thoroughly. Rinse the wound with cool water to remove any dirt or debris. Hold the wound under running water if you can. Use tweezers to remove any remaining debris, if necessary. Clean the skin around the wounds with mild soap and water.

• 3

  Apply an antibiotic salve to the wound, if desired. These ointments fight infection.

• 4

  Protect the wound. If your wound is in an area that will get dirty from use or become irritated by clothing, place a bandage over it. Wounds heal quicker without bandages but bandages prevent dirt from causing infections. Replace the bandage once a day or when it becomes dirty. Sleep without a bandage, if possible.

• 5

  Let your wound breathe when it forms a scab. Don't apply any more ointments or bandages once your wound scabs. It will heal quicker with exposure to air.