How to Treat an Open Wound

From small children to elderly grandparents, cuts and scrapes are a fact of life. Knowing how to take care of them at home -- and when to seek medical treatment -- can help you heal quickly, save money and fight infection.

Things You'll Need

• soap
• water
• clean towel
• antibacterial ointment
• adhesive bandages

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Instructions

• 1

  Clean the wound. Hold under cool, flowing water for several seconds. Cool water, rather than warm, will tend to reduce the amount of bleeding.

• 2

  Assess the wound. Most cuts naturally try to close right away. If the wound gapes open, has jagged edges or is deeper than you first thought, see a doctor. You may need stitches. Otherwise, continue with these steps.

• 3

  Wash gently with soap and pat dry with a clean towel.

• 4

  Apply an antibacterial ointment. This will kill any germs left behind and prevent new ones from entering the wound. It will also keep the area moist and promote healing.

• 5

  Apply an appropriate adhesive bandage. Butterfly bandages help to hold a wound together. There are fingertip bandages as well as bandages that fit over knuckles. You may have to fashion your own with gauze and surgical tape -- if the wound is a large scrape, for example.

• 6

  Clean and re-bandage daily.