First aid - Cuts and scrapes

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Minor cuts and scrapes usually don't require a trip to the emergency

room. Yet proper care is essential to avoid infection or other

complications. These guidelines can help you care for simple wounds:

Stop the bleeding.

Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If they

don't, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Hold the

pressure continuously for 20 to 30 minutes. Don't keep checking to see

if the bleeding has stopped because this may damage or dislodge the

fresh clot that's forming and cause bleeding to resume. If the blood

spurts or continues to flow after continuous pressure, seek medical

assistance.Clean the wound.

Rinse out the wound with clear water. Soap can irritate the wound, so

try to keep it out of the actual wound. If dirt or debris remains in

the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove

the particles. If debris remains embedded in the wound after cleaning,

see your doctor. Thorough wound cleaning reduces the risk of infection

and tetanus. To clean the area around the wound, use soap and a

washcloth. There's no need to use hydrogen peroxide, iodine or an

iodine-containing cleanser.Apply an antibiotic.

After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or

ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin to help keep the surface

moist. The products don't make the wound heal faster, but they can

discourage infection and allow your body's healing process to close the

wound more efficiently. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause

a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment.Cover the wound.

Bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out.

After the wound has healed enough to make infection unlikely, exposure

to the air will speed wound healing.Change the dressing.

Change the dressing at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty.

If you're allergic to the adhesive used in most bandages, switch to

adhesive-free dressings or sterile gauze held in place with paper tape,

gauze roll or a loosely applied elastic bandage. These supplies

generally are available at pharmacies.Get stitches for deep wounds.

A wound that is more than 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) deep or is gaping or

jagged edged and has fat or muscle protruding usually requires

stitches. A strip or two of surgical tape may hold a minor cut

together, but if you can't easily close the mouth of the wound, see

your doctor as soon as possible. Proper closure within a few hours

reduces the risk of infection.Watch for signs of infection. See your doctor if the wound isn't healing or you notice any redness, increasing pain, drainage, warmth or swelling.Get a tetanus shot.

Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your wound

is deep or dirty and your last shot was more than five years ago, your

doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster. Get the booster within 48

hours of the injury.