Sometimes, accidents happen and we all suffer from cuts and scrapes. Whether it happens to you or a member of the family, you want to make sure you deal with them in the right way to prevent further medical problems. Of course, you want to make sure that you seek medical attention for deep wounds or ones that bleed heavily. But for minor issues, here are a few things that you can do.
Stop the Bleeding
First and foremost, you need to stop the bleeding if there is any. Use a clean, dry and absorbent material to apply some direct pressure to the wound for a number of minutes. A bandage, towel or handkerchief are all good options. If the cut has occurred on your hand or arm, you can help to reduce the flow of blood by raising it above your head. But if it is to your leg, you can lie down and raise it above heart-level.
Clean the Area
One of the main things you are aiming to achieve is the prevention of infection by cleaning the wound. Begin by washing your hands with soap and water. Afterwards, you can rinse away any dirt or other debris around the wound under cold water. For minor injuries, you will probably need no more than this as antiseptics can cause damage to the skin. Next, you can pat the area dry with a clean towel before moving onto the following stage.
Apply a Dressing
The type of dressing that you apply really depends on the extent of the wound and your own personal preference. Sterile adhesive dressings are the easiest one to apply so take a look at Save Rite Medical for a potential option. You want to keep the dressing clean by changing it when needed. After a few days, the wound should have closed itself and you will no longer need it.
Take Painkillers if Needed
Over the first few days, you may experience some pain which can be treated with simple painkillers that you can buy over the counter from a pharmacy. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are your most common options.
Know When to Get Medical Help
If you think that your wound has become infected, it is important that you seek medical attention. A few signs that you need to look out for include: swelling, redness and pain around the wound, pus forming, a feeling of unwellness, and a high temperature. In more serious cases, you may need to proceed straight to the accident and emergency department of your nearest hospital. This is certainly the case if you are unable to stop the bleeding, you are bleeding from an artery or the wound is particularly large.
Treating cuts and scrapes is something which is very useful to know about and these five tips give you a good starting point of exactly what you need to do in these kind of situations. In most cases, you can deal with minor issues yourself but it is important to be able to recognise the ones in which you need further medical assistance.