You wipe out on your skateboard. The knife you're using slices
your finger instead of the tomato. Your new puppy doesn't know
how sharp his baby teeth are. You might think a cut or scrape is
no big deal, but any time the skin gets broken, there's a risk
of infection. So it helps to understand how to care for cuts and
scrapes at home — and know when you need to see a doctor. What
to Do Many small cuts, scrapes, or abrasions will heal well
without medical care. Here's what to do if the injury isn't
serious: Stop bleeding by pressing a clean, soft cloth against
the wound for a few minutes. If the wound is bleeding a lot,
you'll need to hold pressure for longer (sometimes up to 15
minutes). If the wound is small, the bleeding should stop in a
few minutes as the blood's clotting factors do their work to
seal the wound. As you keep the pressure on and the wound, avoid
the urge to peek. Lifting the bandage may start the bleeding
again. Clean the wound. Run warm water over the cut for 5
minutes. Then use soap to gent