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"You’re sweeping up bits of broken glass and cut yourself. Or you’re slicing a bagel and nick your hand with the knife.\nMinor wounds are part of life — and for the most part, you can treat them at home. Here’s how.\nHow to Treat a Minor Wound\nYes, the sight of blood is often alarming, and even small wounds can hurt a lot. (Think about a paper cut.) But most everyday cuts and scrapes don’t require a trip to the emergency room.\nHere’s how to treat a cut.\n\nWash your hands with soap and water if possible.\nStop the bleeding. “With any bleeding, it is important to remain calm, apply continuous pressure, and give it a good one to two minutes. This can feel like a very long time when something hurts, but is usually enough to get the bleeding to stop,” says Martin Johns, MD, Shenango Valley Family Medicine-UPMC.\nClean the wound by running it under cool or lukewarm water to gently remove dirt or debris. You can use saline solution or a little mild soap to help clean it. “Gentle dish soap works well,” says Dr. Johns.\nClean the area around the wound with mild soap and a washcloth. Doing so will help prevent infection from germs on the skin.\n\n“Washing wounds with soap and water is critical to prevent infection when it first occuRs. After the first washing, it is important to avoid getting the wound overly wet and to not scrub the wound open again,” says Dr. Johns.\n\n\nPat the area dry with a clean towel.\nApply a layer of antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to the wound. It will help keep the wound moist for faster healing.\nCover the wound with a sterile bandage to protect the cut from germs and prevent it from reopening.\nTake over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen.\n\nHow to Avoid Infection\nTo avoid infection, keep the cut clean and change the bandage once a day. You may need to change the bandage more often if it gets wet or dirty.\nYou should check with your doctor to make sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Infection (CDC), adults need a tetanus booster shot every 10 years. The bacteria that cause tetanus can enter your body through even a small cut.\nWhat to Keep in Your First Aid Kit\nHaving a well-stocked first aid kit makes treating minor cuts and scrapes easier. You should include these basics in your first aid box:\n\nAdhesive bandages in a variety of shapes and sizes.\nSeveral different sizes of gauze rolls.\nAdhesive medical tape.\nHydrocortisone ointment.\nA cold pack to reduce swelling.\nA breathing barrier (with a one-way valve) for performing CPR.\nAlcohol-free cleansing wipes (such as baby wipes ).\nA digital thermometer.\nPain medication (acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen).\nAn emergency blanket.\nCream or spray for insect bites and stings.\nAntiseptic cream.\nSterile eye pad.\nSafety pins.\nTriangular bandages.\nDisposable gloves.\nTweezers.\nScissors.\nEyewash.\nA felt-tip pen to write down any emergency instructions.\nA first aid manual or booklet.\n\nBe sure to check expiration dates on items in your first aid kit. If someone in your household has a chronic condition (like asthma or diabetes), include an extra inhaler or glucose tablets.\nWhen You Should See a Doctor\nThere are some wounds you shouldn’t treat at home. Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have a deep wound or a cut that won’t stop bleeding. Other reasons to see a doctor:\n\nThere’s a foreign object embedded in the wound.\nThe wound is close to a major blood vessel.\nThe cut has jagged edges or is on a joint.\nThe wound came from a human or animal bite.\n\nCall your doctor if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms after treating your minor wound.\n\nThe wound isn’t beginning to heal after a few days.\nThe wound continues to bleed.\nYou notice signs of infection — swelling, redness, pus, or increasing pain around the wound.\nYou have a fever.\nYour glands are swollen.\nYou just don’t feel well and can’t pinpoint why.\n\nMost minor cuts heal in a week or less. Taking care of your minor wound will ensure that it heals in the quickest possible time.\nSourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology, How to Treat Minor Cuts, LinkNHS, Cuts and grazes, LinkAmerican Academy of Pediatrics, First Aid Guide for Parents & Caregivers, LinkAmerican Red Cross, Make a First Aid Kit, LinkNHS, What should I keep in my first aid kit? LinkCDC, Must-Haves for Your First-Aid Kit, Link"
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