First aid for cuts and lacerations
- Stop the bleeding.
- Clean the wound.
- Use an antibiotic ointment.
- Cover the wound.
- Change the dressing.
- Get stitches for deep wounds.
- Watch for signs of infection.
- Get a tetanus shot.
Treatment
- Clean the wound in a bowl or warm but not hot water.
- Cover the wound with a sterile wound dressing or bandage to prevent any infection getting in.
- Clean the wound and change the dressing or bandage each day.
- Ensure you do not aggravate the wound and limit how much your walk on it.
Showering is preferable to bathing, so that the wound does not 'soak' in water. Do not use soap, shower gel, body lotion, talcum powder or other bathing products directly over your healing wound; and do not rub the area, as this might be painful and could delay healing.
Sustained PainExperiencing tenderness while dealing with a healing wound is normal. Pain will be more prevalent with deeper, more severe wounds that affect beneath the skin's surface but will typically resolve itself with two days.
If the wound is spread open, it will heal by filling in from the bottom and sides. A wound that is not stitched may take 1 to 4 weeks to heal, depending on the size of the opening. You will probably have a visible scar. You can discuss revision of the scar with your healthcare provider at a later time.
Cuts on the foot are best treated by thoroughly cleaning the area with an antibacterial soap such as Dial, and then applying an antiseptic like Merthiolate or Betadine. The cut should be kept covered with sterile gauze dressing until a scab is well-formed, which normally takes several days.
Soak the wounded area in warm water or put a warm, wet cloth on the wound for 20 minutes three times a day. Use a warm saltwater solution containing 2 teaspoons of table salt per quart of water. Use this solution to remove all the pus and loose scabs. (Don't use hydrogen peroxide because it is a weak germ-killer.)
Only Neosporin eliminated the infection after 2 applications (at 16 and 24 hours). Both the antibiotic ointment and the wound protectant led to faster wound healing by about 4 days compared with the antiseptics or no treatment.
How deep is your wound? If it's just a shallow cut in the skin, it should heal fairly quickly on its own without any complications. However, if the abrasion is more than one-quarter of an inch deep, you will likely need stitches.
A handful of studies have found that when wounds are kept moist and covered, blood vessels regenerate faster and the number of cells that cause inflammation drop more rapidly than they do in wounds allowed to air out. It is best to keep a wound moist and covered for at least five days.
For instance, if you have an ankle or foot wound, running probably isn't a suitable solution. Low impact exercises such as swimming and cycling are the best when dealing with lower limb or foot injuries, because minimal pressure is applied to the wound while still achieving cardiovascular activity.
Slow Healing of Cuts and Wounds. Wounds or sores that take more than a few weeks to heal might be infected and require medical treatment, and often indicate an underlying disease such as diabetes. When you cut or burn yourself, your body begins a three-stage process to repair the damaged skin.
Your risk of infection increases the longer the wound remains open. Most wounds that require closure should be stitched, stapled, or closed with skin adhesives (also called liquid stitches) within 6 to 8 hours after the injury. Some wounds that require treatment can be closed as long as 24 hours after the injury.
Epsom salt has been used to treat wounds and infections, but caution is recommended because it could also irritate the wound. While it doesn't cure the infection, Epsom salt can be used to draw out the infection and soften the skin to help boost medication effects.
Primary healing, delayed primary healing, and healing by secondary intention are the 3 main categories of wound healing.
New Study Demonstrates That Pain Is Important to Wound Healing. A new study found that cells in the body actually respond to pain. Regardless of the extent, the accompanying pain is perhaps the worst part… A new study found that cells in the body actually respond to pain.
Three Stages of Wound Healing
- Inflammatory phase – This phase begins at the time of injury and lasts up to four days.
- Proliferative phase – This phase begins about three days after injury and overlaps with the inflammatory phase.
- Remodeling phase – This phase can continue for six months to one year after injury.
Treat the wound with antibiotics: After cleaning the wound, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. Close and dress the wound: Closing clean wounds helps promote faster healing. Waterproof bandages and gauze work well for minor wounds. Deep open wounds may require stitches or staples.
A first aid antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin, Neosporin, Polysporin) can be applied to help prevent infection and keep the wound moist. Continued care of the wound is also important. Three times a day, wash the area gently with soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and re-cover with a bandage.
Natural Ways to Heal Cuts and Wound
- Turmeric. Turmeric is known for its antibiotic properties and can help cure infections.
- Honey. Honey is considered as one of the most effective home remedies for cuts on the tongue.
- Tea Tree Oil.
- Peppermint Oil.
- Aloe Vera.
- Coconut Oil.
- Onions.
- Lavender Oil.
Step 2: Treat the Wound with a Topical AntibioticOintments include NEOSPORIN® + Pain, Itch, Scar,* which provides 24-hour infection protection. NEOSPORIN® + Pain, Itch, Scar helps heal minor wounds four days faster** and may help minimize the appearance of scars. (*For adults and children 2 years and older.)
Promote Wound Healing with Good NutritionChoose vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C, such as strawberries or spinach. For adequate zinc, choose whole grains and consume protein, such as eggs, meat, dairy or seafood. Some wounds may require a higher intake of certain vitamins and minerals to support healing.
Look for the signs below to ensure your wound is healing properly:
- Scab formation. Cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds typically undergo three stages of healing: bleeding, clotting, and scab formation.
- Initial swelling.
- New tissue growth.
- Scar formation.
The cascade of healing is divided into these four overlapping phases: Hemostasis, Inflammatory, Proliferative, and Maturation. Hemostasis, the first phase of healing, begins at the onset of injury, and the objective is to stop the bleeding.
Limit unhealthy foods, such as those that are high in fat, sugar, and salt. Examples include doughnuts, cookies, fried foods, candy, and regular soda. These kinds of foods are low in nutrients that are important for healing.
How long it takes to heal a wound depends on how large or deep the cut is. It may take up to a few years to completely heal. An open wound may take longer to heal than a closed wound. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, after about 3 months, most wounds are repaired.
To increase blood flow to the skin and help to speed up healing, you can apply heat to the wound. Put a heating pad (or water bottle) on the wound or place the area in a bucket of warm water for 15 – 30 minutes. To prevent bacterial infections, ensure you wash your hands thoroughly before treating a wound.
Hydrogen peroxide can be used for the initial cleaning of a wound, such as a small scrape or abrasion. Its bubbling action helps remove debris that may be stuck in the wound. But it should not be used for large open wounds or deep cuts, or for a long time.
It will not sting, dry, irritate or damage healthy tissue, and is safe to use on cuts, scrapes, burns, lacerations and skin infections.
When skin is too moist, you may get a bacterial or fungal infection. This can cause cracks between the toes. People who often walk barefoot or wear open shoes are at risk for dry skin. People who wear shoes without socks or shoes and socks that don't breathe well are at risk for moist skin problems.
If you can't get all the dirt out, call your doctor's office. If you want, put a light layer of an antibiotic ointment around the cut to kill germs. Make sure you're not allergic to the medications in the ointment. Dry the area lightly and cover it with gauze or other type of bandage.
A cut is defined as a skin wound with separation of the connective tissue elements. The wound is caused by a sharp object such as a knife or shard of glass. A laceration implies a cut with a torn or jagged wound that is caused by a sharp object.
