Cuts and scrapes: First aid (2024)

FAQs

Cuts and scrapes: First aid? ›

First aid for cuts and lacerations. 1. Stop the bleeding. If you cut yourself, the first thing you should do is apply pressure with a clean bandage or cloth, and keep that part of your body elevated above the heart, if possible.

First aid for cuts and lacerations. 1. Stop the bleeding. If you cut yourself, the first thing you should do is apply pressure with a clean bandage or cloth, and keep that part of your body elevated above the heart, if possible.

Remove any obvious debris but don't try to clean the wound. Stop the bleeding. Cover the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. Press on it firmly with the palm of your hand until bleeding stops.

Clean the wound by rinsing it with bottled or tap water, or by using sterile wipes. Clean the skin around the wound using soap and water or antiseptic – but try not to get antiseptic into the wound. Pat the area dry using a gauze swab or a clean tea towel. Put on a sterile dressing or a plaster.

To help the injured skin heal, use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist. Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.

Wounds heal faster if they are kept warm. Try to be quick when changing dressings. Exposing a wound to the open air can drop its temperature and may slow healing for a few hours. Don't use antiseptic creams, washes or sprays on a chronic wound.

You can slowly peel it away. If you have packing in your wound, remove it gradually while you soak. Soak the wound for 5-10 minutes.

What are the 3 C's for handling an emergency situation? ›

Training your brain before you find yourself in a high-pressure situation may help you save a life or potentially help someone in pain. There are three basic C's to remember—check, call, and care. When it comes to first aid, there are three P's to remember—preserve life, prevent deterioration, and promote recovery.

Wounds need to be covered so that they can heal properly. When a wound is left uncovered, the new surface cells that are being created can easily dry out. When these important cells dry out, it tends to slow down the healing process. A wound should be covered using a clean bandage.

Use cool or lukewarm water and a mild soap or cleanser to gently remove dirt or debris. Stop the bleeding. Apply pressure to the cut using a clean washcloth or gauze. Maintain pressure for one to two minutes or until the bleeding stops.

This can delay healing and lead to increased scar formation. A gauze pad stuck to a wound can also trap bacteria against the healing tissues, heightening the risk of infection. This can spread and complicate the healing process further.

Use cool or lukewarm water and a mild soap or cleanser to gently remove dirt or debris. Stop the bleeding. Apply pressure to the cut using a clean washcloth or gauze. Maintain pressure for one to two minutes or until the bleeding stops.