How to Treat an Open Wound
From small children to elderly grandparents, cuts and scrapes are a fact of life. Knowing how to take care of them at home -- and when to seek medical treatment -- can help you heal quickly, save money and fight infection.
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Instructions
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1
Clean the wound. Hold under cool, flowing water for several seconds. Cool water, rather than warm, will tend to reduce the amount of bleeding.
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2
Assess the wound. Most cuts naturally try to close right away. If the wound gapes open, has jagged edges or is deeper than you first thought, see a doctor. You may need stitches. Otherwise, continue with these steps.
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3
Wash gently with soap and pat dry with a clean towel.
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4
Apply an antibacterial ointment. This will kill any germs left behind and prevent new ones from entering the wound. It will also keep the area moist and promote healing.
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5
Apply an appropriate adhesive bandage. Butterfly bandages help to hold a wound together. There are fingertip bandages as well as bandages that fit over knuckles. You may have to fashion your own with gauze and surgical tape -- if the wound is a large scrape, for example.
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6
Clean and re-bandage daily.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep the wound from getting wet.
Watch closely for signs of infection.
Try and find what you got hurt on. Maybe you can prevent future injury to someone else.
Seek medical attention if you notice signs of infection or have any other concerns.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
