How to Manage Minor Wounds
A minor wound can be defined as either a laceration, abrasion, or blister, and frequently can be comfortably managed at home without requiring a visit to a doctor. Minor wounds are common in children, but even adults suffer from the occasional cut or scrape. Proper treatment of minor wounds will help you avoid infection and expedite healing. An infection can easily spread and turn a minor wound into a serious problem.
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Things You'll Need
- Soap
- Damp washcloth
- Topical antiseptic
- Antibiotic cream
- Gauze
- Hypoallergenic gauze tape
Instructions
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Wash your hands using hot, soapy water. This will ensure that you do not contaminate the area with bacteria when you treat it.
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Clean the wound with either a gentle, pressurized stream of water or a damp washcloth. This will remove any foreign substances in the wound and is particularly important when the injury is an abrasion. Abrasions often contain gravel or dirt that has been forced into the wound. These substances can increase your risk of infection if they are not removed.
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Apply a topical antiseptic or antibiotic to the wound and the surrounding area. A topical antiseptic or antibiotic will help reduce the growth of microorganisms in the wound. You may opt to use Hydrogen Peroxide, Eugenol, or Bacitracin on minor wounds.
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Dress the wound with gauze. If the wound is leaking, opt for a non-adherent dressing that will not cause you pain when the gauze is removed.
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Secure the dressing with hypoallergenic gauze tape. Traditional adhesive tape may be painful to remove, and could damage the wound or slow down the healing process.
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Remove the dressing daily and apply fresh antibiotic cream and gauze to the wound until the broken skin begins to heal over.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider getting a tetanus shot if you have not had one in the past 10 years. Tetanus can be introduced to a wound by any object, not just those outdoors. Tetanus interferes with your body's nerve responses, often causing muscles and bones to "lock up". Although tetanus is rare, it can be fatal.
If the wound causes severe pain or results in persistent leaking or swelling, seek medical attention immediately. It may be infected.
Do not attempt to treat a puncture wound at home. Puncture wounds have a much higher risk of infection and should always be treated by a physician.
Refrain from using colloidal silver or silver nitrate as an antiseptic. These products are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of wounds.
