Rinse your wound for a while, making sure at least two liters of flowing water have passed over your wound. If you don’t have running water, cleanse the wound with antibacterial wash or gel. [2] X Research source Hoffman, R, EJ Benz Jr. , and LE Heslop, Hematology Basic Principles and Practice, Laboratory Evaluation of Hemostatic and Thrombotic Disorders
If you have a first aid kit, use sterile gauze from the kit to put pressure on the wound instead of cloth.
If you know the person is taking blood thinners, take them to an emergency room right away, especially if the wound is on their head. If the wound is greater than 1 centimeter (0. 39 in) deep, it will require sutures or stitches. [6] X Research source Hoffman, R, EJ Benz Jr. , and LE Heslop, Hematology Basic Principles and Practice, Laboratory Evaluation of Hemostatic and Thrombotic Disorders
The tourniquet is considered above the wound if it is between the wound and the area of your body closest to the heart. For example, if you have a bad cut on your lower leg, you need to tie the tourniquet closer to your knee than near your foot. Certain body parts are highly vascular and will bleed profusely when cut, such as the scalp. If you have sustained a large cut on the scalp, go directly to the emergency room, as they bleed readily. [8] X Research source Hoffman, R, EJ Benz Jr. , and LE Heslop, Hematology Basic Principles and Practice, Laboratory Evaluation of Hemostatic and Thrombotic Disorders
If it looks deeper than 1cm, you will need stitches, even if the blood stopped flowing. Reapply the pressure dressing and seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you have a large area of abrasion, which is greater than 12 cm by 12 cm, with a significant amount of particulate matter, seek medical attention as well so the area can be appropriately cleansed. That much debris will cause infection if not removed. This can be done by a doctor under local anesthesia. [10] X Research source Hoffman, R, EJ Benz Jr. , and LE Heslop, Hematology Basic Principles and Practice, Laboratory Evaluation of Hemostatic and Thrombotic Disorders If the wound is dirty or caused by something rusty and it has been more than 10 years since your last tetanus shot, you will need a tetanus shot right away. [11] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
This is also true of fight bites, which are incurred during a fist fight. When one individual hits another in the mouth and gets accidentally bitten by the others teeth, the wounds are also particularly prone to infection. A bite may need to be treated with prescription antibiotics to prevent infection. Make sure you go to the doctor or emergency room to deal with bites.
This is normal and shows that there is no significant vascular damage to contend with and the bleeding will stop again after cleansing.
If irrigation of the wound did not get out all of the debris in the wound, such as twigs, thorns, or pebbles, use tweezers to very carefully pull out the remaining debris. Do not probe the wound because you could injure yourself further. If you don’t have any providone-Iodine solution, you can use any antiseptic wash that is used on open wounds. If you don’t have any solution at all, you can rinse the wound out for an additional amount of time to ensure it is cleaned as well as possible.
If you do not have gauze and medical tape, you need to purchase wound supplies at the drug store or pharmacy. The wound needs to be bandaged properly with sterile supplies in order to prevent infection. If the wound is over a flexible joint, buy rolled gauze to make it more easily managed and the bandage more secure.
Lower extremity wounds or wounds on those who are obese may take on the longer to heal.
