The cut is spurting blood. The edges of the wound are jagged or far apart from each other. The wound keeps opening. It is a deep cut or puncture wound, such as more than 1/4 inch deep. The cut goes through muscles or tendons. The wound was caused by an animal or human bite. The cut is accompanied by severe pain.
Keep the pressure constant and avoid removing it every few seconds to see if the bleeding has stopped. This can slow down the formation of clots. If the bleeding still hasn’t stopped after ten minutes, you may need stitches, so see a doctor.
This method only works if the cut is on a limb. If it is on your torso, you will have to apply pressure to stop the bleeding.
If you have a cut somewhere on your body that is not on your hands, you may want to wear sterile gloves while treating it. This will prevent you from transferring germs that may be on your hands to your open wound. If you are treating someone else’s cut, wearing gloves will also protect you against blood-borne pathogens the other person may have.
Be sure to use cold water, not hot. If you don’t have access to a sink, you can pour bottled water or saline solution over the cut to clean it. You can also wipe it clean with a sterile cloth. If there is still debris in the cut even after your flushed it, you will need to remove it. You can do this with sterile tweezers. (Sterilize them by rubbing them down with rubbing alcohol or boiling them in water. ) Many people use solutions like rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds, but this is not necessary. They will not clean the wound any better than cold water, and they will cause pain.
Don’t do this yet if your cut is still bleeding. You can use antibiotic ointments with or without bandages. Some people have allergic reactions to antibiotic ointments. If you develop a rash, discontinue use of the product. Some experts recommend against using antibiotic ointments, as they may contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. [8] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source If you choose not to use antibiotic ointment, be sure to clean the area immediately around your cut every day until it is healed. [9] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
Not all cuts require tetanus boosters, but it’s generally advised for cuts that are deep or have had dirt or other contaminants in them. If you’re not sure whether your cut necessitates a tetanus shot, call your doctor. If you’re not sure when your last tetanus shot was, call your doctor to find out.
Redness Pain Swelling Pus Fever
If you haven’t done so already, you can apply some antibiotic ointment to the cut right before covering it. If the wound is in an area that won’t get dirty or be irritated by clothing, you can leave it uncovered. [13] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source
You can also use gauze and surgical tape to cover your wound. If a regular bandage won’t work for you, try applying a liquid bandage to your cut. This clear hardening liquid will protect the cut just as much as a traditional bandage, and it will stay in place even in awkward areas, like between your fingers. [15] X Research source
It’s a good idea to change the bandage daily, even if it appears clean and dry. You can apply more antibiotic ointment when you put the new bandage on. You may also want to clean your cut with water or saline solution if it is still open. [17] X Research source
If you will be doing something that may cause the cut to get dirty or irritated, be sure to cover it. If you are concerned about scarring, you may want to prevent the formation of a scab. You can do this by applying petroleum jelly to the cut regularly to keep it moist. Keeping a bandage over the cut will help keep the petroleum jelly in place. [19] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
