GotoAID - Cuts

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GotoAID does not provide any medical advice or treatment, it is solely for informational purposes only

Respiratory

Emergency

Bites/Stings

Cuts/Wounds

Breaks & Sprains

Poisons

Burns

Medical Problems

Cuts

Small cuts will usually stop bleeding without treatment however larger and or deeper cuts may not spontaneously stop bleeding. Seek medical attention as sutures may be required. Any cut in the skin allows germs to enter the skin and possibly cause an infection later on.

Symptoms

Bleeding	Soreness
Break in skin	Redness of skin

Steps

Rinse the wound under cold running water to remove any dirt.

If there is any dirt or debris remaining in the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove it. If debris remains embedded in the wound after cleaning, seek medical attention.

After cleaning the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment.

Cover the wound with an adhesive bandage. Make sure not to touch the sterile part of the bandage. Change the bandage daily or whenever it gets wet or dirty. A fresh bandage will help the healing process.

If the wound is more than 1/4 inch deep or is gaping or jagged edged and has fat or muscle protruding usually requires stitches. Seek medical attention as soon as possible so stitches can be applied within a few hours to reduce the risk of infection.

If your tetanus booster was more than 5 years ago or the date of your last booster is unknown, seek medical attention for a tetanus booster within 48 hours of the injury.

Warnings

DO NOT use cotton on or near the wound because fibers can stick to the wound.

Tips

Thorough wound cleaning reduces the risk of infection and tetanus. To clean the area around the wound, use soap and a water.

Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years unless you have a "dirty" wound then every 5 years.

Suggestions

Fire Ant Bite

Fire Coral Sting

Scalp Wound