Caring for Cuts and Scrapes

Most minor cuts and scrapes can be safely treated at home. Follow these basic guidelines to help stop bleeding, prevent infection and promote healing.

How to care for a cut or scrape at home

• Stop the bleeding. Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth, tissue or gauze pad for several minutes. If blood soaks through, add more gauze and continue applying pressure. Do not remove the cloth too soon—this can disrupt clot formation. If bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of steady pressure, or if blood is spurting, seek medical care; stitches may be needed.
• Rinse the wound. Once bleeding has stopped, gently rinse the cut with cool, clean water to remove debris.
• Clean the surrounding skin. Use mild soap and a soft cloth to clean the area around the wound. Avoid hydrogen peroxide or iodine, as they can damage healthy tissue.
• Remove debris. If needed, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove gravel, dirt, glass or other foreign material still in the wound.
• Apply ointment. If the wound was dirty, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection and keep the wound moist during healing.
• Cover if necessary. Small cuts and scrapes can be left uncovered to stay dry and heal faster. If the area may get dirty or irritated by clothing, cover it with an adhesive bandage.
• Change bandages regularly. If a bandage is used, change it daily – or sooner if it becomes wet or dirty – to keep the wound clean and dry.

While most minor wounds heal without complication, some cuts and scrapes require medical attention to reduce the risk of infection and support proper healing.

When to Seek Medical Care

Seek immediate medical attention if:

• The wound is from a human or animal bite
• The cut is deep enough to see fat, muscle or bone
• The edges are jagged, widely separated or gape open
• The cut is long, bleeding heavily or blood is spurting
• The wound is on the face, wrist, hand or fingers, or joint movement is affected
• Dirt or debris cannot be easily removed
• The wound becomes tender, swollen or drains thick, grayish fluid
• You develop a fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
• The area around the wound feels numb
• Red streaks appear near the wound
• The injury is a puncture wound or deep cut and you haven’t had a tetanus shot in the last five years

The Summa Health Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine team is here to help assess your wound and guide you toward safe, effective healing.