If you acquire a cut, scrape, scratch, or laceration, you need to take care to prevent this from becoming worse. Several steps need to be taken in order to prevent worsening of the wound and immediate action needs to be taken. The first step is to wash the wound in cool water and soap with a soft washcloth. Bleeding is not necessarily a bad thing as it cleans the wound out naturally by getting all the dirt out. Apply pressure to the bleeding wound using gauze and if the bleeding soaks through, then simply add more gauze on top of the old gauze, but do not remove the gauze from the bleeding wound. If the wound is located on the extremity, keep this above the level of the heart to limit bleeding, pain, and swelling. This can also speed the healing process. There is no need to cover the wound if it is not in an area that can get dirty. If it is in an area that can become dirty such as the hand or irritated by clothing such as the knee, then cover with Band Aid or sterile gauze, remembering to keep the wound clean and dry. Antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin helps healing by keeping infection out and keeping wound clean and moist.
If a wound scabs then there is nothing to do about it. A scab is the best protection the body has from further or worsening infection. This protects an open wound from dirt, and it is not advisable to pick at a scab, let it fall off by itself. Use Dermabond if the wound is small, but leave this on until it falls off naturally. Do not put ointment over Dermabond, let it fall off naturally.
It is very important to receive your tetanus shot if you have not received this in the past 5 or 10 years. Tetanus is a bacterial infection known as “Lockjaw” which can be acquired through dirty or rusty metal objects such as nails, if at any time the skin is broken. If you have a minor wound, you need a tetanus shot if it has been more than 10 years since your last shot or if you have not received 3 injections in your life. If it is a more serious wound, you need a tetanus shot if it has been more than 5 years since your last injection or if you have not received 3 injections in your life.
Please seek the advice of a physician if the wound is jagged, on the face, gaping, if you run a fever, if bleeding cannot be stopped, if there is neurovascular compromise, or if you are not up to date with your tetanus shot. Also seek medical attention if there is any evidence of localized infection at the site of the wound, in other words if you see red streaks around the site of the wound. If you see pus around the wound, also seek medical advice.