The best way to treat cuts and promote healing is to keep the cut clean, moist and protected from any irritants. You can heal cuts faster if they are not allowed to dry out and if they are protected from infection. Follow these five steps for ultimate cut care.
Clean the Cut
The first thing you need to do is clean the cut as best you can, in the most gentle way possible. If the cut covers a large area of the body, try submerging the body part in water, such as in the sink or tub and allowing the water to gently wash away the dirt and gravel. Use mild soap in water; do not use rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or any other strong astringent unless water and soap is unavailable. You do not want to irritate the damaged skin any more than is necessary. Make sure you remove all dirt and gravel gently, using sterilized tweezers and gently probing. Do not scrub vigorously.
Stop the Bleeding
Apply a clean bandage or cloth to the wound site and apply gentle pressure. If the cut bleeds so much that the bandage is saturated, layer another bandage or cloth on top of the one pressing up against the wound. You do not want to remove the bandage or cloth until you are sure the wound can handle the disturbance without starting to bleed again.
Decide if the Cut Needs Serious Medical Attention
If the cut is so deep that it does not stop bleeding in five minutes or if the cut is too wide for you to easily reconnect the edges, you need to see a doctor to get stitches. Likewise, if you cannot remove all the dirt or gravel from the cut, you will need to see a doctor.
Apply Ointment
After you have stopped the bleeding, you can apply a thin layer of antibacterial or antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or Triple Antibiotic ointment. You will want to apply a new layer of ointment morning and night, or any time you change the bandage. If you prefer a natural remedy, apply high grade tea tree essential oil or vitamin E oil to the cut instead of the ointment.
Cover the Cut With a Bandage
Cover the cut with a bandage if at all possible. Some people think it's best for cuts to remain exposed to the air so they form a scab, but actually cuts heal fastest if covered and kept moist so new skin can form without the pulling and damage done by a dry scab.
 | The fastest way to heal a cut requires an eye for wound cleanliness and proper care. |
 | Need to know how to treat a black eye? You may think you should slap a hunk of raw steak on it like you've seen in cartoons. Nothing could be further from the truth. |
How long does a scab take to heal? The answer to this question depends on the size, depth and condition of the scab. Scabs remain in place to protect the healing skin as cells develop and nerves are reconnected. |
If you are looking for ways to heal cuts and scrapes, look no further than our top five approaches. |
Knowing how to treat scrapes will help you handle a messy situation in as soothing a manner as possible. |
