We’ve all gotten cuts before, that’s just part of life. But have you ever thought about how to properly clean a cut? It can sound minor, but an improperly cleaned cut can lead to infections. BSA CareXpress Urgent care has a few tips on how to properly clean a cut.
Wash your hands before trying to handle a cut, if cleaning a cut on another human like your child, wear disposable gloves to protect yourself and the other party.
Make sure the party is affected party is lying down and stable.
After the bleeding has stopped, clean the wound by running it under tap water, saline, or by using an alcohol-free wipe. Avoid using antiseptic as this can damage the skin
Cover the wound with a sterile dressing such as a bandage or plaster. Apply pressure to the wound to staunch the flow.
If blood soaks through the bandage, leave it in place and apply another one. Keeping pressure on the wound
If the wound is somewhere where it’s unlikely to come into contact with dirt or clothing, leave it uncovered so it heals faster. If you're not sure, cover it with a sterile bandage or gauze making sure.
How do you tell if a cut is serious enough to require medical attention? Here are a few signs to look for that the cut may require serious medical attention.
The wound is caused by an animal or human bite
The wound is long and/or spurting blood
Something is embedded in the wound
You can see fat or bone in the wound
You haven’t had a tetanus shot in the last 5 years
You start to run a fever
You're not sure how serious the cut is
For all your minor medical needs, come to your nearest BSA CareXpress Urgent Care!