First Aid for Minor Cuts

Cuts are among the most common injuries that we can get at home. Here are some useful tips to help you treat minor cuts effectively on your own.

Steps to treating a minor cut

1. Rinse the wound with clean running water or saline solution
2. Apply gentle but firm pressure directly onto the cut to stop any bleeding
3. Apply antiseptic cream to help prevent infection
4. Protect the wound with a plaster (optional)

How to monitor your cut
Signs of serious infection include:

1. Redness, swelling, and warmth on or around the injury site
2. The presence of pus or coloured discharge from the wound

Dressings don’t need to be changed every day; you only need to change them every two to three days when they become dirty. If the cut shows no signs of improvement after a few days, it would be best to have a doctor look at it.

When a cut requires immediate medical attention
You should consult a doctor immediately if:

1. The wound is on the face
2. The bleeding does not stop
3. The injured area feels numb
4. The wound was caused by something very dirty or rusty
5. The wound is deep with jagged edges exposing fat or muscle layer