Scrapes & Cuts

What should you do about them?

1. Clean the area gently with mild soap and water. An antibacterial soap is fine, but any mild soap will do.
2. Apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze pad if bleeding until the bleeding stops.
3. Continue cleaning as above 2 to 3 times a day.
4. After cleaning, apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin or Bacitracin. Ask the pharmacist for a suggestion if you don't find what you need.
5. Cover the scrap or cut with a Band-aid or non-stick gauze paid if it is moist or oozing or irritated by clothing.
6. Check the last time you had a tetanus shot. You should have had one within the past 5 to 10 years.

Call us if…

• The cut extends all the way through the skin layers, especially when you can see the fat or other tissue in the cut.
• The cut is longer than 1 inch.
• The cut is on the face or over a joint.
• The scrape is large or oozing a lot of fluid.
• You can see blood vessels or fat at the base of the scrape.
• The cut or scrape doesn't stop bleeding after application of pressure as described above.
• The cut or scrape contains dirt you cannot remove.
• The cut or scrape becomes inflamed and pussy after a few days of treatment.
• Your skin develops red streaks around the cut or scrape.
• You need a tetanus shot.
• You have any questions about your injury.