Cuts and Grazes

Most cuts and grazes are minor and can be treated at home all that is needed is for them to be cleaned thoroughly and to be covered with a plaster or some kind of dressing.
- stop the bleeding asap 
-if in a delicate area such a the palm of your hand the bleeding should be stopped before
any dressing is applied.

 

-wash and dry your hands
-clean the wound under a running tap but do not use antiseptic  because it may damage the tissue and slow down the healing proccess
- pat the cut or graze dry with a clean towel
-keep the dressing dry, use a waterproof dressing so that you can take a shower
-keep the dressing clean, by changing it often
-apply sterile dressing such as a plaster

 Your more likely to be at risk of the wound being infected if:
-If any sort of faeces has got onto it.
-if there was something in the wound before it was cleaned.
-If the wound is longer than 5cm (1.9 inches)
-Swelling of the affected area
-Pus forming in the affected area
-Redness spreading from the cut or graze
-Increasing pain in the wound
-Feeling generally unwell
-A high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F) or above
-Swollen glands
-An infected wound can usually be successfully treated with a short course of antibiotics (usually around seven days).

It is recommended that you go to A&E if:

-You are bleeding from a cut artery. Blood from an artery comes out in spurts (with each beat of the heart), is bright red and is usually hard to control.

-You cannot stop the bleeding.

-You experience loss of sensation near the wound or you are having trouble moving body parts. If this is the case you may have damaged underlying nerves.

-There is severe pain, extensive bruising and you are having trouble moving body parts. If this is the case you may have damaged one of your tendons.

-if you have a cut on the face you may need urgent medical attention to avoid scarring on the face.  

You have received a cut to the palm of your hand and the cut looks infected. These types of infection can spread quickly.

If there is no risk of infection, your cut will be  cleaned using water or a sterile saline solution before it’s closed. This may be done using stitches, tissue adhesive or skin-closure strips.
Stitches (sutures). These are usually used to close cuts that are more than 5cm long, or wounds that are particularly deep. A sterile surgical thread is used for stitches, which is flexible and allows the wound to move.
Tissue adhesive (glue). This may be used to close less severe cuts that are less than 5cm long. The tissue adhesive is painted onto your skin, over your cut, while the edges are held together. The paste then dries, forming a flexible layer that keeps the cut closed.
Skin-closure strips. These may be used as an alternative to tissue adhesive, for cuts that are less than 5cm long, where there is a risk of infection. The strips are sticky and can be placed over the edges of the cut to hold them together. They are easier to remove than tissue adhesive.