What are Cuts, Scrapes and Wounds?

Injury, in which the outer skin-barrier is penetrated due to an accident, in which the skin has been punctured, cut or scraped. It should be treated immediately because it can cause infection.

Symptoms of Cuts, Scrapes and Wounds

1. There may be deep holes (puncture), superficial abrasions (scrapes) or narrow tears in the skin accompanied by bleeding.
2. Swelling, fever, redness, discharge or red streaks spreading from the wound site signifies infection.

Causes of Cuts, Scrapes and Wounds

• A pin, nail or any sharp object with a penetrating point can cause a puncture.
• When skin gets rubbed against any rough surface like a pavement, blood vessels maybe ruptured and blood oozes out, though the outer skin layer may not be completely broken.
• Sharp instruments with a smooth edge probably razor, blade, broken glass or a knife can cause a cut. Bleeding maybe profuse and nerves, muscles and tendons maybe damaged if the cut is deep.

Home based cures for Cuts, Scrapes and Wounds

1. Use a clean cloth and press down for 10 minutes to stop bleeding. If bleeding continues and cloth has become wet, apply another cloth on top of the earlier one with more pressure. Then elevate the wound above heart level to slow blood flow. However if sharp objects like nail or needle have punctured wounds then encourage bleeding as a part of cleansing.
2. Cleanse the wound and keep it clean to avoid infection. If scraped skin has dirt particles adhering, remove them with tweezers that are washed and dipped in alcohol.
3. Licking the wound is beneficial, because saliva acts as a disinfectant (kills bacteria) and promotes healing.
4. To protect the wound from further injury and to keep the wound clean, adhesive bandage can be used. But it has to be changed frequently.
5. Antibiotic ointments are not necessary for small wounds. Use petroleum jelly. Antiseptic solutions kill some microorganisms, but they can destroy skin cells so can be used only to clean small wounds. Solution’s containing mercury are highly toxic and unsafe, do not use them.
6. After the wound has healed let the scab fall off by itself, do not pick it.

Treating Wounds

1. Bacteria may breed in a punctured wound that doesn’t bleed, so to encourage bleeding press gently around the wound.
2. Remove foreign objects from the wound clean the wound with soap and water and use a sterile dressing to secure it. In case the wound was made by a dirty-object, go for a tetanus shot, if you hadn’t had it for over 10 years.