Dealing with cuts depends on the size of the abrasion, whether it is the surface layer or epidermis that is cut or deeper reaching the blood vessels, the age of the person and the location of the cut. Minor cuts and abrasions can be treated at home and deeper cuts may require medical help.
Treating abrasions
Abrasions mean that the epidermis or surface layer of the skin has been damaged. It happens in bony areas of the skin like knees, elbows or ankles. Areas that are padded are less likely to have skin injury. First wash your hands thoroughly and wear sterile gloves before attempting to treat wounds to prevent infection. Clean the wound with lots of soap and lukewarm water to remove dirt and debris. Pat dry with a sterile gauze or a non fiber shedding material and use an antiseptic lotion like Savlon to prevent infection. Cover the cut with a sterile dressing or band aid.
Treating incisions
Incisions are cuts that go deeper than the three layers of the skin. It may be caused by sharp objects like knives, scissors or glass pieces with heavy bleeding. First clean the wound with clear water to remove dirt and debris. Use sterile tweezers to remove any foreign objects in the wound. Clean with sterile gauze. Do not wipe with cotton wool as it leaves fibers sticking to the wound. If the bleeding starts again, use pressure to stop it. Apply an antibiotic like polysporin to the wound. Dressing can differ depending on the wounded area. In areas like hands or legs where there is no movement, you can use tape strips. Use skin strips for joints or fingers where there is movement. Where sutures may leave scars, Steri strips can be used, like the face. Change the dressing every alternate day to prevent infection.
When to seek medical help
Most cuts and abrasions can be treated at home, but you will need medical help if the wound is very deep, with fat or bones protruding from it, or bleeding does not stop, there are pieces of debris which cannot be removed that may cause infection, the wound cannot be closed, the wound is on a delicate part like the eye, or if a tetanus shot is required. Sometimes the edges of the wound is jagged and may require sutures to close it. Such wounds are best left to the doctor to treat.
First Aid for cuts requiring medical help
Injuries that are very deep may result in heavy bleeding that may not stop. A heavy loss of blood can even be fatal when the blood vessels have suffered a cut. A bright, red color of the blood may indicate that an artery has been cut. First call the ambulance. Remove clothing that may hamper cleaning or might press the blood vessels. Apply pressure directly on the wound or keep ice packs to stop the bleeding.
Preventing infections
The wound heals by forming a crust or scab to prevent infection, but must be examined frequently to ensure that secondary infection does not develop. Signs of infection may appear after a few days like the skin around the wound becomes red and swollen, there may be a discharge that is yellowish white in color, a red line across the limb or fever. This indicates infection and cannot be treated at home. You need to seek medical help for treating secondary infections so that they do not turn into serious infections.
