Everyone knows that cuts can sting and be quite painful, but sometimes it’s just not possible to avoid all the bumps in the road. If you’re faced with a minor cut that needs attention, with articles like this one, you’ll find out how to care for your own skin without having to go through doctor’s appointments or waiting around a long time.
Why do small cuts heal better than big wounds
Minor cuts heal faster than big wounds because they are not as traumatic to the body. The smaller the cut, the less blood is lost and the less tissue is damaged. This allows for the wound to close faster and prevents infection. It is important to clean and dry the wound as soon as possible so that infection does not have a chance to set in. If pain persists more than a few days after the injury, go see a doctor.
Ways to treat minor cuts
There are a few simple things you can do to treat minor cuts without going to the doctor. Here are four tips:
– Soak the wound in cool water for a few minutes. This will help reduce inflammation and stop the bleeding.
– Apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or hand. This will help stop the bleeding and relieve the pain.
– Apply a cold pack to the wound for 10 minutes. This will also help reduce inflammation and stop the bleeding.
– Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as prescribed by your doctor. These medications will help reduce pain and inflammation.
How to treat a deep wound
If you are unfortunate enough to get a deep cut, the best way to treat it is to clean and dry it as best as possible, then apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or your hand. Apply a bandage if needed. If the wound is larger than a quarter-inch in diameter or if it is bleeding heavily, seek professional medical help.
What nothing but antibiotics will do
If you have a minor cut, antibiotics will do nothing to help. If the cut is more than a quarter-inch deep, you should go to the doctor. Minor cuts can easily become infected if not treated properly. Clean the wound with soap and water, then apply an antibiotic ointment. Apply a bandage or wrap the wound to keep it clean and protected. When you wash your hands, keep more than one of them wet and apply the same amount of soap to each hand. Soap is a chemical that kills bacteria and is your best weapon against itches.
If clothes or sheets are getting soiled, hold the material upside down, rub it between your hands to get the dirt out, and then toss it into the laundry basket.
For things that itch but don’t bleed, try rubbing yourself with a bar of soap. It works well for human skin, too. For very sensitive parts of the body like ears and genitals, use bananas instead of soap. The grainy texture on the outside will scratch away any dead skin cells so there’s no chance they’ll get