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In our daily lives, it's common to experience minor injuries or skin abrasions. For example, falling off a bike might cause scrapes on your knee, or placing your elbow on a rough surface could lead to scratches. These types of wounds generally don't harm the skin significantly and aren't serious. You can easily treat them at home using a few simple steps outlined below.
Steps
Clean the wound or scratch
Wash your hands with soap and water. Before treating your own or someone else's injury, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands with warm water and soap. If you're helping someone else with their wound, you should wear disposable gloves. It's best to use gloves that are not made from rubber, as some individuals may have latex allergies.
Stop the bleeding. If the wound or scratch is still bleeding, use a clean cloth or cotton swab to gently dab the area, then elevate the injured body part to help stop the bleeding. The bleeding should typically stop after a few minutes. If the bleeding continues beyond that time, it indicates the wound may be more serious, and you should see a doctor immediately.
Clean the wound or scratch. Rinse the wound with clean water and soap. You may also use a clean cloth. Make sure to remove visible dirt and gently clean the area so the injury doesn't become more severe.
- Sometimes, you may need to use sterile tweezers to remove dirt from the wound. If you can't remove all debris or other objects, it's important to consult a doctor right away.
- Avoid using harsh substances like iodine or hydrogen peroxide. These can cause further skin damage.
Dress the wound
Use antibiotic ointment. Apply a small amount of ointment to the cleaned wound. Polysporin or Neosporin are good ointments that can prevent infection and help the skin heal faster.
- Discontinue use of the antibiotic ointment if you develop a rash.
Bandage the wound. Use a sterile bandage to prevent the wound from getting infected. This step isn't necessary if the injury is small. For instance, if the skin is only slightly scratched, a bandage may not be required. In fact, leaving the wound exposed may allow it to heal faster.
Change the bandage regularly. If you have bandaged the wound, make sure to replace the bandage whenever it gets wet or dirty. Typically, you should change the bandage at least once a day. If the wound has scabbed over or healed, there's no need to keep it bandaged. At that point, leaving the wound exposed to fresh air can help it heal faster.
Watch for signs of infection. If you notice any signs of infection, seek medical attention immediately. Signs of infection may include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound, pus drainage, or increasing pain. You should also watch for a red streak near the wound or any signs of fever.
