How are cuts treated?
The most important thing to remember when dealing with a cut or open wound is to keep it clean. To prevent infection, make sure that anything that touches the scrape or cut is as clean as possible. This is not always easy, as bacteria are on almost everything in our environment. However, most medical supplies are sterilized and free of bacteria that may cause infection. The first step in treating a cut is to control or stop the bleeding by applying firm and even pressure that is not too hard – you don’t want to cut off the circulation. Resist the temptation to keep checking to see if the blood has stopped, as you might disturb the healing process. Wait a few minutes before looking. If there’s a lot of blood and it’s coming through the padding you’re using, don’t remove the padding; cover it with another cloth or pad and continue to apply pressure. This allows clotting to continue undisturbed. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, keep applying pressure and get the cut checked by a doctor. Many
