How to Properly Care for Minor Wounds

It is important to properly care for minor cuts and wounds to reduce the risks of infection and decrease scar tissue formation. Here are some important steps to follow for proper minor wound care.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Alcohol swabs
• Bandages
• Gauze
• Antiseptic cream
• First-aid kit

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Instructions

• 1

  For minor cuts or wounds the immediate thing to do is to wash the wound properly with soap and water. This will decrease the chance for bacteria to grow in the open skin wound, and will therefore decrease the risk of infection or abscess formation.

• 2

  Cover the wound with antiseptic ointment or cream before covering it with a bandage. This will help to promote healing and reduce formation of keloid scar tissue.

• 3

  Use the proper size and type of bandage for the wound. If the cut is very deep, then it is better to use a butterfly bandage to ensure the open edges of the cut are kept in place during the healing process. This will reduce scar tissue formation. The other option is to go to the ER and get stitches to help proper healing.

• 4

  If the wound covers a large area, follow Steps 1 to 3, but cover the wound with a piece of gauze before placing the bandage on top. Make sure you cover the entire area of the wound with the gauze. You can purchase gauze impregnated with petroleum jelly which helps to trap moisture in the wound and increases cell regeneration more rapidly, and will allow little air to pass through.