Wound Care Guide
Abrasion
How to treat
Don’t scrub at embedded dirt, as this can traumatise the site even more.
Cover the cleaned wound with an appropriate non-stick sterile dressing.
Change the dressing according to the manufacturer’s instructions (some may be left in place for several days to a week). If you reapply antiseptic, wash it off after five minutes and then redress the wound.
Infection
- Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected area.
- Red streaks extending from the affected area.
- Drainage of pus from the area.
- Fever
Laceration
How to treat
Clean the area with warm water and gentle soap.
Apply an antibiotic ointment to reduce chance of infection.
Put a sterile bandage on the area. In some people, antibiotic ointments may cause a rash. If this happens, stop using the ointment.
Call a health care provider if:
The cut is deep or over a joint
You cannot get the cut or laceration clean
The injury is a deep puncture wound or the person has not had a recent (within the last 5 to 10 years) tetanus shot or booster
The cut is from a human or animal bite
For a minor cut or laceration, remove bandage after a couple of days to promote healing.
See a heath care provider if the cut doesn't heal or shows signs of infection, including redness, swelling, pus, or excessive pain.
Infection
- Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected area.
- Red streaks extending from the affected area.
- Drainage of pus from the area.
- Fever
Puncture
How to treat it
Infection
- Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected area.
- Red streaks extending from the affected area.
- Drainage of pus from the area.
- Fever
Avulsion
How to treat it
Stitching the edges of the wound together, if the wound is small
Reattaching the avulsed skin
Grafting skin over the wound
Infection
- Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected area.
- Red streaks extending from the affected area.
- Drainage of pus from the area.
- Fever
Incision
How to treat it
Don't pull on stitches, staples, tape, or surgical glue.
Avoid scratching an itchy wound. ...
If you have a skin adhesive, keep the wound away from direct sunlight.
Infection
- Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected area.
- Red streaks extending from the affected area.
- Drainage of pus from the area.
- Fever
How to tell if you need stitches
Gaping open so that you can’t easily use gentle pressure to press the edges together
Located on or across a joint (You may also have damaged nerves, tendons, or ligaments.)
The result of an animal or human bite (You may need a tetanus booster shot or oral antibiotics, as well as stitches.)
A result of a foreign object impaling the area
Made by a high-pressure impact from a projectile like a bullet
Contaminated or resulting from a very dirty or rusty object
Bleeding profusely (and flow does not appear to slow)
On a cosmetically significant area, such as the face
On or near the genitalia