Alternate Names: Cut - wound; Open wound; Laceration
Considerations: All wounds need first aid (and medical attention if the wound is serious) in order to ensure proper healing and to avoid infection.
Always wash your hands with soap before and after giving first aid in order to avoid infection.
The following types of wounds are more likely to become infected: bites, punctures, crushing injuries, dirty wounds, wounds on the feet, and wounds that do not receive prompt medical attention.
Symptoms of a local infection include:
- heat in the area
- a painful or throbbing sensation
- swelling of the tissues in the area
- pus-like drainage
- redness around the wound
A local skin infection should be kept clean and dry, and an antibiotic cream or ointment applied (these are available over the counter). If the treatment is ineffective, or there is no treatment, a local skin infection could become a skin abscess.
Causes:
- cuts (lacerations)
- embedded objects
- fishhooks
- punctures
- scrapes
- splinters
- tears
- zippers
Symptoms:
- bleeding
- cut, scrape, or puncture
- loss of feeling below the wound site
- loss of function below the wound site
- pain
Do Not:
- DO NOT assume that a minor wound is clean because you can’t see anything inside. Wash it.
- DO NOT breathe on an open wound.
- DO NOT clean a large wound--this may cause even more bleeding.
- DO NOT probe or retrieve debris from a wound.
- DO NOT push exposed body parts back in and cover them with clean material.
- DO NOT try to clean a major wound after the bleeding is under control.
Call If:
- the bleeding cannot be stopped.
- the victim is seriously injured.
- the victim has been bitten by an animal.
Call your health care provider if a wound develops symptoms of a local infection (see Considerations)
First Aid: FOR SCRAPES:
1. Wash your hands before giving first aid.
2. Wash the cut thoroughly with mild soap and water.
3. If available, apply antibiotic ointment.
4. Apply a clean bandage.
FOR SPLINTERS:
1. Wash your hands with soap before giving first aid.
2. Use sterilized tweezers to grab the splinter. Pull it out at the same angle it went in.
3. If the splinter is just under the skin, use the tip of a sterilized needle to lift the splinter out.
4. Wash the area after the splinter is out. Bandage as necessary.
FOR LACERATIONS:
1. Wash your hands with soap before giving first aid.
2. Wash the wound thoroughly with mild soap and water.
3. Use direct pressure to control bleeding.
4. Bandage the wound with a butterfly bandage.
5. Get medical help.
FOR PUNCTURES:
1. Wash your hands before giving first aid.
2. Use a forceful stream of water (with soap) to rinse the puncture wound.
3. Without sealing off the wound hole(s), apply a clean bandage.
4. Get medical help.
FOR WOUNDS WITH EMBEDDED OBJECTS:
1. Avoid removing an embedded object.
2. Gently cut away any clothes from the wound.
3. If necessary in order to move the victim, stabilize and then cut away the object a few inches from the skin.
4. Wash your hands before giving first aid.
5. Control bleeding by using indirect (not direct) pressure to the area around the wound.
6. Immobilize the object while getting medical help.
Prevention: Keep knives, scissors, firearms, and breakables out of the reach of children. When they are old enough, teach your children to safely use knives and scissors.
Keep up-to-date on vaccinations. Tetanus immunization (vaccine) is generally recommended every 10 years.
