Caring For Cuts, Scrapes and Scratches (2024)

FAQs

Caring For Cuts, Scrapes and Scratches? ›

Covering a wound also helps create a more moist environment. This has been shown to aid in quicker and more scar-free healing. And of course, covering a wound also has the advantage of preventing you from accidentally reinjuring the area.

Covering a wound also helps create a more moist environment. This has been shown to aid in quicker and more scar-free healing. And of course, covering a wound also has the advantage of preventing you from accidentally reinjuring the area.

Remove any dirt or debris with tweezers cleaned with alcohol. See a healthcare professional if you can't remove all debris. Put on an antibiotic or petroleum jelly. Put on a thin layer of an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to keep the surface moist and help prevent scarring.

In fact, studies show that moist wounds heal 50 % faster than dry wounds. On the other hand, if a wound is exposed to the air, this creates a dry environment that actually promotes cell death, not healing. Wound exudate, or fluid, also plays a vital role in the healing process.

Once your cut or wound has been cleaned, the next step is to apply antibiotic ointment, such as NEOSPORIN^® First Aid Antibiotic Ointment. Apply a thin layer to your wound to kill bacteria and stop infection before it starts.

Most small wounds heal naturally with time, but home remedies — such as aloe vera, antibacterial ointment, or honey — may speed up the healing process.

NEOSPORIN^® is the number-one doctor recommended brand of topical antibiotic in the US. As with other topical antibiotics, it's typically used to treat skin infections and protect wounds from potential infection^1,2. NEOSPORIN^® products treat minor wounds such as scrapes, cuts and light burns.

To help the injured skin heal, use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist. Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.

Using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean an injury can actually harm the tissue and delay healing. The best way to clean a minor wound is with cool running water and mild soap. Rinse the wound for at least five minutes to remove dirt, debris, and bacteria.

Fresh fruits and vegetables eaten daily will also supply your body with other nutrients essential to wound healing such as vitamin A, copper and zinc. It may help to supplement your diet with extra vitamin C. Keep your wound dressed. Wounds heal faster if they are kept warm.

Is Neosporin better than Vaseline? ›

“In general, for most clean cuts or even surgical wounds, we will recommend Vaseline,” says Richard Flowers, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Virginia. Petroleum jelly, including popular brands like Vaseline, can help wounds heal by keeping them moist.

POLYSPORIN^® is a double antibiotic available in various formulations, including ointments and gels. Like NEOSPORIN^®, it contains bacitracin and polymyxin B. Unlike NEOSPORIN^®, which is a triple antibiotic, it does not contain neomycin⁴.

Chronic wounds may be covered by white or yellow shiny fibrinous tissue (see next article in this series). This tissue is avascular, and healing will proceed only when it is removed.

You should change your bandage daily especially if it gets dirty, wet, or compromised in any way. Be sure your hands are clean before changing a bandage, too. If you already have a scab, still cover it up. This will reduce the chances of re-injury from tearing or scratching at the scab.

The bandages placed on the burn protect the burn or wound from infection and promote the healing process.

The original dressing should be left in place for up to two days (or as advised by the nurse or doctor), provided it is not oozing. The wound must be kept dry for two days. If the dressing becomes wet from blood or any other liquid, it must be changed.

The first step is to identify why the wound is not healing. The next is to remove any dead tissue which attracts bacteria, causes inflammation, and incites infection. A process called surgical debridement removes any problematic tissue. Then, wound experts apply specialized topical antibacterial wound dressings.