Cuts, scrapes, and punctures can all result in bleeding.
Cuts slice the skin open. Close a cut so it
won't get infected.
Scrapes hurt only the top part of your
skin. They can hurt more than cuts, but they heal quicker.
Punctures stab deep. Leave punctures open
so they won't get infected.
You can treat most cuts, scrapes, and punctures yourself. But you should get emergency care if you are bleeding a lot, or if you are hurt very badly. Blood gets thicker after bleeding for a few minutes. This is called clotting. Clotting slows down bleeding. Press on the cut to help slow down the bleeding. You may have to apply pressure for 10 minutes or more for a bad cut. Sometimes a cut needs stitches. Stitches help the cut heal.
Questions to Ask
| Is the bleeding from the cut, scrape, or puncture severe? Has the
victim gone into shock? Does blood spurt from the wound? Has a lot of blood been lost (in
an adult, 1/2 cup or more, less in a child)? {Note: See First Aid for Major Bleeding under Self-Care Tips below.}  |
 |
| Is there still a lot of bleeding, even though pressure has been
applied for 10 minutes or more? {Note: See First Aid for Major Bleeding under Self-Care Tips below.} |
|
Does the cut or puncture have any of these signs? (If so, the cut
will likely need stitches.) The cut or puncture is deep (i.e.,
appears to go down to the muscle or bone) and/or is located on the scalp or face. The cut is longer than an inch and located
on an area of the body that bends, such as the elbow, knee or finger. (Bending will put
pressure on the cut.) The skin on the edges of the cut hangs open. Bleeding from what seems to be a minor cut
continues after 20 minutes of applied pressure.{Note: Apply pressure to the wound to slow or stop the bleeding.} |
|
| Is the cut or puncture from dirty or contaminated objects, such as
rusty nails or objects in the soil, or does the puncture go through a shoe, especially a
rubber-soled one? {Note: See your doctor right away for advice on getting a tetanus shot.} |
 |
| Did any of these signs of infection appear a day or two after the
injury? Fever of 101oF or higher Redness, swelling, tenderness at and around
the site of the wound Increased pain General ill feeling Swollen lymph nodes |
|
First
Aid for Major Bleeding:
Monitor for signs of
shock. (See Shock)
Put on disposable latex rubber gloves, if
available. (See First-Aid Precautions)
Apply direct pressure to the wound using a
clean cloth or sterile bandage.
Put pressure on the wound for at least 10
minutes. {Note: If the cut is large and the edges of it gape open,
pinch the edge of the wound while applying pressure.}
If bleeding continues before emergency help
arrives, put extra cloths or bandages on top of existing ones and reapply pressure.
Elevate the wounded area higher than heart
level while you apply pressure if there is no broken bone.
Do not remove an object that is stuck in a
wound. Pack the object in place with padding and put tape around the padding so it doesn't
move.
If bleeding still continues after 15 to 20
minutes of direct pressure, apply pressure to a "pressure point." Use the
pressure point closest to the bleeding site that is between the wound and the heart. (See
chart and picture of pressure points.)
Pressure Points
1. Wrists - palm surface, thumb side
2. Wrists - palm surface, pinky side
3. Under armpits
4. Insides of arms, halfway between elbows and armpits
5. Groin, about halfway between hips and genitals
6. Temples
7. Behind knees
Continue to apply pressure to the
bleeding site while you use flat fingers to put pressure on the pressure point. Do this
until bleeding stops. Do not apply a tourniquet except to save a life.
Continue to monitor for signs of shock.
First
Aid for Bleeding from the Scalp:
Control bleeding by
putting pressure around the edges of the wound, not on the wound. Make a ring pad (shaped
like a doughnut) with a narrow bandage of narrow but long strips of cloth. Start with one
end of the narrow bandage and wrap it around all four fingers on one hand until you form a
loop. Leave a long strip of the bandage material to weave in and around the loop so it
doesn't ravel. Use this ring pad to apply pressure around the edges of the wound.
Don't wash the wound or apply an antiseptic
or any other fluid to it.
If blood or pink-colored fluid is coming
from the ear, nose, or mouth, let it drain. Do not try to stop its flow.
First Aid for Cuts and Scrapes:
Clean around the wound with
soap and water.
Press on the cut to stop the bleeding, and
continue for up to 10 minutes if you need to. Use a sterile bandage, clean cloth, or, if
these are not available, a clean hand. (Try not to use dry gauze. It can stick to the
wound.) Don't use a band-aid for applying pressure.
Press on the cut again if it keeps
bleeding. Get help if it is still bleeding after 20 or more minutes. Keep pressing on it
while you wait for help.
Lift the part of the body with the cut
higher than the heart. This slows down blood flow to that spot.
Apply a first-aid cream, such as Neosporin
or Johnson & Johnson, on the cut after it has stopped bleeding and when it is clean
and dry. Apply it with a sterile cloth or cotton swab.
Put one or more bandages on the cut. Do it
this way:
Put the bandage across the cut so it can help hold the cut together.
The sides of the cut should touch but not overlap.
Don't touch the cut with your hand.
You can use a butterfly bandage if you have one.
Use more than one bandage for a long cut.
For scrapes, make a bandage from gauze and first-aid tape.
Leave the bandage on for 24 hours. Change
the bandage every day or two or more often if you need to. Be careful when you take the
bandage off. You don't want to make the cut bleed again. If you have used gauze, wet it
before you pull it off.
Take an over-the-counter medicine for pain.
Don't take aspirin every day unless your doctor tells you to, because taking it too much
can keep the blood from clotting. {Note: See Pain relievers in "Your Home Pharmacy".}
Call your doctor or local health department
if you have not had a tetanus shot in the last 10 years. (5 years for a deep puncture).
If the wound is on a child, check with the
child's doctor or local health department to find out if the child's DTaP or DTP
immunizations are up-to-date. (See Immunization Schedule)
Contact your doctor if you notice any signs
of infection a day or two after the injury. These include:
Fever of 101oF or higher
Redness, swelling, tenderness at and around the site of the wound
Increased pain
General ill feeling
First Aid for Punctures that Cause Minor
Bleeding:
Let the wound bleed to
clean itself out.
Remove the object that caused the puncture.
Use clean sterile tweezers. To sterilize them, hold a lit match or flame to the ends of
the tweezers. {Note: Don't pull anything out of a puncture wound
if blood gushes from it or if it has been bleeding badly. Get emergency care.}
Wash the wound with warm water and soap or
take a bath or shower to clean it.
Leave the wound open. Cover it with a
bandage if it is big or still bleeds a little.
Soak the wound in warm, soapy water 2 to 4
times a day. Then dry it well and apply an antibiotic cream such as Neosporin. Cover it
with a bandage.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 04/20/99