Cuts and grazes

Most cuts and grazes are minor and can be easily treated at home.

Stopping the bleeding, cleaning the wound thoroughly and covering it with a plaster or dressing is usually all that’s needed.

Minor wounds should start to heal within a few days.

How to treat cuts and grazes

Stop the bleeding

Stop any bleeding before applying a dressing to the wound. Apply pressure to the area using a clean and dry absorbent material – such as a bandage, towel or handkerchief – for several minutes.

If the cut is to your hand or arm, raise it above your head to help reduce the flow of blood.

If the injury is to a lower limb, lie down and raise the affected area above the level of your heart.

Clean the wound and apply a dressing

When the wound has stopped bleeding, clean it and cover it with a dressing to help stop it becoming infected.

To do this:

wash and dry your hands thoroughly
clean the wound under drinking-quality running tap water – avoid using antiseptic as it may damage the skin and slow healing
pat the area dry with a clean towel
apply a sterile adhesive dressing, such as a plaster

Keep the dressing clean by changing it as often as necessary. Keep the wound dry by using waterproof dressings, which will allow you to take showers.

You can remove the dressing after a few days, once the wound has closed itself.

Take pain relief if needed

If the wound is painful for the first few days, you can take over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

When to get medical help

Phone 111 if:

there’s a risk your wound could become infected
you think your wound is already infected

If your GP is closed, phone 111.

A wound is at risk of infection if:

it has been contaminated with dirt, pus or other bodily fluids
there was something in the wound before it was cleaned, such as gravel or a shard of glass
it has a jagged edge
it’s longer than 5cm (2 inches)
it was caused by an animal or human bite

Signs a wound has become infected include:

swelling, redness and increasing pain in the affected area
pus forming in or around the wound
feeling generally unwell
a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
swollen glands under the chin or in the neck, armpits or groin

An infected wound can usually be successfully treated with a short course of antibiotics.

Go to your nearest A&E if:

you cannot stop the bleeding
you’re bleeding from an artery – blood from an artery comes out in spurts with each beat of the heart, and is bright red and usually hard to control
you experience persisting or significant loss of sensation near the wound or you’re having trouble moving any body parts
you have received a severe cut to the face – you may require urgent treatment to prevent scarring
you have received a cut to the palm of your hand and it looks infected – these types of infection can spread quickly
there’s a possibility a foreign body is still inside the wound
the wound is very large or the injury has caused a lot of tissue damage

In A&E, your wound will be examined to determine whether there’s any risk of infection. You may need a booster injection to prevent tetanus, and your wound may be closed with stitches, strips or special glue before a dressing is applied.

If your wound is at risk of infection, it won’t usually be closed because this may trap any infection inside. Instead, it will be packed with a non-sticky dressing before being covered with a protective dressing until it’s safe to close.