Cuts and Open Wounds

Cuts

Cuts are common injuries that can often be treated at home. Cuts are wounds where the skin is lacerated or torn. If the cut is deep, there may be bleeding.

How to treat at home

• Clean the cut by rinsing it under clear water or normal saline

• Apply an appropriate dressing and firm pressure to the wound area to stop the bleeding if necessary

• Use sterile gauze swabs to clean the wound

• Swipe gently outward from the wound area, using a new swab for each swipe

• With the corner of the swab, gently lift any foreign material out from the wound area

• Carefully pat the area dry with a clean gauze swab

• Apply a plaster or bandage

See your pharmacist if:

• You need further advice on how to manage your wound. Your pharmacist can also recommend other medications for your condition or advise if you need to see a GP, or visit the emergency department

See your GP if:

• There is visible dirt or foreign materials (e.g. splinter) stuck inside even after washing the cut

• The cut is caused by an animal or rusty object

• The cut shows no signs of improvement after more than a week has passed

• You notice signs of an infection, e.g. you also develop a fever, persistent redness and pain, swelling, or pus forming in the wound

Go to the emergency department if you are experiencing:

• The cut is deep and the bleeding does not stop

Open wounds

Open wounds are caused by injury to the skin. Apart from scarring, they may also result in infection

How to treat open wounds

• Wash your wounds with clear water or normal saline as soon as possible to remove dirt and debris

• Apply an appropriate dressing and firm pressure to the wound area to stop the bleeding if necessary

• Apply non-adherent dressing to the wound

• Keep the wounds clean and review them daily, looking out for signs of infection

See your pharmacist if:

• You need further advice on how to manage your wound. Your pharmacist can also recommend other medications for your condition or advise if you need to see a GP, or visit the emergency department

See your GP if you:

• Were bitten by an animal. Animal bite wounds are more likely to be infected compared to non-bite wounds

• Were cut by a rusty object and have not had a tetanus booster in the last 5 years

• The wound shows no signs of improvement after more than a week has passed

• You notice signs of an infection, e.g. you also develop a fever, persistent redness and pain, swelling, or pus forming in the wound

Go to the emergency department if:

• The open wound is deep and the bleeding does not stop

• Can see fat or deeper underlying structures like tendon, muscle or bone in the wound

• Suspect a foreign body in the wound

• Have painful swelling of the limb affecting movement (which may indicate a fracture)