How to treat cuts

Clean around the wound with soap and water. 

Press on the cut to stop the bleeding, and continue for up to 10 minutes or until you see the blood has formed a clot. For this use a sterile bandage, clean cloth, or if 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. 

Apply pressure on the wound again if it keeps bleeding. Get help if it is still bleeding after 20 minutes or more. 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 band-aids on the cut. Do it this way...put the band-aid across the cut so it can help hold the cut together. The sides of the cut skin 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. 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 aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium for pain. Don't take aspirin every day unless your doctor tells you to because taking it too much may keep the blood from clotting.

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