Cuts and grazes

You can usually treat a cut or graze yourself by stopping any bleeding, carefully cleaning the wound and covering it with a plaster or bandage. See the section on how to clean and dress a wound below.

• Check the wound and make sure there's nothing stuck in it.
• Put pressure on the area for several minutes using a clean, folded cloth, eg, a bandage, towel or handkerchief.
• If the cut is on 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.
• When the bleeding has stopped, firmly wrap a new bandage over the cut. Check it after 10 minutes or so if you need to clean the wound.

Apps reviewed by Healthify

You may find it useful to look at some First aid and emergency apps.

• Wait till the wound has stopped bleeding (see how to stop bleeding above).
• Wash your hands well with soap and water.
• Clean the wound with tap water or use sterile saline solution if there is some in your first aid kit. Try to gently remove dirt or gravel if it's a graze.
• Gently pat the area dry with a clean cloth, towel or gauze swab. 
• Apply antiseptic cream like Savlon or Betadine (if you have some) if the wound needs cleaning. However, most small cuts and grazes will heal well without this.
• Cover with a non-stick dressing and keep dry for at least 24 hours if possible.
• Replace the dressing if it gets wet or dirty.
• Check whether you need a tetanus injection if it is more than 10 years since your last injection, or 5 years if the wound is dirty and deep.

See your doctor, nurse or urgent care clinic if:

• The cut or graze is swollen, red, has pus coming out of it, or the pain is worsening.
• Red streaks develop around the wound.
• The cut is deep (stab wound) or larger than about 5cm.
• You feel unwell or have a high temperature.
• The wound is contaminated with dirt or poo (faeces) as you might need a booster injection to prevent tetanus.
• The wound hasn't healed after 2 weeks.

Call 111  if:

• You have a cut or wound and can't stop the bleeding.
• The blood comes out in spurts, is bright red and hard to stop.
• You lose feeling near the wound.
• You have a bad cut on your face or the palm of your hand.
• The cut is very large or deep.
• There is something stuck in it, eg, a piece of glass.