Cuts, Scrapes and Puncture Wounds

Bad Bugs Slideshow

Medical Author: John P. Cunha, DO
Medical Editor: Willam C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is the best way to care for a cut or scrape?
• Who should seek medical care for a cut?
• What are the signs of a wound infection?
• How are puncture wounds different?
• Will I need a tetanus shot?
• Cuts, Scrapes and Puncture Wounds At A Glance
• Related first aid articles:
  First aid - on WebMD

The Mexican Pipeline: Surfing Medical Emergency in Mexico By Danielle Rivet MedicineNet.com Medically Reviewed by: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD As I packed my bags, the excitement of a surf trip to Mexico filled my mind. A good friend's birthday celebration and the X Games surfing competition being held with predictions of a large south swell were just some of the highlights I was looking forward to. Puerto Escondido, Mexico was the destination. It would be my first time venturing down to this particular part of mainland Mexico that has such powerful surf; it is known as the "Mexican Pipeline" because of its similar treacherous conditions to the famous Pipeline on Oahu's North shore. Despite the tales and warnings I received from other surfers about the place, I was ready for an adventure. Little could I have predicted that I would receive more "adventure" on this surf trip than I had anticipated. With three boards in tow and a week's supply of bikinis and clothes for hot humid weather, I set off to catch my flight to Puerto Escondido, Mexico. After a full night and half a day's journey, I exited the Puerto Escondido airport. The cab ride with other surf travelers, including even some pro surfers coming in to compete in the X Games, only took a few minutes to reach the hotel that faces the infamous beach break. As the luggage was unloaded, the sound of eight foot surf turned my head, and I found myself in perfect viewing distance of hollow beach break waves spitting surfers out right and left like baseballs in a batting cage. Read the rest of Danielle's surf accident story » Top Searched Cuts, Scrapes, and Puncture Wound Terms: MRSA, puncture wounds, open wounds, infected wounds, how to treat scrapes, first aid, staph infection, tetanus

What is the best way to care for a cut or scrape?

The first step in the care of cuts and scrapes is to stop the bleeding. Most wounds respond to gentle direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Hold the pressure continuously for approximately 10-20 minutes. If this fails to stop the bleeding or if bleeding is rapid you should seek medical assistance.

The next step is to thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water. Remove any foreign material, such as dirt or bits of grass, that might be in the wound and which can lead to infection. You may use tweezers (clean them with alcohol first) to remove foreign material from the wound edges, but do not dig into the wound as this may push bacteria deeper into the wound. You may also gently scrub the wound with a washcloth to remove dirt and debris. Hydrogen peroxide and providone-iodine (Betadine) products may be used to clean the wound initially, but may inhibit wound healing if used long-term.

Cover the area with a bandage (such as gauze or a Band-Aid) to help prevent infection and dirt from getting in the wound. A first aid antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin or Neosporin can be applied to help prevent infection and keep the wound moist.

Continued care to the wound is also important. Three times a day, wash the area gently with soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage. Also, change the bandage immediately if it gets dirty or wet.

Who should seek medical care for a cut?

If you cannot control the bleeding from a cut, seek medical attention. Any cut that goes beyond the top layer of skin or is deep enough to see into might need stitches (sutures), and should be seen by a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Generally, the sooner sutures are put in, the lower the risk of infection. Ideally, wounds should be repaired within six hours of the injury.

People with suppressed immune systems (including diabetics, cancer patients on chemotherapy, people who take steroid medications, such as prednisone, or people with HIV) are more likely to develop a wound infection and should be seen by a healthcare professional.

Any wound that shows signs of infection should be seen by a healthcare professional (the "What are the signs of a wound infection" section).

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