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» First Aid » Minor Cuts, Scrapes, and Bruises |
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TREATMENT
- Wash with cool water and bland soap. Cover with a light protective adhesive bandage (such as a Band-Aid or Telfa strip).
- Use of an antibiotic or antiseptic is optional. Avoid using alcohol. Hydrogen peroxide kills some microorganisms by generating oxygen at the site of a cut, but it is a weak antiseptic. Stronger substances include iodine complexes such as Betadine and benzalkonium chloride (Zephiran).
- Facial scrapes should be thoroughly washed to remove debris and, after treating with antiseptic or antibiotic cream, should be left unbandaged.
- Treat bruises that involve bleeding into the tissue beneath the outer layer of skin with cold packs to reduce swelling.
- For deeper cuts that go through the skin, control bleeding by direct pressure and elevation. If bleeding persists or recurs, the wound may need a doctor's care to be closed with tape or stitches.
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