Bleeding

Bleeding from small cuts and grazes can be controlled by applying pressure to the cut using a clean, non-fluffy pad (preferably a sterile dressing, if you have one) and by raising the injured part.

Once you’re sure the cut is clean and the bleeding has stopped, apply an adhesive dressing. The cut should heal by itself within a few days.

However, you should seek medical advice from your doctor if:

• the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of applying pressure,
• there is a chance that nerves or tendons have been affected,
• something is embedded within the cut,
• the cut occurred as a result of an animal or human bite, or was punctured by any other object that may cause infection, or
• the cut is on the mouth, face, hand or genitals.

You should also get medical assistance if you think the cut is not healing properly, or may be showing signs of infection. The cut may need to be cleaned or stitched. There are several ways of closing a wound. These include:

• Traditional stitching (suturing). Depending on the location of the cut, dissolvable stitches may be used.
• Skin staples. Often used on the scalp (where hair makes it awkward to use wound closure tapes).
• Wound closure tapes (called Steristrips) or butterfly stitches, which hold the edges of the skin together.
• Skin adhesive (Dermabond), usually used on small surface cuts.

Butterfly stitches

Butterfly stitches, called Steristrips, are narrow adhesive strips that help to close the edges of a small wound and encourage the skin to heal.

They can be applied to ‘v’-flap cuts on thin skin on the legs in the elderly, and to some cuts in children. They should not be used in areas where the skin moves a lot (for example, joints) or on oily, moist, or hairy areas.

If the wound is shallow, clean and uninfected, and you are sure that there is nothing embedded in it, butterfly strips can be used. Make sure the skin around the wound is also clean and dry. It’s not always necessary to use the full length of the strips, and you can cut them to a more appropriate length. Leave about 3mm between each strip.

• Carefully line up the edges of the wound.
• Push them together, and, starting at the middle of the wound, apply the strips to keep the edges closed.
• Place half of the strip on one side of the wound, bring the edges together by gently bringing the other side towards it, and then pass the strip over.
• Place strips alternately above and below the first strip – this helps to match up the edges and keeps the skin tension equal.
• To anchor the rows of strips in place, put two strips across the rows (one on each side of the wound).

A protective dressing is not usually necessary, but the wound must be kept dry until the strips are removed (around 5-7 days, or 10-14 days for cuts to the shinbone area).

If the wound does not stop bleeding once the strips have been applied, this is a sign that butterfly stitches are not suitable. You should seek medical advice, as another method of treating the wound may be required.

Bath and shower

It is advised that you avoid washing the area where you have stitches (also known as sutures) for the first 5-7 days. Keeping your stitches completely dry and clean will mean you are less likely to develop an infection.

If your stitches get wet accidentally, simply dry the area immediately with a towel and make sure all the moisture is soaked up around the stitches. Don’t use cotton wool as this can leave fibres behind that irritate the wound.

Keeping stitches dry

If you have stitches on your arm or leg, you can have a bath or shower as long as you keep your stitches dry. You could try wrapping a plastic bag or towel around your arm or leg and keep it out of the water. However, don’t risk this if there is any chance that the wound could get wet.

If there is no way you can have a bath or shower without getting your stitches wet, you could try having a standing wash. Use a cloth soaked with warm water to clean yourself, making sure the water is not too hot to avoid burning yourself.

If the stitches are on your head, you may not be able to wash your hair fully for several weeks, or at least until after the stitches have been removed.

After bathing, showering, or washing, dab your stitches dry with a clean towel, even if the wound area didn’t get wet, to ensure that the area is completely dry.

Relate articles:

1. Emer­gen­cies – A crit­ical or life threat­en­ing situ­ations
2. Improve your First Aids skill (part 1)
3. How to help someone who is chok­ing
4. Belly But­ton dis­charge
5. Injur­ies and bruises– What you should know 
6. How to apply a band­age and the three main types
7. Infec­tions from used needles or sharps 
8. Tech­nique for apply­ing plasters and dress­ings
9. Radi­ation emer­gen­cies
10. Five poten­tially ser­i­ous con­di­tions your baby may face

You have permission to reprint what you just read. The only requirement is including the following footer with it…
”Article by allvitalpoints.com, visit http://www.allvitalpoints.com for more original content like this. Reprint permission granted with this footer included.”

Related posts:

1. Technique for applying plasters and dressings
2. Injuries and bruises– What you should know