A break in the skin is known as a wound. Usually, a plaster, or larger dressing, is all that is needed to stop a wound bleeding. However, you might need to apply pressure to the area and, if an arm or leg is affected, you should raise it above heart level.

Before putting on a plaster, or other dressing, you will need to clean the wound. Follow the steps below to ensure that it does not become infected:

• Wash and dry your hands thoroughly.
• If treating someone else, tell them what you are doing.
• Make sure that the person is sitting, or lying, down.
• Clean the wound under running tap water, or use an alcohol-free wipe, but do not use antiseptic because it may damage the skin.
• Gently dry the area using a clean towel.
• Apply a sterile dressing, such as a bandage, or plaster.

When to see a doctor

You should always get medical advice if:

• the injury does not stop bleeding,
• the injury is very large, or very deep,
• there is something embedded (stuck) in the cut, or graze,
• the injury is to an artery, or on a joint crease,
• the injury is red, sore and painful, or has pus coming out (it may be infected),
• the injury is an old wound that looks like it might be infected, or
• the injury was caused by a bite (all animal and human bites need medical attention).

Most human bites are the result of a ‘closed fist injury’, where one person punches another person in the teeth and cuts their hand. Typical symptoms include small cuts to the hand, and red, swollen, and painful skin.

If you are unsure how serious your injury is, it is best to get a health care professional to check it. If you have a large wound, or a deep cut, they will need to examine it carefully to assess how serious it is. They will also be able to clean the wound thoroughly before stitching it up.

Tetanus vaccination

It is very important to check that you are up to date with your tetanus jabs if your skin is broken in an injury, or if you are bitten. You will be given a booster jab if your doctor thinks that you need one.

Relate Articles:

1. Belly But­ton dis­charge
2. Bleed­ing from small cuts and grazes
3. Emer­gen­cies – A crit­ical or life threat­en­ing situ­ations
4. How to apply a band­age and the three main types
5. Improve your First Aids skill (part 1)
6. Infec­tions from used needles or sharps
7. Injur­ies and bruises : Will I need any treat­ment?
8. 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. Bleeding from small cuts and grazes
2. Technique for applying plasters and dressings
3. Injuries and bruises– What you should know
4. Circumcision helps stop wart virus