Cuts and grazes are common injuries that can usually be treated at home. Learn what to do.
What is a cut?
A cut is when the skin is fully broken.
What is a graze?
A graze is when only the top layers of skin are scraped off.
Emergency advice
- Clean it, dry it, cover it with sterile gauze or a clean, non-fluffy cloth.
- Keep it raised and apply a dressing or plaster.
What to do
- Clean the wound by rinsing it under running water or using sterile wipes.
- Pat the wound dry using a gauze swab and cover it with sterile gauze. If you don’t have these, use a clean, non-fluffy cloth, like a tea towel.
- For a cut, raise and support the injured part above the level of the heart. Avoid touching the wound.
- Clean around the wound with soap and water. Make sure you are wiping away from the wound, using a clean swab for each stroke. Pat dry. Remove the cloth or gauze covering the wound and apply a sterile dressing or a large plaster.
- Seek medical help if:
- a wound won’t stop bleeding
- a foreign object is embedded in the wound – like a splinter of wood or glass
- the wound is from a human or animal bite
- you think the wound might be infected
- you are unsure whether the casualty has been immunised against tetanus.
Resource: St Johns Ambulance: https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/minor-illnesses-and-injuries/cuts-and-grazes/