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If you have children or if you tend to be a klutz like me then you will encounter cuts and scrapes that are not medical emergencies. Minor cuts and scrapes do, however need some attention to ensure proper healing without infection. Below are some simple steps to treating and caring for a minor cut or scrape at home:

1. Apply pressure to the cut if it is bleeding with a clean gauze or tissue. You should wash your hands prior to touching the area to prevent contamination of the cut. Most minor cuts do not bleed for long and some gentle pressure held firmly for 10 - 15 minutes will usually stop the bleeding. It is important that you do not repeatedly lift the gauze/tissue to see if it has stopped bleeding because this can cause the clot that is forming to break loose and increase the bleeding time.

2. Rinse the injured area under cool water with a gentle stream. This will remove any dirt or other foreign bodies from the cut. Using soap, even an antibacterial soap, on the cut will irritate the wound and prolong the healing time. You can gently wash the surrounding area with mild soap being careful to not get the soap on the cut.

3. If dirt or debris remains in the cut, wipe a pair of tweezers with rubbing alcohol and gently remove what you can see. Do not attempt to dig out any debris. If there is visible debris that you cannot easily remove, medical attention is necessary to prevent further damage and risk of infection.

4. Apply an antibacterial cream to the area. This does not aid in the healing process but it does prevent infection.

5. Cover the area with a bandage to keep the wound protected from harmful bacteria that can cause unwanted infection.

6. Change the bandage at least once a day, more often if it gets wet or dirty. As soon as a scab begins to form remove the bandage. Applying an aloe vera or vitamin E ointment will decrease the amount of scarring.

There are times when what appears to be a minor cut needs medical attention. Seek medical attention if the cut bleeds for more than 20 minutes, if there is visible debris embedded in the cut, the cut is deeper than ", if it was caused by human or animal teeth, caused by a rusty object or if there are signs of infection such as redness, pus, fever or increasing pain.

A tetnus shot is recommended every 10 years. If the cut needs medical attention a tetnus shot will be given unless you have documentation of a tetnus vaccine within the past 5 years.

You will notice that I did not list the use of hydrogen peroxide on cuts or scrapes. These products have been used for years and most of us were taught by our parents to use them. There is disagreement within the medical community over the safety and effectiveness of their use.

Reading both sides of the issue will point to one fact: hydrogen peroxide causes damage to the tissues. No research has proven its effectiveness in speeding the healing process. It is true that hydrogen peroxide does kill bacteria. It kills all bacteria, both good and bad. Infection can be prevented without the use of hydrogen peroxide simply by washing your hands before treating any cut, cleaning the area well with clean water and applying an antibiotic ointment.

Proper care and treatment of minor cuts will allow the area to heal properly, without infection and little scarring. The products to keep on hand are gauze, bandages of multiple shapes and sizes and antibiotic ointment. If you are like me, you will be replacing these items often!

Learn more about this author, Valerie Johnson.
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