Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Cleaning the cut
• Part 2 of 2: Keeping the cut clean
• Necessities

Did you cut your finger while cooking, or were you injured while exercising? Injuries to the fingers are common, and usually you don't need to take them to the doctor; however, if the cut appears very deep, if the bleeding does not stop, or if there is an object in the cut (a piece of glass or metal, for example), you should seek immediate medical attention.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Cleaning the cut

1. Wash your hands before touching the cut. Then you reduce the chance of infections from bacteria on your hands.
   • If you have disposable gloves, put them on the other hand so you don't get bacteria in the wound.
2. Clean the cut. Use clean, running water to rinse the wound. Take a clean washcloth, wet it and put some soap on it. Clean the skin around the wound with the washcloth, but try not to get the soap into the wound as it can irritate it. Pat the cut dry with a clean towel when everything is clean.
   • If there is still dirt or particles in the wound after rinsing and washing it, try to get those pieces out with tweezers. Disinfect the tweezers with rubbing alcohol before touching the cut with them.
   • You don't need to use hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, iodine, or other cleansers to clean the wound, as it can irritate the damaged tissue.
   • If there is still debris in the wound or if it is difficult for you to get it out, go to the doctor or the emergency room.
3. Watch for blood spurting or oozing out. If blood is spraying from the wound, you may have cut an artery, and you should get immediate medical attention. You probably can't stop the bleeding yourself. Apply pressure to the wound with a clean washcloth, towel, or sterile gauze and go to the hospital emergency room. Do not apply a tourniquet to the wound.
   • If blood is oozing from the cut, you have cut a vein. A broken vein will stop bleeding after about 10 minutes with proper care and can usually be treated at home. As with severe bleeding, you should apply pressure to the wound with sterile gauze or bandage.
4. Check how deep the wound is. A deep wound that goes all the way through the skin and is open, showing fat or muscle tissue, must be stitched. If the wound is so deep that it needs stitching, go to the hospital as soon as possible. If the cut is superficial and doesn't bleed very much, you can treat it at home.
   • If a deep wound is stitched within a few hours, there is less chance of infection and scarring.
   • Usually, a wound that is less than 3 cm long and less than 0.5 cm deep, where you do not see any muscles or tendons, does not need to be stitched.
5. Stop the bleeding. A small cut usually stops bleeding on its own after a few minutes. If blood flows from the finger, use a clean cloth or sterile gauze to gently press on the wound.
   • Hold the finger up above the level of your heart. Keep a piece of gauze on the wound while holding your finger up so that the blood is absorbed.
6. Apply an antiseptic ointment to the wound. When the bleeding has stopped, apply a thin layer of Medicanol or other antiseptic ointment to the wound to keep the surface moist. Not only will the wound heal faster, but you will also prevent infections.
   • Some people get a rash from ingredients in these types of ointments. If you develop a rash, stop using the ointment.
7. Connect the cut. Put a band-aid on the wound to keep it clean and prevent harmful bacteria from entering.
   • Use a water-resistant plaster so that you can leave it on when you shower. If the patch gets wet, take it off, let the wound air dry, then put ointment back on and put on a new patch.
8. Take a pain reliever. If the cut hurts, you can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve the pain. Stick to the recommended dosage stated in the package leaflet.
   • A small cut should heal in a few days.
   • Don't take aspirin, as it thins the blood and makes your wound bleed more.

Part 2 of 2: Keeping the cut clean

1. Change the patch once a day. You should also change the patch if it is wet or dirty.
   • If the cut has healed enough and a crust forms on it, you can leave the plaster out. If you expose the cut to the air, it will heal faster.
2. See a doctor if the wound becomes swollen, very red, is full of pus, or if you develop a fever. These are signs of a possible infection. Have a doctor look at the cut if you experience these symptoms.
   • If you can't use your hand properly, or if your finger goes numb, you may have a serious infection and should see your doctor right away.
   • Red streaks radiating from the wound are a sign of a very serious infection that requires immediate medical attention.
   • If the cut was caused by an animal or human bite, you should also see the doctor. A bite from an animal, such as a dog or bat, puts you at risk for rabies. Other pets also have bacteria in their mouths that significantly increase the risk of infection.
3. Get a tetanus shot if the cut is deep or dirty. After the doctor has cleaned and stitched the wound, you can ask if you need a tetanus shot to prevent infection.
   • If you have not had a tetanus shot in the past five years and the wound is serious, you should get a shot as soon as possible.

Necessities

• Clean towel
• Running water
• Tweezers
• Cleaning alcohol
• Disinfectant ointment
• Band aids
• Sutures (with a large cut)