Learning About Diagnosing Common Health Problems

Posted on: 18 July 2016

Lacerations, or cuts, happen all the time. Whether it's a tiny paper cut or a cut from a knife while chopping vegetables – they happen frequently. Since they are so common people often think about them as a minor problem. No, a cut isn't a life threatening emergency, but it can spiral into a more serious concern if it is not cared for correctly. Make sure you know how to properly care for your cut as well as how to monitor the healing process.

Caring For Your Cut

If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure to stop it. Next, you want to clean the area. Some people simply run their hands under the water for a few seconds, but this doesn't really do the job. To clean a wound, you need to use an antibacterial soap to wash the area and then run it under the water for several minutes. Antibacterial soap removes harmful bacteria.

Keeping the area under the water for several minutes helps remove any particles that might be stuck inside the wound that could potentially lead to an infection. If it's a minor cut, you can then apply an ointment with antibacterial qualities and place a bandage over it.

Don't Blow On The Wound

Don't ever blow on your cut. For some reason, people often think blowing on the cut will make it less painful. Not only is this not the case, but it can actually do more harm than good. The mouth is home to a countless number of bacteria, both good and bad.

When you blow on the wound, you introduce all the bacteria from your mouth to the wound, increasing the risk for infection. Never blow in an open wound.

When To Be Concerned

It's also important that you know what a problem looks like when monitoring the healing of your wound. First, always be cautious about warmth. If the area around the cut is warmer than the rest of your body, this is often an indication of infection. Infection typically also causes a throbbing sensation and in advanced stages may also produce a pus discharge.

You also want to observe the skin around the wound. If the skin starts to darken and look black, this is cause for concern. Although rare, this is an indication that the skin around the wound has died. This problem may also produce a foul odor. If any of these issues occur, prompt medical treatment is important.

Make sure you understand that all cuts can't be self-treated. Deep wounds or those that are bleeding heavily should be treated by a medical professional.

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