Cuts and scrapes

Once you injure your skin, it can no longer act as the barrier that it's supposed to be. So how do you treat a minor cut to ensure that it doesn't open door to trouble?

1. Let it bleed a bit. This helps the cut clean itself of pieces of dirt and debris. Do not use alcohol, iodine or mercurial solutions. These strong disinfectants can damage tissue.
2. If you have a gentle cleanser, such as mild, unscented soap, mix it with water, preferably lukewarm. Otherwise, liberally flood the cut with plain water, then rinse, Pat dry gently with sterile gauze or a clean cloth.
3. Encourage clotting by pressing down for five minutes on the washed cut with clean gauze, cloth, or if necessary, your bare hand. Release the pressure slowly. There is generally no need to apply an antibacterial ointment.