Cuts (superficial)
The majority of minor cuts can be managed at home and should heal within three to five days. A superficial cut, or laceration, is one that breaks the top-most layer of skin but doesn’t go deep enough to reach the fat or muscle layer underneath.
What can you find here
Healthwords pharmacists' top tips
You should first stop any bleeding by applying pressure for 10 minutes on the cut with a clean towel or sterile gauze, if handy. This allows the blood time to clot.
Once the bleeding has stopped, wash your hands, clean the cut under cool running water and gently pat dry with a clean towel or gauze. Put a plaster or sterile dressing over the wound and change this if it gets dirty or wet. Leave on for the following three to five days to allow recovery and protect from any dirt or infection getting in.
Once healed, be careful lifting off any plaster or dressing so as not to disturb the scab. This is a key part of healing and will protect your body from infection, so do allow the scab to dry out.
What can you find here