Cuts and Grazes | Wound Care

Cuts, Grazes and Abrasions

Fortunately, the most common everyday injuries are minor wounds which can easily be attended to with a plaster.

Whether you have cut yourself while chopping some vegetables, grazed your skin while scratching along a wall or when falling on your hands – a plaster will attend to these minor injuries and help them heal better.

What kind of wound is it?

A cut with its dehiscent wound edges; © Elastoplast

A graze or abrasion extending to nerve endings;© Elastoplast

Cuts: A cut is an area of severed skin that has been penetrated with a sharp edge, such as a knife, a small tool or the edge of a sheet of paper (paper cuts are also painful). The wound will often bleed and have slightly dehiscent wound edges.

ABRASIONS CAN HURT BECAUSE
OF ALL THE NERVE ENDINGS
WE HAVE UNDER OUR SKIN

Grazes or abrasions: A usually harmless abrasion of the upper skin layers that occurs after falling on knees, hands or elbows, or scratching over a rough surface with some skin coming off subsequently. Abrasions can be painful since the injury often extends to the many fine nerve endings subjacent to the skin.

How to Treat Cuts, Abrasions and Other Wounds

Step 1

Remember to wash your hands carefully before treating a wound. Any break in the skin can be susceptible to bacteria penetrating.

Step 2

Clean the wound carefully, wiping away any dirt and grit. Use a clean cotton cloth with a mild disinfectant spray or rinse with cold water, then pat area dry before applying a clean dressing.

Do not remove embedded objects, leave that to medical staff. Usually it is recommended to disinfect the graze or abrasion.

Step 3

In any case, cover the cut or abrasion with a plaster. A plaster will protect the injured area from friction, bacteria and contamination, will absorb wound fluid and create conditions in which the wound can heal undisturbed.

Tip: Special Elastoplast plasters, such as Elastoplast Antibacterial Fabric Plasters, already contain antibacterial silver in the wound pad which will reduce the risk of infection.

Some simple steps for treating cuts, grazes and abrasions:

Stay calm and reassure the person, even when there is a lot of bleeding. Decide if the casualty needs medical aid; ask for advice, if not sure.

With children: Explain what you are doing, that it might be a little painful but they will soon feel better.

Make sure, you wash your hands before applying plasters or dressings or wear disposable surgical gloves – this will cut the risk of infection.

A minor wound will soon stop bleeding.
If it does not, apply a little pressure to the spot with a non-stick pad until it stops.

If the bleeding continues, apply more gauze pads and keep
pressure on the wound and seek medical advice.

Clean the wound carefully, wiping away any dirt and grit. Use a clean cotton cloth sprayed with disinfectant or rinse with cold water, then pat area dry before applying a clean dressing. Do not remove embedded objects, leave that to medical staff. If there is anything embedded in the skin, do not try to remove it. This should be left to a professional.

Disinfect, then cover the injured area with an appropriate dressing such as a wound pad, compress or an adhesive bandage.

Keep all cuts clean and change dressing regularly.

Wound Dressing FAQs

Is it not better to let small wounds dry at the fresh air, instead of putting on a plaster?

No. It is a wound care myth that keeping minor cuts and grazes uncovered helps them to heal faster. The contrary is true. Research shows that covered wounds heal more efficiently and have a reduced risk of infection. Moist wound healing technology, provides safe protection until the wound is completely healed.

How often should I change my plaster?

Usually, wound dressings and plasters should be changed daily for hygienic reasons. If you use an advanced plaster that provides moist wound healing conditions, it is recommended to leave it in place for up to two days or more in order to not interrupt the healing process.

It looks like my wound got infected and suppurates – What should I do?

Contact a medical professional as soon as you recognise signs of infection. Symptoms include not only the occurrence of pus but also symptoms such as swelling, redness, heat, pain, itching or burning. In case of infection the wound will need medical care and special medical treatment.

Wound infections are the major cause of wound healing disturbances, and wound infections are not rare - up to 50% of acute wounds become infected! Reduce the risk of infection from the very beginning.

Our Solutions

Always cover your cuts and grazes. Make sure to have a staple of different bandages and wound dressings at hand so that you are always ready, what ever the problem is.

Here are our products suitable for cuts and grazes

Preventing Minor Wounds

Tips

When using sharp tools, be especially careful and if necessary, wear protective gear

In the kitchen, chop away from yourself and remember that sharp knives are actually less dangerous than blunt ones as they will pass through the object smoother.

Pass scissors with the sharp ends pointing away from the person you are giving them to.

It is not possible to avoid all cuts and grazes, so make sure to have a well-stocked first aid kit at home

Don‘t pick at scabs. Right after you get a cut or scrape your body starts healing the wound. White blood cells attack infection-causing bacteria. Red blood cells, fibrin, and platelets create a clot over your wound. And in no time, a scab forms. If you pick off the scab, you may not only reopen the wound and introduce bacteria, you could also create a larger scar.

Always see your doctor if the wound is deep, bleeding or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth.

Also make sure to seek medical help if you are not able to clean the wound properly.
In case you have diabetes a proper wound care is of special importance. Always discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor and/or podiatrist, even for the care of minor wounds and skin cracks – especially on your feet.

Please note that none of the above given tips or recommendations substitute medical advice. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products‘ packages. Important: consult a health professional in case of any uncertainty of treating your wound properly.

The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care or advice. If you have or suspect a health problem, you should consult your doctor. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website.

For further information regarding Elastoplast products, please contact us via email on anz.consumerservices@beiersdorf.com. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products' packages.

Cuts and grazes – Cut yourself or suffered from a graze? Attend to it properly so that your skin can recover quickly.

What kind of wound is it?

It looks like my wound got infected and suppurates – What should I do?