How to Treat Lacerations: A Step-By-Step Guide
Unfortunately, there isn’t one-size-fits-all first-aid for lacerations, as treatment depends on the size, severity, and location of the injury. That said, there are a few standard treatments that you can use as a starting point to treat almost any cut. Here’s a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to treat basic lacerations and when to seek additional medical help or emergency care.Stop the Bleeding
Before you can start treating a laceration, you need to stop the bleeding. Start by wrapping and compressing the wound and elevating it at or above heart level, if possible, for around 15 minutes. Putting pressure on the wound for a prolonged period will give the blood time to clot and give your body time to begin the healing process. If there is debris inside the laceration, such as shards of broken glass or splinters of wood, remove them before applying pressure. If, at any point during the treatment process, the wound reopens and begins bleeding again, stop what you’re doing and re-apply pressure until the bleeding stops. If the wound is still bleeding heavily after applying pressure, or the blood is bright red and squirting or pulsating, the victim needs immediate emergency care. In this case, you may need to consider applying a tourniquet. A tourniquet is a last resort in dire situations, as restricting blood flow for prolonged periods can be very dangerous.Disinfect the Injury
Once the wound stops bleeding, it’s time to begin treating it. One of the biggest concerns when it comes to lacerations is the risk of infection. Thoroughly cleaning the wound is critical to the treatment process. Start by rinsing the laceration with clean, warm water, and washing the surrounding area with a mild soap. Avoid cleaning the wound with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide as it could cause tissue damage and slow the healing process.Close the Wound
It is not always necessary to close a laceration, as most cuts can heal on their own given enough time. If a wound is large enough to require stitches, cover it loosely in gauze to protect and keep it clean and visit your local Urgent Care Center for professional sutures. Do not attempt to close the wound yourself by any means, either by stitches, butterfly clips, or other means. If the injury is not scrupulously clean, you risk sealing an infection inside your body, which can have dangerous complications.Apply Bandages
Once the wound has been closed, you must protect it from additional dirt, debris, or bacteria. Cover the wound in sterile gauze. Then, wrap the area with roller gauze tightly enough so the wrapping will not slip, but loosely enough that you don’t cut off blood circulation. Finally, secure the wrapping with medical tape or wrap clips.Pain Relief
Finally, once you finish treating and covering the laceration, you can focus on addressing any additional discomfort. Standard ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help regulate any pain you may experience due to your injury. Keep in mind that both ibuprofen and acetaminophen each come with an array of potential side effects. Take into account any health conditions you may have or medications you may be on before taking either.Changing the Dressing
To ensure your laceration doesn’t get infected, you’re going to need to check it and change your wrapping at least once a day. When changing your dressing, start by washing your hands with disinfectant soap. Carefully unwrap the used bandage and dispose of it. Even if it doesn’t look dirty, throw it away, and get a fresh one. Next, gently but thoroughly clean the wound and the affected area with warm water and mild soap. Pat the area dry using a clean cloth and reapply antibacterial ointment. Finally, apply a fresh, sterile dressing to the wound. When changing the bandages on a laceration, always take some time to inspect the wound to make sure it’s healing correctly and to check for redness, swelling, pus, pain, or other signs of infection. Avoid the urge to touch, poke or pick at the wound, which will delay healing and risks introducing bacteria to the cut.When to Seek Professional Help
While you can treat smaller lacerations at home, there are a few instances when you should seek out help from a healthcare professional. When it comes to treating lacerations, there are two primary concerns: blood loss and infection. Blood loss is serious. Call 911 if:- Bleeding is due to a broken bone piercing through the skin.
- Blood is bright red and squirting with every heartbeat.
- The injury is caused by a stab or gunshot wound.
- The cut will not stop bleeding after reasonable compression time.
- The victim loses consciousness, even if it does not appear much blood has been lost.
- The cut will not stop bleeding due to an underlying condition, like diabetes.
