Bleeding from small cuts and grazes can be controlled by applying pressure to the cut using a clean, non-fluffy pad (preferably a sterile dressing, if you have one) and by raising the injured part.
Once you're sure the cut is clean and the bleeding has stopped, apply an adhesive dressing. The cut should heal by itself within a few days.
However, you should seek medical advice from your GP or NHS walk-in centre if:
- the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of applying pressure,
- there is a chance that nerves or tendons have been affected,
- something is embedded within the cut,
- the cut occurred as a result of an animal or human bite, or was punctured by any other object that may cause infection, or
- the cut is on the mouth, face, hand or genitals.
You should also get medical assistance if you think the cut is not healing properly, or may be showing signs of infection. The cut may need to be cleaned or stitched. There are several ways of closing a wound. These include:
- Traditional stitching (suturing). Depending on the location of the cut, dissolvable stitches may be used.
- Skin staples. Often used on the scalp (where hair makes it awkward to use wound closure tapes).
- Wound closure tapes (called Steristrips) or butterfly stitches, which hold the edges of the skin together.
- Skin adhesive (Dermabond), usually used on small surface cuts.
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