Abrasions, cuts, lacerations

An abrasion is an injury caused by scraping away a portion of skin. A cut or laceration is a jagged or clean break in the skin. A puncture wound is a break in the skin caused by a penetrating object.

Self-Treatment

1. Wash gently with soap and warm water.
2. Rinse with Hydrogen Peroxide to remove foreign bodies.
3. Hold sterile pad firmly over wound until bleeding stops.
4. Apply antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) and clean, dry dressing.
5. Change dressing and reapply Neosporin daily. Change dressing more often if it becomes wet or soiled.
6. Check tetanus immunization history (call the Health Center, PBX 5525, if you are unsure of the date). If it has been longer than 5 years since your last tetanus, please have the wound checked at the Health Center for our assessment of the need for a tetanus booster.

Health Service Visit Recommended If:

1. Bleeding cannot be controlled.
2. Wound is deep and gaping.
3. Foreign object is imbedded in wound.
4. If signs and symptoms of infection develop:
   1. fever over 101 F after 24 hours
   2. swelling, redness and warmth around injury
   3. pus-filled drainage
5. if you are unsure...