Cleaning a wound

You can treat most simple cuts, grazes and small wounds at home with a plaster or dressing.

For more serious cuts and wounds, you may need to get medical help.

How to clean a wound

It's important to clean a wound before you put on a plaster or dressing. Cleaning reduces the risk of infection and helps the healing process.

Before you clean a wound

Before you clean a wound:

• wash and dry your hands
• wear disposable gloves if you have them
• apply pressure to the area if it is bleeding - raise the affected area above the level of the heart if possible
• check if anything is stuck in the wound

Do not try to remove anything that is stuck in the wound. Get medical advice.

Cleaning a wound

If you are treating someone else, tell them what you're doing. Ask them to sit or lie down.

To clean a wound:

1. Hold the wound under running tap water for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Soak a gauze dressing or a clean cloth in tap water or saline solution (salt water).
3. Dab or wipe the area gently with the wet dressing or cloth.
4. Gently pat the area dry using a clean towel or tissues.
5. Apply a sterile, non-stick pad to the wound.
6. Cover the pad with a bandage or waterproof plaster.

Do not use:

• non-sterile, alcohol-free wipes - they may contain bacteria that can cause infection
• anything fluffy that could stick to the wound - for example, cotton wool

If the wound keeps bleeding

A plaster or larger dressing is usually all that you need to stop a wound bleeding.

If blood soaks through the dressing:

• leave the dressing in place
• apply pressure to the wound for a few minutes
• add another dressing on top

Get medical advice if:

• the wound does not stop bleeding after you apply pressure for 10 minutes
• you take blood-thinning medicines