How to treat a cut

Cut your finger or hand? Don’t worry! Heal your cut faster with three easy steps: Cleanse – Protect – Heal. Also, find out how to stop the bleeding, recognise infections and when a cut may need stitches.

What is a cut?

While preparing dinner, repairing things, or gardening, cuts can happen to all of us. A cut is an opening in the skin caused by a sharp object like a knife, a work tool or even a piece of paper. A cut may penetrate deep into the skin, which could lead to strong bleeding and leave a scar.

 

 

Diagram of a cut showing skin and blood vessels
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How to stop the bleeding

Apply slight pressure to the cut using a sterile compress or clean piece of cloth. It’s best not to use cotton wool or other materials that could stick to the wound. A cut that you can treat at home should stop bleeding after a few minutes. If the bleeding continues, apply more gauze pads, keep the pressure on the wound and seek medical attention.
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Treat cuts with 3 easy steps

3 easy steps

1. CLEANSE

A clean wound is the first step to optimal healing. Cleanse the cut from dirt and bacteria with the Hansaplast Wound Spray to prevent infections fast and pain-free. Gently dry the wound and surrounding area. If you're helping someone, make sure you wash your hands first and wear disposable surgical gloves.

2. PROTECT

The second step is to protect your cut from dirt and bacteria to prevent infection and promote healing. Cover your cut with a plaster or sterile wound dressing. If it’s a larger area, use a sterile compress and fix it in place using tape or a bandage.

3. HEAL

In a third step, you can support your skin healing the wound safe, fast and with a lower risk of scars. Apply the Hansaplast Wound Healing Ointment regularly until your wound has healed completely. The ointment creates a breathable, protective film that helps wounds heal up to 2x faster than untreated wounds.
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How long does a cut take to heal?

Happy girl with plaster on finger
Most cuts usually heal within 5 to 10 days. But the healing time depends on many factors, such as the depth of the cut, its size and your age. Read more about wound healing.
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When to see a doctor? When does a cut need stitches?

If the bleeding is strong and does not stop despite applying pressure or if the wound is deep, large or wide, it is likely that the wound may need stitches. Apply a pressure bandage by covering the wound with a sterile compress and fix it with a gauze bandage, then consult a doctor as soon as possible.
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Infected cuts

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I recognise signs of infection?
Typical signs of an infection are redness, warmth, pain, swelling of the wound and occurrence of pus. Also, a fever may be a sign of an infection. If any of these symptoms appear or if the wound seems to heal particularly slowly, seek medical attention.
How can I prevent a wound infection?
Follow the ‘Cleanse. Protect. Heal.’ steps above, making sure that you clean the cut well and cover it while it’s healing. Also, remember not to pick off a scab. This could reopen the wound and introduce bacteria.
Can even small cuts get infected?
Yes. Any open wound can be prone to infections if it is not treated well and not protected from new dirt and bacteria. So, make sure to treat every size of wound properly.
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How to handle children’s cuts

Woman and child baking in kitchen

Children can be particularly anxious when they cut themselves. Here’s how to care for little people’s cuts:

  • Reassure. Stay calm and reassure the child that everything will be fine. 
  • Distract. Take their mind off the pain with a toy, treat or interesting thing to look at. 
  • Make treatment exciting. For example, use a colourful kid’s plaster with their favourite Disney character on it. 
  • Minimise pain. When cleansing the wound, apply a wound spray without alcohol or iodine, so it doesn’t burn.
  • Prevent. Help children avoid cuts by providing them with age-appropriate scissors and knives and restrict access to sharp objects.
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Related Articles

Always see a doctor if the wound is deep, bleeds heavily or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth. Please note that, although they were compiled with great care, the tips and advice given on this website by no means substitute medical advice and treatment. If you have or suspect a health problem, consult a doctor and follow medical advice, regardless of what you have learned on this website. Always read carefully and follow the instructions for use or the leaflets of our products.
For further information, please contact us via email at Hansaplast@Beiersdorf.com

How to treat a cut | Hansaplast

Cut your finger or hand? Don’t worry! Heal your cut faster with three easy steps: Cleanse – Protect – Heal. Also, find out how to stop the bleeding, recognise infections and when a cut needs stitches.