They are a childhood rite of passage, and certainly not something adults are immune to. Whether you’ve come off your bike, chopped more than just the vegetables, or endured some other skin-skimming mishap, be comforted by the fact that cuts and grazes are usually minor and easily taken care of at home.
Although they are among the most common injuries, and can be painful, they also tend to heal quickly with most cuts and grazes often only damaging the surface layer of skin1.
Before taking care of any wound, you should wash your hands to help minimise the risk of infection. Minor cuts or scraps will often stop bleeding on their own, but if needed, apply gentle pressure with a clean bandage or cloth to stop the flow of blood. To clean the wound, rinse with clean water and use sterilised tweezers to pick out any dirt or debris. Next, apply an antiseptic cream to help prevent infection and soothe the area and avoid infection, before covering the wound with a bandage or gauze2.
Suitable for all ages, SOOV CREAM is a general-purpose antiseptic cream, ideal for use on cuts and grazes, as well as minor burns, scalds and sunburn. SOOV CREAM contains lignocaine hydrochloride, which helps to numb the affected area to help provide fast pain relief. It also contains different antiseptics, including cetrimide and chlorhexidine gluconate to help prevent infection. SOOV Cream’s soft cream base makes it easy to apply, which is great news for tender and sore skin.
Be sure to keep your dressing clean by changing it at least once a day, or whenever it becomes dirty or wet. Get a tetanus shot if you haven’t had one in the previous 10 years (five years if there was dirt in the wound)3 and keep an eye out for signs of infection, including spreading redness, pus, increasing pain, swelling, and fever4. If you think your wound is infected, see your GP.
In severe cases, cuts and grazes may need medical attention, such as stitches. See your doctor if:
- you can’t clean out the debris
- you have cut your hand from punching something
- the cut is over a joint
- the wound is more than a few millimetres deep or it gapes
- the wound is in, or near, your eye
- the pain gets worse, or the redness and swelling is increasing
- you develop a temperature
- the wound is from a bite
- the cut or abrasion was sustained in dirty water
- you have diabetes.
Always read the label and use only as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional.