You’re rushing to prepare lunch for your kids and yourself before hurrying out the door in the morning and—slice! The knife slips out of place and cuts your finger. You don’t have time for this, so you slap a band aid on it and pretend it never happened.
Stop!
A small cut might not seem serious, but if you don’t clean it properly, it can easily get infected. This will lead to much more pain, inconvenience, and money spent later, so it’s better to take care of it in the beginning.
We’ve put together this guide to show you how to treat a wound with antiseptic cream so you’ll heal quickly. Make sure you keep reading below!
Do I Need to Use Antiseptic Cream on Every Cut, Scrape, and Burn?
No.
In fact, you should avoid using antiseptic cream (or other types of antibiotic creams) on large, serious burns and wounds. If the wound is too big, you should seek medical help instead. We’ll show you how to distinguish between minor and major injuries below.
That said, antiseptic cream is safe for most cuts, scrapes, and small burns. This cream will improve and speed up the healing process, and it will help protect your wound from infection. It’s a good idea to use antiseptic cream as often as you can on injuries.
However, if you get a small papercut on your finger, you don’t have to rush to the medicine cabinet. While the cream will still benefit you, you will recover just fine without it.
Use antiseptic cream whenever you feel it’s necessary or worthwhile to your healing.
How to Use Antiseptic Cream
If you’re treating another person, have them sit or lay down depending on the location of their wound. You should also take the time to explain everything you’re doing as you move through the steps below so they understand what’s happening and feel reassured.
1. Wash Your Hands
Start by washing your hands with soap and warm water. Spend a few extra minutes scrubbing between your fingers and up your wrists to ensure there’s no dirt or bacteria left on your skin. Otherwise, you might accidentally transfer this gunk into the wound, which can increase the risk of infection.
If you have medical gloves, that’s even better. Slip a pair on after you finish drying your hands.
2. Rinse the Wound
Hold the wound under running water for about five to 10 minutes to wash out any dirt or debris.
Is strong water pressure causing more pain? You can turn the water down, but do your best to keep the cut under the water for the full five minutes.
3. Dry the Wound
Grab a clean cloth and pat the wound dry. Don’t apply too much pressure or rub the cloth back and forth across the skin. This can tear at the edges of the cut and make it worse. It can also irritate the area and make the bleeding heavier.
4. Apply the Cream
Place a drop of antiseptic cream on your finger or a clean piece of gauze. Then dab the cream into the wound.
Be careful during this step. You don’t want to press too hard, or you will risk making the injury worse. Use slow, gentle movements and take your time to ensure you cover the entire cut.
Keep in mind, there are several different types of antiseptic cream available, and any of them will do the trick. So don’t worry that you aren’t using the right product. If you need to restock your first aid kit, you can click this page and find a lot of good options.
Don’t use cotton balls or other fluffy materials to apply the cream. The fibers will get stuck in the wound, which can further irritate the area and slow down the healing.
5. Bandage the Wound
Wrap the cut in a medical dressing, such as plaster. If the injury is small, a band aid may be all you need. Make sure you leave burns uncovered to improve the recovery process.
Signs You Need to Put the Antiseptic Cream Down and See a Doctor
Antiseptic cream is a great way to treat wounds at home, but you should never use it to replace professional medical help. In some cases, this type of cream isn’t enough, and you’ll need proper attention to ensure your injury heals the way it should.
If you notice any of these signs, head to your doctor’s office right away.
- The wound won’t stop bleeding
- There are large chunks of debris stuck in the cut (never try to remove this yourself as it can make the injury worse)
- The wound is big or deep
- You see signs of infection
- The cut is dangerously close to a major blood vessel
- You (or the patient) are in a lot of pain
It’s also important to remember that you should always visit a doctor if your wound was caused by an animal or human bite. Bites introduce your body to a lot of bacteria, and they can turn really nasty really fast without the proper help.
Getting Better and Back to Normal
Using antiseptic cream on your wounds will help you recover as fast as possible so you can get back into the swing of things. If you’re like most American adults, you have a busy schedule that can’t be put on hold, but you should always make time to look after yourself.
Health and safety should be your top priority.
Want to learn some other helpful medical tips? We have a lot of resources that will keep you feeling great, so make sure you take a look at the rest of our blog today!
