Cuts can happen often, especially minor ones around the house. Most of the time they can be treated at home pretty effectively, but more severe cuts sometimes can require medical attention. Even if a cut is so severe that it does need medical attention, knowing what to do before you leave for the emergency room can certainly make a huge difference. Knowing how to properly treat and care for a cut is absolutely essential for it to heal properly.

Regardless of the severity of the cut, always stop the bleeding before proceeding with further care. Typically minor cuts and scraps will stop bleeding easily on their own. If a cut doesn't stop bleeding on its own, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth for about twenty minutes. The pressure should be continuous, so don't lift the cloth to check if the bleeding has stopped. If bleeding from a cut can not be controlled with gentle pressure or it is spurting uncontrollably, it is time to seek medical assistance.

Once you have controlled or stopped the bleeding, you will need to clean the cut. Flush the cut with clean water and remove any debris like dirt, grass, hair, etc. with sterile tweezers. You can use a mild soap to clean the area surrounding the cut, but don't get soap inside the cut. Soap will only irritate the cut more. Water should be adequate to remove any debris or bacteria and it won't irritate the cut.

After the cut is cleaned up, apply a antibiotic cream to the cut. Initially you will cover the cut with a bandage to prevent bacteria from getting in. Make sure you change you bandage at least once daily. Once the cut begins to heal and has a layer of skin or a scab, you can remove the bandage and allow the cut to be exposed to the air.

There are a few clear signs that a cut requires medical intervention. If your cut is deep, has jagged edges or has fat tissue or muscle exposed, you probably need stitches. A cut may also require medical attention if it becomes infected. Watch cuts carefully for signs of infection like pain, redness, swelling, puss or if the cut feels unusually warm. Additionally, if you have not had a tetanus shot in the past decade and your cut is exceptionally deep, dirty or you cut yourself on glass or metal, call your doctor to get the tetanus shot right away.