Basic Wound Care

Steps

Follow these in order when you need this skill.

1. 1

   Wash your hands

   Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before touching a wound.

2. 2

   Control any bleeding

   Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth until bleeding stops. For minor wounds, this usually takes a few minutes.

3. 3

   Clean the wound

   Rinse with clean running water to remove dirt and debris. Gently clean around the wound with soap — avoid getting soap deep inside. Do not use harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or iodine routinely on open wounds unless advised.

4. 4

   Remove visible debris carefully

   Use clean tweezers for visible dirt or glass. If debris is embedded or you cannot remove it, seek medical help — do not dig.

5. 5

   Apply dressing

   Cover with sterile gauze or adhesive bandage. Change daily or when wet or dirty. Keep dry and clean.

6. 6

   Know when to seek professional care

   Get medical help for: deep cuts, gaping wounds, embedded objects, animal bites, puncture wounds, signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, pus, fever), wounds that will not stop bleeding, or if tetanus vaccination is not up to date.

Key takeaways

• ✓Clean hands, clean water, clean dressing.
• ✓Control bleeding first, then clean and cover.
• ✓Do not remove embedded objects — seek help.
• ✓Animal bites and deep wounds need professional assessment.