A scratch is a wound that typically does not cut through the entire thickness of the skin, unlike the cut that usually cuts through it to the underlying muscle. Regardless, though, deep scratches can be painful and bleeding. If you have suffered a deep scratch you can try to treat it at home, or you can go to a medical facility. However, if it seems to you that the scratch is more than 6.3 mm deep, you must go to the hospital for the stitches. Scratches that aren't that deep, on the other hand, can be treated by squeezing, cleaning and bandaging right at home. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Treat the Wound Immediately
Step 1. Apply direct pressure to the wound to stop bleeding
When you suffer a scratch, especially if it is deep, bleeding can occur. The body tries to stop it by producing tampons and clots which are made up of protein cells and platelets (which are a normal component of the blood). However, if the bleeding extends over a larger area, such as when the scratch is particularly large or deep, you can lose a lot of blood very quickly before these clots form. That is why it is so important to put pressure on the wound. To do this:
Apply a bandage or clean cloth directly to the wound to slow bleeding. Do not give in to the desire to check it to see if the blood has stopped, you should keep the cloth on the wound for at least 10 minutes, when the scratch is deep. If the bleeding continues for more than 20 minutes without abating, seek immediate medical attention. Keep applying pressure as you go to the hospital.
Step 2. Wash the wound with warm water
Once the blood flow has stopped, you need to wash the injured area to avoid the possibility of any infection. When hot blood escapes from the body after an injury, it creates the perfect environment and atmosphere for the development of all types of bacteria and microorganisms, so it is important to wash the wound as soon as possible. Here's how to do it:
- Wet a few pieces of gauze or a clean cloth with warm water. Do not use hot water as it could restart bleeding as the heat accelerates the flow of blood. Clean up excess blood and any foreign objects (such as dirt or debris) that may be in or near the wound. Blot the area with a clean towel.
- Don't use soap directly on the wound, as it can irritate the wound, but you can use it to wash the area around the scratch.
Step 3. Remove possible foreign objects that are trapped inside the wound or on the edges
You can use tweezers (which you must first clean with a few drops of alcohol), if you have one available, to extract and remove any debris from the injured area.
- If you don't have tweezers, take a cloth or piece of gauze to remove foreign objects in and around the wound.
- Be sure not to push or touch the insides of the scratch with tweezers as this could damage the tissues and cause further bleeding.
Step 4. Apply antibiotic cream
Even if you think you have all the dirt removed, there is still a chance that the wound could become infected. For this reason, it is always advisable to apply an antibiotic cream, which also keeps the scratch moist, preventing it from breaking or getting worse when you move. A thin layer of ointment, or antibiotic powder, covering the wound area should suffice.
- Neosporin, Polysporin, and Bacitracin are three of the most common products used for this type of injury.
- You can also use hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide) to initially clean the wound, but it should not be applied over the long term because it can cause damage to the tissue in and around the injured area.
Step 5. Bandage the wound
Proper bandaging on the scratch allows the body to begin repairing the damage. If an appropriate bandage is performed, there is usually no need for further medical treatment, such as stitches. To do this:
- Apply a piece or two of sterile gauze to the wound. Hold them in place and stick the ends to the skin with medical tape.
- Alternatively, if you have a large patch that fits the size of the scratch, you can use this to cover the wound.
Step 6. Know when to go to the hospital
It is always okay to clean and bandage a deep scratch, but there are some cases that require medical intervention, when the wound is deep enough. If you have any of the following conditions, you should go to the hospital right away as a deep scratch could become very dangerous when combined with other medical conditions. Among these conditions are:
- Blood disorders / bleeding.
- Diabetes.
- Heart disease.
- Kidney and liver disease.
- Weak immune defenses.
Part 2 of 3: Caring for the Wound While Healing
Step 1. Change the dressing two or three times a day
Changing the bandage allows two things: the wound is cleaned and covered with new fresh bandages, you can also inspect the scratch and check if there is an infection in progress. Do not leave a bandage on for more than 24 hours.
It would be advisable to change the bandage every time it gets wet or dirty, as dirty bandages can cause an infection
Step 2. Wash the wound when it is without bandage
When changing the dressing, you should also wash the area to prevent infections. Use warm soapy water and apply another thin layer of antibiotic ointment before putting on a new bandage.
Step 3. Check if the area becomes faded
A healing wound is pink in color, so don't be alarmed if the skin around the wound is pink in color. However, you have to worry if the skin turns yellow or black.
- If the skin is yellow it indicates that the wound is infected.
- If the skin is black it means that the tissue around the wound is dying or has died because the wound has become severely infected.
Step 4. Check the liquid coming out of the scratch
Initially, a liquid mixed with blood may come out of the wound; this is normal. If there is pus (which is referred to as a purulent discharge) with a blue, green, or yellow tinge, it means that the wound is infected with bacteria.
Step 5. Monitor the cut if you notice it shrinking in size
If you can, on the day you injure yourself, try to measure the length and width of the scratch. As the days go by after the injury, check it out and see if it is shrinking. If it gets smaller and smaller over time, it means it is healing.
Conversely, if you notice that it seems to get bigger or swollen, it is very likely that it is infected
Step 6. Look at the edges of the wound if you notice granulation tissue forming
In this case, it is the skin that takes on an uneven or grainy appearance around the edges of the lesion. While this may sound strange, it is good for the skin to become grainy because it means the wound is healing.
The granulation tissue should be pink or red and semi-glossy
Step 7. Smell the wound
It may seem like a strange thing to do, but by smelling the scratch you can tell if it is infected. When there is an infection, the area smells a bit rotten and unpleasant, while if the area is not infected it smells the same as any other part of the skin (obviously excluding all the ointments you have applied).
Step 8. Feel the skin around the wound for any signs of fever
When the body detects an infection, it sends heat to the area to burn and kill the bacteria. If the scratch becomes infected, the area around the wound is warm to the touch.
Part 3 of 3: Treating an Infected Wound
Step 1. See a doctor if you think the wound may be infected or if the bleeding doesn't stop right away
If you've just injured yourself and the blood doesn't stop even applying pressure, you should go to the hospital. If you have already had the wound for some time and have noticed that it is infected, you should see a doctor, because if you do not treat it, the blood could poison itself, leading to life-threatening situations.
- If you have a fever or the skin around the wound is very hot, go to the hospital.
- If yellow or greenish liquid leaks from the scratch, go to a hospital.
- If you notice a bright yellow or black color around the wound, go to the hospital.
Step 2. Get the tetanus vaccination
If the wound has become infected, you will most likely be given a tetanus shot to fight the infection. This vaccine is usually done every 10 years, but if the wound is pretty deep, your doctor may recommend that you have an injection.
It would be advisable to have a tetanus shot as soon as possible after the injury, in order to ensure that you do not develop tetanus
Step 3. Take the antibiotics
If the scratch is deep or infected, you will be prescribed antibiotics to fight or prevent further infections. The most common antibiotic for this condition is erythromycin. Follow the doctor's instructions regarding taking the drug.
- Your doctor will most likely prescribe a dosage of 250mg, to be taken four times a day for 5-7 days. The drug should be taken half an hour to 2 hours before meals to achieve maximum absorption in the body.
- Your doctor may also prescribe pain relievers, depending on how painful the wound is.
Step 4. Have the scratch sewn if it is deep enough
Large and very deep wounds typically need to be stitched up. If the lesion has entered more than 6mm deep and is open, it requires sutures. It will be a nurse or doctor who will perform this task and tell you how to handle the stitches once they are placed on the wound.
Advice
- Follow a protein-rich diet to improve the healing process, as much of the body's recovery process depends on the action of various proteins within the cells and tissues of the body.
- Keep in mind that depending on how deep the wound is, it could take up to 10 days to heal.
Warnings
- If you're applying pressure and the bleeding doesn't stop, go to the hospital right away.
- If you notice a black discoloration around the scratch, go to the hospital immediately.
