What is the best way to care for a cut or scrape?
The most important first step is to thoroughly clean wound with soap and water being careful to remove any foreign material, such as dirt or bits of grass, that might be in wound and which can lead to infection. The area should then be kept clean and dry.

Covering area with bandage (such as gauze or a band-aid) helps prevent infection and dirt from getting in wound. A first aid ointment, such as Bacitracin or Neosporin, can be applied to help prevent infection. Generally, however, these products are best avoided on hands and feet beyond first day because they can delay healing in these areas.

Continued care to wound is also important. Washing area gently with soap and water daily without scrubbing is best as wound heals. Avoid putting products such as hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or iodine solutions in wound. These only delay wound healing and do not do anything to prevent the infection.

Who should seek medical care for a cut?
People who have diabetes, other long-term illnesses such as cancer, or are taking drugs that suppress immune system such as steroids (cortisone medications like prednisone and prednisolone) or chemotherapy, are more likely to develop wound infection and should be seen by a health care professional.

Any cut that goes beyond top layer of the skin that might need stitches (sutures) should be seen by a health care professional. Generally, the sooner sutures are put in, the lower the risk of infection. Therefore, any cut that might need suturing should be seen as soon as possible.

What are signs of a wound infection?
If the wound begins to drain greenish fluid (pus) or if skin around wound becomes red, warm, swollen, or increasingly painful, a wound infection may be present and medical care should be sought.

Any red streaking of skin around wound may indicate infection in system that drains fluid from tissues, called lymph system. This infection (lymphangitis) can be serious, especially if it is accompanied by a fever. Prompt medical care should be sought if streaking redness from a wound is noticed.