Health Tip: Cleaning a Cut

(HealthDay News) -- Deep cuts in the skin may require medical care, and even stitches. More often, minor cuts need to be well-cleaned and treated at home to prevent an infection.

Here are suggestions on how to clean a cut, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

• Place the cut under cool running water, or pour cool water over the cut.
• Wash the skin around the cut gently with soap and a soft washcloth. Avoid getting too much soap inside the wound itself.
• Remove embedded dirt or debris from the cut using a pair of tweezers that have been cleaned with rubbing alcohol.
• Unless recommended by your doctor, avoid using harsh, irritating products like rubbing alcohol on the wound.

-- Diana Kohnle

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