First Aid: Cuts & Scratches

TW: brief mention of alcohol and drugs, mention of blood

Stop the bleeding

If the injury is spurting blood, apply pressure and call for an ambulance immediately. Follow the instructions of the emergency line operator.
Apply pressure to the injury or injuries with a clean cloth that will not get fluff in the wound (e.g. a bit of shirt). Tissue, toilet roll, or kitchen paper will get fluff in the wound and increase risk of infection. For shallow cuts or scratches apply even pressure for 5 minutes. For deeper cuts apply presser for 7-10 minutes. If you have been drinking or taken any drugs/medications that can affect clotting apply pressure for 7-10 minutes.
If bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of applying even pressure you need medical attention immediately, go to A&E.

Assessing the damage

Call for an ambulance immediately if...

The injury is spurting bright red blood; you have hit an artery
You go into shock
You lose sensation or movement in any area; this is a sign of nerve or tendon damage
You have a medical condition that means you need immediate emergency medical attention for your injury
You are unsure if you need immediate emergency medical attention
If you do not think you can take care of your injuries alone and cannot get yourself to A&E

Go to A&E immediately if...

The bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of applying even pressure
The injury is to a joint, palm, your face, or genitals
The injury is internal
You can see muscle or bone. Muscle looks like meat
The tool you used to cut/scratch yourself was rusty
You have a medical condition that means you need emergency medical attention for your injury
You do not think you can take care of your injuries alone

Cuts that have are wide or gaping, are deeper than 0.5 inches/1.25 cm, or cuts where you can see fat (yellow lumps) or fascia (a thin white layer under the fat) should be stitched if possible. If you cannot get stitches use steri-strips, butterfly bandages, or zip-stitches to close the cut.
Even if you do not fit any of the above criteria you can still go to A&E for self-harm, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or other mental health emergencies. Self-harm and thoughts of hurting yourself or others is always considered a medical emergency. If you are unsure how serious an injury is, call your local A&E's nurse line (if in the UK call 111 or use 111 online).

Cleaning And Bandaging The Injuries

Make sure your hands are clean. Rinse the wound(s) with saline or warm water to remove any debris. Dry the area well with a clean cloth that will not get fluff in the wound. Do not use hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl/rubbing alcohol, iodine, or hand sanitiser to clean a wound, it will kill the healthy cells.
You do not need to use an antibiotic ointment (i.e. Neosporin) for a clean, not infected cut. Overuse of antibiotic ointment can cause bacterial resistance.
If a wound needs stitches (see above), seek immediate medical attention at A&E. If you cannot seek medical attention, use steri-strip, butterfly bandages, or zip-stitches to close the wound. These can also be used for more minor wounds where the edges of cut do not meet. Compound Benzoin Tincture can be used to help wound closures stick to the skin; apply a thin layer to the edges (not inside) of the cut and allow to dry before applying wound closure strips. Apply gauze or another wound covering on stop of any steri-strips, butterfly badages or zip stitches.
If the cut does not need stitches, use a plaster (band-aid), non-stick gauze, or other bandage to cover the wound. Keeping a wound dressed is important for healing and protecting it from getting dirt and infected. You do not need to 'air out' a cut, this increases risk of infection and slows healing.

Wound Care

Change wound dressings daily, or if they become dirty or wet. Steri-strips, butterfly bandages, and zip stitches can be left on till they fall off or until wound has healed. Check for signs of infection when you change dressings (more info on infections below). Never reuse dressings and avoid picking at the wound.
If the wound becomes dirty, clean it with warm water and non-fragranced soap before redressing the wound.

Infections

Seek emergency medical attention or call an ambulance immediately if you show symptoms of a serious infection, such as...

Confusion or disorientation
Feeling faint, dizzy, or fainting
Irregular heartbeat and/or breathing
Cold, clammy, pale skin
Fever (body temperature of 38c (100.4 f) or higher)
A red line coming from the wound
Severe muscle pain
Painful muscle spasms
This is not an exhaustive list of symptoms, more info here.

A serious infection can be deadly and cause permanent disability, DO NOT attempt to care for at home. If you are unsure how serious an injury is, call your local A&E's nurse line (if in the UK call 111 or use 111 online)

Mild infections can often be treated at home. Symptoms of mild infection include...

Spreading redness, heat, or swelling near the wound
Increased or new pain
Increased fluid leaking from wound
Smell
Slow healing

Some redness, pain, and fluid leakage can be normal. If you have a medical condition or take a medication (i.e. immunosuppressants) that puts you at higher risk of complication or if you are unsure if you are able to treat your wound, seek medical advice. If you are unsure how serious an injury is, call your local A&E's nurse line (if in the UK call 111 or use 111 online).