# Best way to care for cuts & scrapes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 14, 2007, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576 "2007-08-14T17:29:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/1 "2007-08-14T17:29:18Z")
Ok… medical Dopers, here’s a question for you: What’s the best way to care for cuts and scrapes not requiring stitches or other professional medical attention? Does it matter if you use an antiseptic or an antibiotic ointment, or is just washing with soap & water good enough? If you need an antiseptic/antibiotic ointment, what’s the right way to go? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/2 "2007-08-14T17:53:34Z")
Soap and water. See [http://www.medicinenet.com/cuts\_scrapes\_and\_puncture\_wounds/article.htm](http://www.medicinenet.com/cuts_scrapes_and_puncture_wounds/article.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/3 "2007-08-14T19:41:37Z")
This is what I do: wash it with mild soap and water, let it dry, put on some Neosporin ointment and put a band-aid on, and leave that on for a day. Then repeat the next day, and on the third day, just wash it and leave it unbandaged, so it can dry out and form a nice scab. It’s always worked well for me. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/4 "2007-08-14T19:43:48Z")
[QUOTE=Dusty Parkinglot] The very best thing, if you can arrange it, is to soak the wound in an antiseptic solution for a long time, like half an hour. During that time, all the lymphatic liquids and dead blood cells will seep out. Those are what will create the clot or scab later, and you heal best when the scab is thin and flexible. Neosporin and a loose bandaid helps. Loosen the bandage and swab with 90% alcohol every couple of hours, and change the bandage when it contains bloodstains. [/QUOTE] From the linked article above: > [@](#): > > Avoid putting products such as hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or iodine solutions in the wound. These only delay wound healing and do not do anything to prevent infection. So maybe the alcohol is not such a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/5 "2007-08-14T20:32:31Z")
[webmd](http://firstaid.webmd.com/cuts_or_lacerations_treatment_firstaid.htm) had the following useful advice > [@](#): > > Tourniquets are generally not helpful for cuts to the face ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/6 "2007-08-14T23:42:57Z")
The coffee in the Army, they say is mighty fine. . . . ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/7 "2007-08-14T23:46:15Z")
[QUOTE=nyctea scandiaca] This is what I do: wash it with mild soap and water, let it dry, put on some Neosporin ointment and put a band-aid on, and leave that on for a day. . [/QUOTE] Yep, wash, Band-Aid and triple antibiotic ointment. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/8 "2007-08-15T01:17:15Z")
Don’t use alcohol, but hydrogen peroxide is okay for an initial cleaning. Alcohol is too harsh. Simple cleaning and use of an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin, followed by a bandage to keep it clean are good. - BiblioCat (IANADoctor, but I am an EMT) ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/9 "2007-08-15T10:23:49Z")
Is neosporin (neomycin, bactracin, polymixin B) available without a prescription in the US? ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/10 "2007-08-15T10:54:23Z")
[QUOTE=Szlater] Is neosporin (neomycin, bactracin, polymixin B) available without a prescription in the US? [/QUOTE] It is, yes. It’s not uncommon to even find single-use packets of the stuff sold in first aid kits intended for home use. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/11 "2007-08-15T11:25:20Z")
How about those new liquid band-aids? Many say those are a fancy way of putting superglue on a wound. My personal experience with them is positive. They keep the wound dry. They seal the wound with a layer of, well, clear paint, so it doesn’t hurt when your skin stretches, or when you bump into something. Also, liquid band-aids are far less unsightly then band-aids, especially wet/dirty band-aids. And which band aid doesn’t get wet or dirty in the course of a normal household day? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/12 "2007-08-15T12:06:27Z")
[QUOTE=nyctea scandiaca] This is what I do: wash it with mild soap and water, let it dry, put on some Neosporin ointment and put a band-aid on, and leave that on for a day. Then repeat the next day, and on the third day, just wash it and leave it unbandaged, so it can dry out and form a nice scab. It’s always worked well for me. [/QUOTE] This is what my husband, the cuticle-picker, does, but he usually only does the Neosporin/band-aid routine for a day. Works for him. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/13 "2007-08-15T12:30:44Z")
Put Windex on it. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/14 "2007-08-15T20:25:03Z")
Soap and water. I usually don’t even use a bandage. Never had a problem. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/15 "2007-08-15T23:22:20Z")
[QUOTE=Maastricht] How about those new liquid band-aids? Many say those are a fancy way of putting superglue on a wound. My personal experience with them is positive. They keep the wound dry. They seal the wound with a layer of, well, clear paint, so it doesn’t hurt when your skin stretches, or when you bump into something. Also, liquid band-aids are far less unsightly then band-aids, especially wet/dirty band-aids. And which band aid doesn’t get wet or dirty in the course of a normal household day? [/QUOTE] I use them only for paper cuts. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/16 "2007-08-16T00:42:47Z")
[QUOTE=BobLibDem] Put Windex on it. [/QUOTE] Is this bad medical advice, or a whoosh? 😕 :mad: ---
**Author:** ![TupeloHoney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e57/32.png) [@TupeloHoney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TupeloHoney)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/17 "2007-08-16T03:29:30Z")
Haha, Windex?? I clean the cut/scrape with hydrogen peroxide, point ointment on it, and then a band aid. It seems to heal nicely! I’ve never used the liquid band aids but I’m curious to try them out. I know a lot of people that prefer them over the regular kind. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/18 "2007-08-16T08:36:19Z")
Mutter an obscenity, press a tissue against it until you’re not bleeding _too_ much that people will notice, wipe subsequent drops of blood on trousers, keep working. At least that’s how I seem to always have to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/19 "2007-08-16T16:37:48Z")
Related note … > [@](#): > > **Antibacterial soaps show no health benefits over plain soaps and, in fact, may render some common antibiotics less effective, says a University of Michigan public health professor.** > > In the first known comprehensive analysis of whether antibacterial soaps work better than plain soaps, Allison Aiello of the U-M School of Public Health and her team found that washing hands with an antibacterial soap was no more effective in preventing infectious illness than plain soap. Moreover, antibacterial soaps at formulations sold to the public do not remove any more bacteria from the hands during washing than plain soaps. > > Because of the way the main active ingredient—triclosan—in many antibacterial soaps reacts in the cells, it may cause some bacteria to become resistant to commonly used drugs such as amoxicillin, the researchers say. These changes have not been detected at the population level, but e-coli bacteria bugs adapted in lab experiments showed resistance when exposed to as much as 0.1 percent wt/vol triclosan soap. Source: [http://www.physorg.com/news106418144.html](http://www.physorg.com/news106418144.html) ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2007, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576/20 "2007-08-16T17:04:43Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] Is this bad medical advice, or a whoosh? 😕 :mad: [/QUOTE] It’s a reference to the character who used Windex to solve all troubles, medical as well as cleaning related. Can’t recall who exactly that was off the top of my head, perhaps the father in My Big Fat Greek Wedding? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-care-for-cuts-scrapes/415576.md?page=2)