Jump to
How can you care for a cut?
If a cut is open or closed
- Prop up the sore area on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.
- Keep the cut dry for the first 24 to 48 hours. After this, you can shower if your doctor okays it. Pat the cut dry.
- Don't soak the cut, such as in a bathtub. Your doctor will tell you when it's safe to get the cut wet.
- After the first 24 to 48 hours, clean the cut with soap and water 2 times a day unless your doctor gives you different instructions.
- Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
- You may cover the cut with a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a nonstick bandage.
- If the doctor put a bandage over the cut, put on a new bandage after cleaning the cut or if the bandage gets wet or dirty.
- Avoid any activity that could cause your cut to reopen.
- Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
If the cut is closed with stitches, staples, or Steri-Strips
- Follow the above instructions for open or closed cuts.
- Do not remove the stitches or staples on your own. Your doctor will tell you when to come back to have the stitches or staples removed.
- Leave Steri-Strips on until they fall off.
If the cut is closed with a skin adhesive
- Follow the above instructions for open or closed cuts.
- Leave the skin adhesive on your skin until it falls off on its own. This may take 5 to 10 days.
- Do not scratch, rub, or pick at the adhesive.
- Do not put the sticky part of a bandage directly on the adhesive.
- Do not put any kind of ointment, cream, or lotion over the area. This can make the adhesive fall off too soon. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
Cuts (lacerations): When to call
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has new pain, or the pain gets worse.
- The skin near the cut is cold or pale or changes color.
- Your child has tingling, weakness, or numbness near the cut.
- The cut starts to bleed, and blood soaks through the bandage. Oozing small amounts of blood is normal.
- Your child has trouble moving the area near the cut.
- Your child has symptoms of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness around the cut.
- Red streaks leading from the cut.
- Pus draining from the cut.
- A fever.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child does not get better as expected.
©2011-2026 Healthwise, Incorporated
The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.