How to treat a bleeding injury

While slicing bread rolls for dinner, the knife slips and you cut your finger. Instinctually, you drop the knife and tightly squeeze the cut. After a few seconds, you release your grip to examine the damage.

At that exact moment most people ask themselves, “Do I need to go to the doctor?”

According to medical professionals, there are a couple of sure signs that immediate medical attention is required.

First, if the finger is amputated or the cut is particularly deep and tissue, bone, tendon or muscle are visible, a trip to an emergency room or urgent care clinic is required.

In addition, if the bleeding is uncontrollable or if there a loss of sensation in the finger (particularly at the tip), doctors and nurses agree that those patients should seek immediate medical attention.

Physicians must suture a cut on the hand within 12 hours for best results and to avoid infection.

However, many superficial cuts don’t require a visit to the doctor. The best course of treatment is relatively simple.

To treat a minor cut at home: run it under cold water, clean it with hydrogen peroxide or Neosporin, wrap the finger with a couple of BandAids, apply moderate pressure to the cut while keeping it elevated and use ice to reduce swelling. The bleeding should stop within five to 15 minutes.

Healthcare professionals also advise regularly changing the bandages and reapplying an antibacterial ointment. Tetanus shots should be kept up to date to help prevent infection.

––Daniel Wolowicz