Cuts, Abrasions, and Blisters
Most cuts, abrasions (also called grazes), and blisters can be treated with simple first aid.
Cuts
Cuts are usually caused by sharp objects, such as knives or shards of glass slicing into the skin. Depending on the cause, they can be either minor or severe.
Apply pressure to the cut using your hand and a clean dressing pad, cloth, or non-linting tissue
Elevate the wound if necessary to stop the bleeding
Seek immediate medical attention if the wound is serious, otherwise apply wound closure strips and/or a dressing if necessary once the bleeding has subsided or stopped
Some people may require a booster tetanus shot if it has been more than 5 years since their last vaccination.
Abrasions (grazes)
Abrasions occur when the upper layers of the skin get damaged and broken, usually as a result of friction or rubbing against a hard, rough surface. They commonly happen in children and on more bony parts of the body, such as knees, ankles, or elbows.
Since abrasions usually contain particles of dirt, rinse the area clean using warm running water or a weak salt solution, but do not scrub
Apply a film dressing to keep the area moist and undisturbed
Seek medical attention if the wound is particularly dirty and you have been unable to clean it.
Blisters
Blisters are fluid-filled sacs which form when the skin gets damaged, either from rubbing, poor-fitting shoes, heat, cold, or chemical exposure. They can also form if the skin gets crushed or pinched (for example, a blood blister) or as the result of a medical condition such as chickenpox.
Most blisters heal by themselves after three to seven days
The fluid in the blister protects the delicate skin underneath, allowing it to heal, so it is best not to burst the blister if possible
Dressings can be used to protect the blister from further friction or rubbing.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
If you have a weakened immune system, serious medical condition, or if the cut is very severe and/or bleeding a lot, always talk to a pharmacist. Also talk to a pharmacist if:
The cut or abrasion is really dirty and you are unable to wash it clean
There is anything deeply embedded in the cut that cannot be removed easily
The affected area is very red and angry-looking, very painful, feels warm, or there is pus
The person has a fever or flu-like symptoms
It is a bleeding mole
The person has an allergy to wound care products, such as iodine
The person is not up-to-date with tetanus vaccinations
The person is elderly or very young
The person has diabetes and the injury is on the feet.
Treatment Tips
To enable a skin injury to heal properly, it is important to keep the area clean and protected from further damage or injury.
Check the wound regularly for signs of infection, such as redness spreading out from the wound, or pus
Make sure the cut or abrasion is clean before applying a dressing
Use only water or saline solution to clean the wound
Do not put irritating agents on the wound – antiseptics are not usually considered necessary in most circumstances and may delay tissue healing if used. Antiseptics must be diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions and should not be used for a prolonged time
Avoid antiseptics on large, open wounds as they can be absorbed into the body through broken skin
Do not pick at scabs as the wound heals – this can cause scarring
Reduce scab and scar formation by using dressings that keep the area moist, such as film dressings.
Treatment Options
Cuts
Clean with a weak salt solution (saline) or warm water
Use wound closure strips to hold the edges of the cut together, and use a sterile dressing strip or dry non-stick wound pad to protect the area
Cover deeper cuts with island or film-dressings.
Abrasions (grazes)
If the abrasion is superficial and not extensive, clean with a weak salt solution or warm water
Gently wash away any dirt particles and seek medical advice if you are unable to completely clean the graze
Cover minor abrasions with a sterile dressing strip or dry non-stick wound pad to protect the area.
Cover more extensive abrasions with island or film dressings.
Blisters
Cover the blister with a soft or hydrocolloid dressing if it is in an area that may get bumped or rubbed during the day
Try not to burst the blister on purpose, as the fluid contained within the blister protects the site from infection
If the blister breaks, press the area to get rid of the fluid, but leave the skin in place. Then wash it with warm water, saline, or paint with a mild antiseptic solution. Watch for any signs of infection.
Always discuss treatment options with your pharmacist to ensure the best outcome.
Dressing strips (plasters)
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Nexcare Waterproof Bandages, Band-Aid, Elastoplast
Available in waterproof versions.
Wound closure strips
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Leukostrip, Steri-strips
Help keep wound edges together to aid healing and reduce scarring
Wound closure strips are hypoallergenic.
Dry non-stick wound pads
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Cutilin, Melolin, Telfa
Dry, non-stick pads which absorb any fluid without sticking to the wound
Need to be taped on, for example, with Micropore tape.
Island dressings
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Cutiplast Sterile, Primapore, Tegaderm with pad
Island dressings are self-adhesive with non-stick wound pads to absorb fluid
Available in waterproof versions.
Film dressings
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Cutifilm, OpSite, Tegaderm
Apply the clear film and leave on until it falls off. This leaves the wound moist and undisturbed but allows it to be monitored
Available in waterproof versions
Not suitable for very moist wounds.
Hydrocolloid-075 dressings for blisters
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Compeed Blister packs - small, medium, on toes
Provide pain relief and speed up blister healing
Protect the blister from further rubbing.
Dressings impregnated with medical grade honey
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., ApiNate Dressing
Honey has antibacterial properties and may assist healing
No increases in blood sugars have been reported with this dressing but people with diabetes should monitor their levels.
Antiseptics for cleansing
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Betadine Antiseptic Liquid, Savlon
Use to clean the area if required
Not required for most wounds
Some products must be diluted before use.
Antiseptic creams, ointments, powders and sprays
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Bepanthen First Aid, Betadine Antiseptic Ointment/Spray, Crystaderm cream, Dettol Antiseptic Cream, Dettol Antiseptic Liquid, Dettol Antiseptic Wound Wash Spray, Medicreme Antiseptic Cream, Medipulv Antiseptic Powder, Savlon Antiseptic Cream, Soov Cream
Can be used on minor cuts and grazes to help prevent infection
Soov cream also contains lignocaine, a local anaesthetic, to help reduce pain.
Medical grade honey-based ointments
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Comvita Woundcare 18+, Medihoney Antibacterial Medical Honey
Honey-based ointments provide an antibacterial and moist environment for healing minor wounds
Appear to improve wound healing, reduce odours, and help clean the wound, decrease risk of infection and decrease healing time
No increases in blood sugars have been reported with these products but people with diabetes should monitor their levels.
Other wound healing products
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., MEBO Wound repair
MEBO Wound repair helps the body to regenerate new skin cells, promoting natural healing and minimising scarring
Natural/herbal products/supplements
e.g., calendula ointment, honey, St John's Wort, Trypsin, vitamin A ointment, zinc cream
Calendula is a natural antibiotic with skin restoring properties
Honey has antibacterial properties and appears to improve wound healing, reduce odours, and help clean the wound, decrease risk of infection and decrease healing time
Topical St John's Wort and trypsin have also been beneficial for wound healing
Zinc and vitamin A can help skin healing
Ensure adequate protein in the diet for tissue repair.
More Information
Availability of Medicines
GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.
PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.
PHARMACIST ONLY may only be sold by a pharmacist.
Consumer Medicine Information on some medicines is available at the government website www.medsafe.govt.nz
