- Cover, press, clean.

Cover the wound with a sterile dressing and apply pressure to the wound to halt the bleeding. Use tap water, bottled water or sterile saline to wash the wound. Seek medical help if you think you need stitches, you can’t clean the wound, or if the injury was caused by an animal or human bite. You should also seek medical attention if it has been more than 10 years since your last tetanus shot.

- Medicate.

Apply a topical antibiotic or ointment to the wound. Cover the wound with a heavy lubricant (such as petroleum jelly) to create a barrier to keep the wound moist.

- Keep area moist.

Experts recommend having the wound covered with a sterile dressing to create a warm, mist environment, which is the best condition for wound healing.

- Be well dressed.

The best of dressing is one that keeps the wound moist and the surrounding tissue dry. Use a nonstick dressing and gently change it everyday or 2. Try to keep the wet scab intact. Wounds should normally stay covered for about 5 days or until the surface layers have healed.