Minor Wounds & Skin Care
Minor wounds, such as small cuts, grazes and abrasions, are common injuries that usually heal well with simple first aid and care
About minor wounds & skin care
The skin naturally repairs itself through a healing process involving clotting, inflammation and tissue rebuilding. Most minor wounds heal without complication, but keeping them clean and protected reduces the risk of infection and helps minimise scarring
Treatments
Symptoms
• Broken skin with bleeding or oozing
• Pain or tenderness at the site
• Redness around the wound
• Mild swelling
• Signs of infection to watch for include increasing redness, warmth, pus, or worsening pain
Diagnosis
Minor wounds are assessed visually by size, depth and cleanliness. Deep, heavily bleeding or contaminated wounds, or those showing signs of infection or not healing, need medical assessment; tetanus status should also be checked for dirty wounds
Treatment
Clean the wound gently with water, apply an appropriate dressing or plaster, and use an antiseptic if the wound is dirty. Antiseptic creams or dressings can help prevent infection, and healing is usually monitored over the following days
Prevention and self-care
• Clean and dress wounds promptly
• Change dressings regularly and keep the area dry
• Avoid picking at scabs
• Watch for signs of infection during healing
• Protect healing skin from sun exposure to reduce scarring
• Ensure tetanus vaccination is up to date
Reviewed by Hamza Iqbal Naheed, Superintendent Pharmacist, GPhC 2209194 (check the register) · Last updated 21 September 2026