A cut from the kitchen knife, a scratch on a walk, a knock against the corner of the table. We all treat small wounds at home and they almost always turn out fine. The trouble is that people still do things that do not help: pouring hydrogen peroxide over them, alcohol, leaving them “in the air so they can breathe”.
I will tell you how I treat it and in which cases it is better not to deal with it at home. The summary: water and soap, no alcohol and no hydrogen peroxide, cover it and check it every day. And if it bleeds a lot, is deep or looks infected, do not treat it yourself.
Step by step: how to treat a small wound
- Wash your hands. Disposable gloves are better if you have them.
- To stop the bleeding. Press directly with a gauze or a clean cloth for about 5 minutes. If it is on an arm or a leg, raise it. Do not lift the gauze every few moments to look, and if it soaks through, put another one on top.
- Clean it. Running water and mild soap around it, and water inside to wash away the dirt. If it is somewhat deep, use saline solution. Work from the centre outwards and keep the soap out of the wound.
- Antiseptic, only if needed. It is not always necessary for a small wound. If you use one, make sure it does not stain and that you are not allergic. Chlorhexidine is a common option.
- Pat it dry with a clean gauze, without rubbing.
- Cover it. A dressing or a gauze held with sticking plaster. A thin layer of petroleum jelly helps keep it moist. Very small grazes may not need covering.
- Change it at least once a day, or sooner if it gets wet or dirty, and look at it each time. Once a scab forms, it no longer needs covering. Do not pick it off.
What not to put on it
- Hydrogen peroxide. It disinfects, but it also damages the tissue that is trying to regenerate and can slow healing.
- Alcohol, iodine, mercurochrome. They irritate the wound and do not help it close any sooner.
- Cotton wool. It leaves fibres inside. Use gauze.
- Home remedies. Vinegar, for example, does nothing to heal wounds.
- Ointments without knowing what they are. If in doubt, ask the pharmacist.
Better in the air or covered?
It has always been said that a wound “needs to breathe”. In an open wound, what usually works best is to keep it clean, slightly moist and covered. That protects it from dirt and stops it opening with every rub. Once the scab has formed, then you can remove the dressing.
How to tell if it is becoming infected
Check it every day. Look out for:
- Redness spreading around it.
- Swelling and warmth when you touch it.
- Pain that gets worse instead of easing.
- Pus or discharge, especially if it is greenish or smells bad.
- Fever or a general feeling of being unwell.
If you see any of these signs, seek advice.
When not to treat it yourself: see a doctor
- It bleeds heavily or does not stop after 5 minutes of pressure.
- It is deep, large (more than 1 cm) or the edges pull apart. It may need stitches.
- It is on the face, the neck or near an eye.
- It is a bite, a puncture from a dirty object (a nail, a piece of wire) or something is stuck in it. If an object is embedded, do not pull it out.
- You cannot get all the dirt out.
- There are signs of infection or fever.
- You have diabetes or poor circulation and the wound is on your foot or leg. Do not let those wait.
In an emergency, call 112.
Tetanus, in two lines
If the wound is deep or dirty (soil, a nail, wire, a bite), check your tetanus vaccination. As a guide, revaccination is often considered if more than 5 years have passed since the last dose. The healthcare professional decides, based on the wound and the doses you have had.
Afterwards: the scar and the sun
In Mallorca the sun is strong almost all year round. Protect the scar from the sun for about 6 months, with clothing or high-factor sunscreen, so that it does not darken.
When a nurse can help you
Some wounds are not plaster jobs: those from an operation, those that take a long time to close, those in older people or people who spend a lot of time in bed, those on feet with diabetes or poor circulation. There, what matters is assessing them properly, choosing the right dressing and following how they progress.
I come to you, check the wound, treat it and explain how to look after it between visits.
Frequently asked questions
Hydrogen peroxide or alcohol for a wound?
Neither. Running water and mild soap, and if you use an antiseptic, make sure it does not stain.
How often should the dressing be changed?
At least once a day, or sooner if it gets wet or dirty.
Is it better to cover a wound or leave it in the air?
For an open wound, clean, slightly moist and covered usually works best. Once there is a scab, it is no longer needed.
How do I know if my wound is infected?
Spreading redness, swelling, warmth, more pain, pus or fever. If any of this appears, seek advice.
When does a wound need stitches?
If it is deep, large or the edges are apart. The sooner a professional sees it, the better, because after a few hours it may no longer be possible to close it with stitches.
Sources
- Asociación Española de Pediatría, En Familia. Heridas (reviewed 14-5-2025). enfamilia.aeped.es
- Ministerio de Sanidad. Cuidado de heridas (health information). sanidad.gob.es
- Mayo Clinic. Cuts and scrapes: first aid. mayoclinic.org
- Maldita.es. Hydrogen peroxide on wounds: it disinfects, but it can slow healing (2019), with emergency doctors and nurses. maldita.es
- Consumer. Do you know how to treat a small wound? (2020). consumer.es
Informational content. It does not replace the assessment of a healthcare professional or a medical consultation.
Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
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