Advertisement

Bumps, burns and cuts: how to treat 5 common injuries

Plus, when you should see a doctor.

1 / 7

No matter your age, chances are, you’ve sustained an injury or two. Some might’ve been not so serious, like scraping your knee. Others may have required medical attention, like a broken bone.

Treatment for these types of injuries relies heavily on a few key elements, including size, location and depth of the wound. You may be able to care for minor wounds on your own,Show More

2 / 7
Burns

Have you ever accidentally touched an iron or a hot stove and pulled back in pain? If your skin turned red and started swelling, you most likely received a superficial burn, also known as a first-degree burn. While burns penetrating deeper layers of the skin require medical attention, you can treatShow More

3 / 7
Puncture wounds

Stepping on a nail or being bitten by a dog are examples of puncture wounds. These wounds are different from a cut—they pierce the skin, creating a small hole, rather than tearing it. They tend not to bleed much, but may be deep and are prone to infection. If you’re not sure how bad your punctureShow More

4 / 7
Cuts or lacerations

A cut is a wound typically caused by a sharp object, like a knife or a piece of glass. Funicello says that the term “laceration” can be used interchangeably with the word “cut”; they both imply soft layers of body tissue have been torn.

Deep cuts require medical attention. See a doctor if:

5 / 7
Abrasions

If you’ve ever scraped your knee from falling off your bike, you’ve had an abrasion. These wounds typically happen when your skin scratches or grinds against a tough or rough surface; they skim the top layers of skin and usually don’t cause major bleeding.

As long as you clean and disinfectShow More

6 / 7
Contusions

Banging your knee on a coffee table or being smacked by a ball has probably left your skin black and blue. The discoloration is the result of blood getting trapped under the surface of your skin. Bruises are common, and for the most part go away on their own.

To help minimize a bruise—or perhapsShow More

7 / 7
When you should always get help

While some wounds can be treated at home, seek medical attention anytime the following occurs:

  • The injury is located across a joint, or near or on your face or mouth.
  • The wound exposes tissue underneath the skin.
  • Your injury is the result of a bite or a dirty object.
  • You're bleeding heavily.

IfShow More

More On

What you need to know about tick season

video

What you need to know about tick season
Ticks carry many diseases and are more active in April through September. Here is how to protect yourself and remove them.
In the path of a storm? Here’s how to prepare and evacuate safely

article

In the path of a storm? Here’s how to prepare and evacuate safely
Find out how to protect your family and your property, when to evacuate, and more.
How to prepare—and stay safe—in a winter storm

slideshow

How to prepare—and stay safe—in a winter storm
A winter wonderland can be dangerous. Here’s how to keep yourself and your family safe when a blizzard strikes.
What are the symptoms of a poisonous plant reaction?

video

What are the symptoms of a poisonous plant reaction?
The red, itchy bumps that are a telltale sign of exposure to a poisonous plant don't always show up right away, says Dr. Leigh Vinocur. To learn why, ...
11 tips to treat minor cuts and burns this holiday season

video

11 tips to treat minor cuts and burns this holiday season
Kitchen accidents can occur more easily during the holiday season! Learn what to do when these incidents happen.