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Do I Need to Treat Paper Cuts?
Even though they tend to be minor wounds, it is usually best to treat paper cuts. This is primarily because the cut is the result of foreign matter being introduced into the body, which can cause the spread of bacteria. If a small paper cut is left untreated, it will often heal on its own, but there is always the risk of infection, which can lead to a much more serious condition. Deep paper cuts present a higher risk for infection and usually must be treated promptly.
It is advisable to treat paper cuts if they are painful. Simply cleaning and dressing the wound can speed the healing process, which can also help to reduce pain. Brief application of an ice pack or applying mint gel or other similar products made with the mint plant can help to dull pain as well. Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin can help to treat paper cuts that are extremely painful.
There are several ways to treat paper cuts, but the basic approach tends to be essentially the same. The first step is to clean the wound in order to rinse away any bacteria on the surface. Then the cut may be further treated with products to reduce pain and fight infection. The next step depends upon the depth of the cut. A very light paper cut may not need to be bandaged, but a deeper cut is more likely to need the protection in order to prevent bacteria from entering the bloodstream.
Thoroughly washing with soap and water is usually a sufficient way to clean paper cuts. Antiseptics such as rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and iodine can also be effective. If the cut is particularly painful, it may be best to clean around the wound.
Once the area around the cut is clean, it can be treated with an antibiotic cream, aloe vera gel or other similar wound treatments. This can help to both speed healing and prevent the growth of bacteria. While this step may not be necessary for a smaller cut, it is often advisable as there is still a possibility of infection.
Then the cut can be covered. How to cover the wound can vary, depending on the location and depth of the cut. In many cases a small bandage will provide sufficient coverage. Deeper cuts or wounds in difficult-to-cover areas may be treated with liquid bandages or gauze and tape.
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![A bottle of rubbing alcohol, which can be used to clean a paper cut.]()
By: Gordana SermekA bottle of rubbing alcohol, which can be used to clean a paper cut. -
![Aloe vera gel can be used to treat paper cuts.]()
By: sassyphotosAloe vera gel can be used to treat paper cuts. -
![It is important to treat paper cuts when they happen.]()
By: F.C.G.It is important to treat paper cuts when they happen. -
![Applying an ice pack to the area helps dull pain from a paper cut.]()
By: nitoApplying an ice pack to the area helps dull pain from a paper cut. -
![Mint can be used to dull pain for a paper cut.]()
By: margo555Mint can be used to dull pain for a paper cut. -
![Deep paper cuts should be bandaged in order to avoid bacterial contamination of the wound.]()
By: GangDeep paper cuts should be bandaged in order to avoid bacterial contamination of the wound.
Discussion Comments
Someone once told me that paper cuts hurt more because you don't expect them to hurt at all. I think he had a point. I can prick my finger on a needle and not feel much more than a quick sting. If I get a paper cut, however, it will hurt for several hours and keep reopening. If I put anything on a paper cut at all, it's a triple action antibacterial ointment and a bandage.
I remember a nurse telling me that paper cuts were sometimes worse than knife cuts because of the nature of paper. A sharp knife usually creates a cut with clean edges. The edge of a piece of paper, however, often creates a very ragged cut, more like a tear than a slice. It can take longer to heal than a clean cut from a blade, and it may hurt more while it's mending.
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