Illustration by Matthew Billington
Ask a Doctor is a series of physician-authored columns offering insights and advice on common health topics. It is not a substitute for seeking medical care.
One of the most common reasons people come to the emergency department is wound care: a burn from a hot stove or camp fire, a cut from broken glass, a scraped knee that won’t stop bleeding. We see more of these injuries in spring and summer as people spend more time outdoors, and most are preventable and can be treated at home. Other times, well-intentioned home care can end up making things worse. Here are a few things to keep in mind about basic wound care.
Start with prevention
Minor cuts and burns are part of everyday life – but simple habits can help reduce the risk. For example, in the kitchen, keep pot handles turned inward and be cautious with hot oil, which causes deeper burns than boiling water. Always supervise children helping in the kitchen or when using scissors or other sharp objects. Around the home, secure loose rugs and clutter to reduce falls.
It’s also important to make sure your tetanus booster is up to date (every 10 years for adults).
Cool minor burns ASAP
For simple burns (such as from touching a hot pan or pot), the first step is to cool the affected area under cool (not cold) running water for several minutes. This can help with pain, reduce tissue damage depth and speed up healing. Do not put ice directly on the wound, as this can risk additional frostbite injury. It’s best to cool the area within the first three hours of the burn, but the earlier the better.
For first-degree burns – wounds with some redness and pain but no blistering – minimal additional treatment is required. Typically, over the counter pain medication (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen) and a moisturizer for the area are all that’s needed.
Second-degree burns generally involve blisters along with redness and pain. Wash with soap and water and remove any broken blisters (you can use clean cosmetic scissors for this, but do not break blisters if they are intact). Keep the wound area moist with petroleum jelly or aloe vera and cover with sterile, absorptive dressings (such as hydrocolloid bandages) to soak up the continuing weeping from the open blisters.
Third-degree burns involve skin that appears dry, white or charred with loss of feeling to the area. These are a medical emergency and require immediate professional care.
Clean and protect small cuts and scrapes
For minor cuts, the priorities are straightforward: Control the bleeding, clean the wound, and protect the area.
For actively bleeding wounds, apply direct pressure with a clean cloth for several minutes to help stop the bleeding. Elevating the injured area above the heart can slow bleeding as well. If you are not able to control the bleeding, go to your nearest emergency department.
Next, use clean, running water to remove any dirt or debris. There is no evidence that antiseptic solutions like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol or iodine are superior to plain old tap water and soap. In fact, they can damage healthy tissue and delay healing
Finally, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly and cover with a bandage.
Ditch outdated advice
A lot of outdated advice persists when it comes to wound care. Here is some I hear most often.
- Let it air out: This is one of the most widespread misconceptions. Wounds actually heal better in a slightly moist environment. Letting them dry out can slow healing and increase scarring.
- Use antibiotic ointments: For most minor wounds that have been properly cleaned, plain petroleum jelly is enough. Routine use of over-the-counter antibiotic ointments can lead to skin irritation or allergic reactions, and research has shown they don’t significantly improve healing in uncomplicated cases compared with petroleum jelly.
- Put honey on it: Medical-grade honey can play a role in specific types of wound care under professional supervision, but using regular honey on a cut or burn at home is not recommended. It’s not sterile and can introduce bacteria.
When to see a doctor
While most minor cuts and burns don’t require a trip to the emergency department, some serious wounds do require urgent medical attention. When in doubt, it’s reasonable to get a wound checked, especially if there are no signs of healing or the injury seems to get worse.
For burns, seek care if:
- The burn is larger than the size of your palm
- It involves the face, hands, feet, genitals or a major joint
- It is circumferential (wrapping around the whole limb or torso), electrical or chemical
- The person has diabetes
- The person is under the age of five or older than 70
- The skin is white, charred or numb (suggesting a deeper burn)
- There are signs of infection (growing redness, warmth, swelling, cloudy discharge or fever)
For cuts, get medical attention if:
- The wound is deep, gaping or won’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure
- You can see fat, muscle or bone
- There is debris you can’t remove
- There are signs of infection
- The injury was caused by an animal or human bite
- Your tetanus vaccination isn’t up to date
Shazma Mithani is an emergency physician working with adult and pediatric patients in Edmonton. Dr. Mithani is actively involved with the Canadian Medical Association, Alberta Medical Association and Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton. She is also co-host of the Doc Talk Podcast.
