How to Heal Open Wounds Fast
If you have a minor cut that isn't bleeding too much, you'll be able to treat it and let it heal at home. Before you touch the wound, wash your hands with soapy water to avoid infecting it. Then, run the wound under cool water to remove dirt or debris. Press a clean, dry cloth against the wound for 2 to 3 minutes and elevate it above your heart to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding continues for more than 15 minutes, seek medical attention immediately, since the cut will be too deep to treat at home. Once the bleeding stops, apply 1 or 2 layers of petroleum jelly, which will keep your skin moist and speed up healing. Place a band aid over the area to guard against infection. As your injury heals, change your band aid 3 times a day to keep it clean. If the band aid is stuck to the scab, soak it in salty water for several minutes until it comes loose.
Wash your hands with mild soap and water. Before you touch the open wound, clean your hands. Put on medical gloves if you can. This will protect the wound from exposure to bacteria and germs from your hands. If you are touching someone else's open wound, wear medical gloves to protect your hands and prevent the spread of germs. Rinse the wound under running water. Let the water wash off any dirt or debris on the wound. Do not scrub or pick at the wound while you rinse it, as this can cause more damage. Use a clean, dry cloth to stop the bleeding. Press on the wound with a clean, dry cloth, applying even pressure with your hands for several minutes until the bleeding slows. Minor wounds should stop bleeding within a few minutes once you apply pressure to them. If the wound does not stop bleeding after you have applied pressure for 10-15 minutes, go to the doctor. The wound may be too deep for you to treat at home. Elevate the wound above your heart to slow the bleeding. If the wound is on your leg, foot, or toes, set your leg on a chair or cushion so it sits above your heart. If the wound is on your arm, hands, or fingers, raise it above your head to help slow the bleeding. If the wound is on your torso, head, or genital area, seek medical attention as soon as you can. All head injuries, in particular, need to be evaluated by a doctor. If the open wound does not stop bleeding after 10-15 minutes, despite elevating it, go see your doctor. Apply antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to the wound. Use clean gauze to apply 1-2 layers of ointment or jelly. This will keep the area moist and prevent infection, which will speed up healing. Be careful not to press too hard on the open wound when applying the ointment, especially on any areas that are red or swollen. Put a bandage on a small cut. Use a Band-Aid that is large enough to cover the cut. Use gauze on an abrasion or puncture wound. Take a piece of gauze that is big enough to cover the open wound or use clean scissors to cut the gauze to fit. Place it on the wound and use medical tape around it to secure it. If you do not have gauze on hand, you can use a Band-Aid as long as it is big enough to cover the entire wound. Take over-the-counter pain medication. The open wound may feel sore or irritated as it heals. Have acetaminophen, or Tylenol, to help with the pain every 4-6 hours or as specified on the label. Follow the dosage recommended on the label and never exceed the recommended amount. Do not take aspirin, as it can cause the wound to bleed. Change the dressing 3 times a day. Wash your hands before you change the dressing. Remove the bandage in the direction of your hair growth so you do not damage the skin. If you notice the scab is stuck to the bandage, soak the bandage with a mixture of 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of salt in 1 gallon (3.8 l) of water, or use sterile water if you have it on hand. After the bandage has soaked for a few minutes, gently remove it. If the scab is still stuck to the bandage, soak it again until it comes loose. Do not tug or pull on it, as this can damage the wound and make it bleed again. Make sure you put antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly on the wound before you bandage it to keep it moist and speed up healing. You can also apply the ointment or jelly to the gauze before placing it over the wound. Avoid picking or scratching the wound. The open wound may feel itchy or irritated as it starts to heal, especially once it starts to scab. Resist the urge to pick, scratch, or rub at the open wound, as this will slow down healing. Wear thick clothing and keep the wound covered so you are not tempted to touch it. You can also apply ointment to the wound, which can keep the skin moist and prevent it from itching as it heals. Do not use strong antiseptics on the wound. Hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, and iodine are caustic and can burn your tissues, damaging your skin further and causing scarring. Antibiotic ointment and petroleum jelly are more than enough to keep the wound sterile and clean. Keep the wound covered and protected. Do not expose the open wound to air, as this will slow down healing and can lead to scarring. Keep the wound bandaged at all times, especially if you are going outside and exposing your skin to the sun. The only time you can take off the bandage is in the shower or bath, as the moisture is good for the wound. Once the wound has healed over with new skin, you can expose it to the air. Continue to bandage it for protection in situations where it might reopen, such as sporting events. Go to the doctor if the wound is deeper than 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm). Wounds this deep will usually require professional medical care and sometimes stitches to heal properly. Do not try to treat them at home, as this can lead to infection and scarring. See your doctor if the wound does not heal within 2-3 weeks. If the wound does not close and begin to heal, it may be deeper than you realized and require professional medical care. Go see your doctor for treatment. Seek medical care if the wound appears infected. hot, red, swollen, or full of pus. If you see signs of infection, see a doctor as soon as you can. The infection could get worse if you delay. The wound may be infected if it is: Hot Red Swollen Painful Full of pus Go to the doctor if the wound is from an animal bite. All animal bites, no matter how small, need to be seen by a doctor. They will follow a protocol established by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Animal Control. Most bites, from mild to severe, will need to be treated with an antibiotic, such as Augmentin. If you were bitten by a wild animal, you'll get a rabies shot in the arm. Allow your doctor to treat the wound. Your doctor will examine the wound to determine how severe it is. They may then recommend stitches to close the wound and help it to heal. If the cut is small, your doctor may use medical glue to close the wound. If the wound is large and deep, they will use medical thread and a needle to stitch it closed. You will then need to go back to the doctor's office in 1 week to get the stitches taken out. 
Wash your hands with mild soap and water. Rinse the wound under running water. Use a clean, dry cloth to stop the bleeding. Elevate the wound above your heart to slow the bleeding. Apply antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to the wound. Put a bandage on a small cut. Use gauze on an abrasion or puncture wound. Take over-the-counter pain medication. Change the dressing 3 times a day. Avoid picking or scratching the wound. Do not use strong antiseptics on the wound. Keep the wound covered and protected. Go to the doctor if the wound is deeper than 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm). See your doctor if the wound does not heal within 2-3 weeks. Seek medical care if the wound appears infected. Go to the doctor if the wound is from an animal bite. Allow your doctor to treat the wound. 