This advice should not be substituted for medical attention. If in doubt, consult a physician immediately.

How to help stop the bleeding:

Bleeding that is left uncontrolled can lead to shock or even death. The blood needs to clot to stop flowing.

Put pressure directly on the wound. Use gauze if you have it. If you don’t have gauze, use clean towels. If the gauze or towel soaks through, add another layer. Do not take off the gauze. Peeling off the soaked gauze removes vital clotting agents and encourages bleeding to continue.

How to clean an open wound:

After the bleeding stops, clean the wound with mild soap and water. Make sure you rinse the entire wound inside and out. Rinse off the soap thoroughly.

Saline solution, medical alcohol, and antibacterial creams and medicines can also be used on open wounds.

Infections:

An infection is when germs and bacteria enter the skin through an open wound.

Symptoms:

• High or low body temperature
• Low blood pressure
• Fast heart rate
• Increased blood, pus, or other fluids coming out of the wound. (May have an odd color or a bad smell)
• Increased swelling that goes past the wound area and does not go away after five days. (May be red, feel painful, or feel warm to the touch)
• The wound is not healing or getting better with treatment
• An old wound that bleeds easily
• The wound being painful longer then normal
• Numbness around the wound