A Guide on How to Treat Cuts in the Kitchen

OUCH! Treat them cuts the right way.

Did you cut your finger in the kitchen trying to cut those veggies extra thin? Or, are you a victim of a revolt attack from your kitchen scraper?

Diversions, slippery hands and dull knives are some of the common factors to cause minor cuts. Minor cuts usually can be treated at home. Follow these simple steps to treat them in the kitchen.

Step 1: Wash the cut immediately! If you’ve cut yourself and it barely breaks skin, you’re very lucky. Wash off the knife and cut slower. However if you’ve sliced yourself and you’re bleeding – it’s best to let it bleed out. DO NOT SQUEEZE blood out of your wound because that may damage your tissue and will slow down the rate of healing. Wash the cut as it will keep it clean and stop it from getting infected. This should be done by holding it under cool clean running water for a couple of minutes. As a last resort it is advisable to place the wound in your mouth if possible.

Step 2: When that is done apply an antiseptic cream if available. If not, the following items can be used to sterilize the wound.

1. Alcohol: It’s time to get the bottle out! Dab some alcohol on the open wound. Gulp some of it to help you with the burning- because booze heals everything.

2. Turmeric: Turmeric acts as the best antiseptic and is easily available in every kitchen – with its high antiseptic properties, dabbing a generous amount of turmeric powder on a fresh cut will help stop the oozing of blood and also prevent infections.

3. Apple cider vinegar: With its anti-itching properties, apple cider vinegar is also a good option to heal wounds.

4. Sugar: Yes, sugar! Granulated sugar can actually work wonders on your wound. It absorbs the water present in the wound. Sprinkle it on the affected area, but make sure you clean the wound in the next 15 minutes. Who said sugar was bad?!

5. Aloe Vera gel: Easily available at chemists, apply this gel directly on the wound. If there is a plant nearby, remove the thorns and cut the leaf vertically in half. Gently rub in the gel on the wound-Gooey wonder.

6. Tea bags: As a mild astringent, tea bags help heal cuts, bites. Applying it on the wound also helps to stop the blood flow.

7. Honey: Honey acts as an antibacterial agent on superficial cuts and wounds. It helps clean the wound, prevent further infection as well as reduces the swelling.

Step 3: Dress the wound with a band-aid or a gauze for a bigger cut and secure the gauze with a surgical tape.