Cuts and scrapes are a rather common part of life, and for the most part, do not need you to go to the ER. The most common cause of these cuts and scrapes is skin injuries and minor accidents. There are a number of factors that predispose one to such injuries. They include old age, debilitating illnesses, chemotherapy, alcohol addiction and diabetes among others.

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When the skin is punctured, the injury resulting in the cuts and scrapes typically results in a minor wound. Some of the symptoms linked to such injuries include pain at the site of the puncture, inflammation, swelling, tenderness in the surrounding skin as well as bleeding. Home treatments should help you manage the cuts. Note however, that these remedies are intended for minor cuts. Deep cuts with heavy bleeding must be attended to by as a matter of emergency.

1. Cleaning The Cut:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Clean water, mild antibacterial soap, clean towel, and sterile bandage.
Difficulty: Easy

 

One of the simplest ways you can treat a cut or scrape is to use running water. This is key to speedy healing of the cut. The water not only gets rid of the dirt and debris on the skin surface, it also eliminates any bacteria, thus preventing infections. It is recommended that you use cold water as it helps reduce the pain and inflammation. Make sure you use clean tap water. If you must, boil the water and let it cool before cleaning the cut or scrape. You will need a bandage to dress the resulting wound.

Directions:

  1. Pour the cold water over the cut/scrape or run the tap at moderate pressure.
  2. Rub the antibacterial soap on the skin and wash for 10 minutes.
  3. Rinse the skin well to get rid of the soapy foam and then dry well using a clean towel.
  4. Dress the affected part of the skin using sterile bandage.

 

2. Turmeric Powder:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Turmeric powder. Flaxseed oil (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Turmeric powder is hailed as a versatile home remedy, thanks to its natural antibiotic properties. When you get a cut, one of the most important things you must do is ensure that bacteria does not enter the punctured skin. This is where a home remedy with antibacterial properties comes in.

Research shows that curcumin, an active ingredient present in turmeric reduces the pain and inflammation as well as speed up the healing process by regulating the production of collagen at the site of the cut.You may use turmeric powder on its own or opt to add flaxseed oil to the remedy. The oil speeds up the process of recovery and provides a base for the application of the herb. Follow the directions below for simple application of this home remedy.

NOTE: Turmeric should be used with caution for those with blood disorders.

Directions:

  1. If the minor cut is still bleeding, simply place a pinch of turmeric powder on it to stop the bleeding.
  2. Alternatively, add a few drops of olive oil to the turmeric powder and prepare a paste. Apply the paste on the cut at least twice daily in order to treat as well as prevent any infections present.
  3. If you prefer, you may add the turmeric powder to a glass of milk and drink the resulting mixture daily. This works over a period of time, but is not as effective as the first two options.

 

3. Indian Lilac (also Known as Neem):

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: A handful of neem leaves, 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder, some lime juice, and pestle and mortar.
Difficulty: Easy+

 

Indian Lilac, also known as neem plant, is a handy remedy for the natural treatment of cuts and scrapes. The remedy works because it has a high concentration of the fatty acids required for the proper synthesis of collagen. When applied on the punctured skin, the neem plant helps the skin retain its elasticity as well as improve the healing process. Other benefits of using neem leaves include their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Turmeric is added for its healing properties mentioned above.

Directions:

  1. Grind the neem leaves using the pestle and mortar so that you have a coarse paste.
  2. Add the turmeric powder and lime juice to the paste and grind some more.
  3. Apply the resulting paste to the cut / scraped skin and allow it to dry.
  4. Use this remedy thrice daily for quick recovery.

 

4. Garlic:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Garlic cloves, a pinch of salt, gauze, and warm water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Garlic has long been used as a natural remedy for the treatment of different conditions. When used to treat cuts and scrapes at home, garlic cloves are preferred because they have potent antibiotic and antimicrobial properties. In addition to this, the garlic cloves contain active ingredients which help reduce the bleeding. Salt is added to enhance the healing of the cuts and scrapes as well as help crush the garlic cloves with ease.

Directions:

  1. Peel the garlic cloves well and cut into small pieces which will be easy to crush.
  2. Add a pinch of salt to the crushed garlic and pound some more until you have a paste.
  3. Apply this paste on the cut/scraped skin and then wrap the gauze to hold the paste in place.
  4. Leave the paste on for some 20 minutes before rinsing using warm water.
  5. Use this remedy twice daily until the cuts and scrapes are completely healed.

 

5. Coconut Oil:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Coconut oil and sterile bandage.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Coconut oil is a simple and effective home remedy for the natural treatment of cuts and scrapes. The oil is best known for its moisturizing properties, but did you know that it also has antibacterial healing properties that come in handy? Studies show that the active ingredients present in the oil not only keep the skin soft and supple, they also prevent the torn skin from getting infections. This remedy also has the advantage of reducing scarring, making it an all-round effective home solution to cuts and scrapes. Follow the simple directions below to get the most of coconut oil.

Directions:

  1. Scoop some of the coconut oil and apply it on the affected part of the skin.
  2. Place the gauze over the oil n order to lock in the moisture and the oil’s healing properties.
  3. Use this remedy as often as you need to until the skin is completely healed.

 

6. Raw Potatoes:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 2 Raw potatoes, a grater, a clean piece of cloth, and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Raw potatoes are an excellent remedy for the home treatment of cuts and scrapes. All you need to do to get the best of this remedy is to create poultice in order to help you heal the cuts. Other benefits of using potatoes include its moisturizing properties and healing effects. You will need warm water to rinse the skin as described in the directions below.

Directions:

  1. Clean the raw potatoes well and proceed to grate them.
  2. Spread the potato gratings on a clean piece of cloth to create a poultice.
  3. Hold the poultice over the cut/scraped skin for about half an hour (or more if you are not time-strapped).
  4. Rinse the skin with warm water.
  5. Use this remedy daily until the cut is completely healed.

 

7. Raw Honey:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Raw honey, gauze, and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Honey is an ideal remedy for the natural treatment of cuts and scrapes. This is because raw honey is able to destroy any bacterial populations at the site of the injury, thus effectively preventing infections from forming in the first place. Additional benefits for the use of raw honey include moisturization properties as well as speedy healing.

NOTE: Do not use cooked honey as its enzymes are destroyed by the heat, making it less effective.

Directions:

  1. Simply apply raw honey on the cut/scraped skin and allow it to dry for half an hour.
  2. You may wrap the sterile gauze on the skin.
  3. Rinse the honey using warm water.
  4. Use this remedy daily until the skin heals.

 

8. Cayenne Pepper:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 1/2 Teaspoon of cayenne pepper, some warm water, and gauze.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Cayenne pepper is a fiery remedy whose effective healing for the treatment of cuts and scrapes makes it a choice solution. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, the cayenne pepper is also known to enhance faster clotting of the blood. For this reason, you need to use this remedy in consultation with your doctor if you are using medication for blood disorders.

Directions:

  1. Add a few drops of water to the cayenne pepper powder to get a paste.
  2. Apply this paste on the cut/scraped skin and let it dry.
  3. Rinse with warm water after half an hour.
  4. Alternatively, simply add 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to a glass of hot water and drink this mixture properly.

 

9. Tea Tree Essential Oil:

Time Required: 15 Min
What You Need: Tea tree essential oil, olive oil (carrier oil), and cotton wool.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Tea tree essential oil is one of the easiest and most effective ways to treat cuts and scrapes. The oil is rich in antibacterial and anti fungal properties, making it an effective solution to potential infections. Do not, however, apply tea tree oil on its own. You need to dilute it using a carrier oil, olive oil in this case, to prevent skin irritation. This is especially important for those with sensitive skin.

Directions:

  1. Mix the tea tree oil with the olive oil and soak the cotton wool in the oil mixture.
  2. Dab the wet cotton wool onto the cut/scrapes.
  3. Use this remedy thrice daily for best results.

 

10. Aloe Vera Gel:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Fresh aloe vera gel.
Difficulty: Easy

 

It is impossible to put up a list of home remedies for managing cuts and scrapes without mentioning the use of aloe vera gel. Long used for its soothing and medicinal properties, the gel comes in handy for curing wounds resulting from cuts and scrapes. Simply extract the sap from the leaf for this remedy.

Directions:

  1. Cut the edge of the stalk found in the aloe vera leaf in order to extract the sap.
  2. Rub the stalk over the affected skin. Do this every few hours to speed up healing.

 

In addition, make sure you eat a healthy diet to ensure that your body gets the nutrients it need s for a strong immune system. The above remedies work well for minor cuts and scrapes. These injuries happen often, which is why it is important to have these remedies in mind. For more serious injuries however, especially those which involve lots of bleeding, it is imperative that you see a medical doctor immediately to prevent further complications. Look out for other symptoms that accompany deep cuts such as unconsciousness or fainting episodes.

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