Wash your hands before touching the cut
Rinse the cut gently with clean running water
Use mild soap around the cut, not inside it
Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth if bleeding
Keep the cut moist with petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment
Cover it with a clean bandage
Change the bandage daily or when wet or dirty
Keep the cut protected from dirt and friction
Avoid picking at scabs
Elevate the injured area if it is swollen
Rest the area to reduce reopening the wound
Eat enough protein, vitamin C, and zinc
Drink plenty of water
Get enough sleep
Avoid smoking
Seek medical care if the cut is deep, gaping, dirty, or not healing
Seek medical care if there is increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or fever