Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the wound
Stop any bleeding with gentle pressure using clean gauze or cloth
Rinse the wound with clean running water or sterile saline
Gently clean around the wound with mild soap and water
Remove visible dirt or debris with clean tweezers cleaned with alcohol
Pat the area dry with a clean towel or gauze
Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment if you are not allergic
Cover the wound with a sterile nonstick bandage
Change the dressing daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty
Keep the wound clean and dry between dressing changes
Rest the affected area and avoid pressure or friction
Elevate the area if it is swollen
Use over-the-counter pain relief if needed and safe for you
Monitor for increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or pain
Seek medical care promptly if you have fever, red streaks, bad odor, worsening drainage, or the wound is deep, large, from a bite, or not improving
Get urgent care if you have diabetes, poor circulation, a weakened immune system, or the infection is spreading