Pathways Contact PEIA Home Return to Index Cuts, Scrapes and Punctures Cuts, scrapes, and punctures can all result in bleeding. Cuts slice the skin open. Close a cut so it won't get infected. Scrapes hurt only the top part of your skin. They can hurt more than cuts, but they heal quicker.
Punctures stab deep.
Leave punctures open so they won't get infected. You can treat most cuts, scrapes, and punctures yourself. But you should get emergency care if you are bleeding a lot, or if you are hurt very badly. Blood gets thicker after bleeding for a few minutes. This is called clotting.