There are five basic rules or principles for wound care and management, which are as follows: • Hemostasis: in simpler terms, hemostasis is merely stopping the flow of blood from a wound. Hemostasis is typically achieved by placing pressure on the wound. • Cleaning the wound: once the flow of blood has been stopped, the nurse or doctor disinfects it with antiseptic, removes any debris from the wound, washes it with saline, and provides antibiotics if the wound is at risk of infection. • Numbing the wound: an analgesic is used to numb the wound to allow for painless and streamlined closure of the wound. The numbing usually occurs with an injection of local anesthesia around the wound. • Skin closure: the edges of the wound are brought together so it can heal properly. Skin closure can be accomplished through adhesive strips, sutures (stitches), or staples for severe scalp wounds. • Dressing and follow-up guidance: the nurse or doctor will cover the wound with dressing and a bandage to prevent contamination, infection, or re-opening. Once it is sufficiently protected, they will offer the patient advice on caring for the wound, what to avoid, and when to come and see them for suture removal. They will also advise you to see them if you experience any concerns with the wound between that time.