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Wash the area with warm water. Apply an antibiotic ointment. Cover the scrape or cut with a bandage. Change the dressing once a day and keep the cut or scrape covered. Go to the doctor if the cut or scrape does not heal after 1 to 3 weeks.
Place the cut or scrape under warm running water to remove surface dirt and debris. Make sure the water is not too hot, as it can damage your skin further. Allow the water to rinse off the cut or scrape. As you rinse off the cut or scrape, notice if it is very deep or large. If you can see tissue or fat inside the cut or it is 3 inches (7.6cm) or larger in diameter, go to your doctor right away. You may need stitches for the cut to properly heal. Look for an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment at your local drugstore or pharmacy. Use clean fingers to apply the ointment one to three times a day or as directed on the label. The ointment will help to keep the area moist and prevent bacteria from getting into broken skin, allowing it to heal. You may use antibiotic ointments like Bactine or Polysporin. Keep the cut or scrape moist and protected with a bandage. Use a small Band-Aid for a smaller wound or cut. Put non-fluffy gauze on a larger wound or cut, securing the ends with medical tape. To ensure the cut or scrape heals quickly, make sure you put on a fresh bandage every 24 hours. Remove the old bandage and apply antibiotic ointment to the cut. Then, put on a new bandage. Keep the cut or scrape covered so it can stay moist and heal quickly. Make sure you keep the cut or scrape covered when you go outside and expose your skin to the sun. The sun can discolor the cut or scrape, leading to a slower healing time. You should take off the bandage only when you are in the shower, as the moisture will help the cut to heal. Most minor cuts and surface scrapes will heal within 1 to 3 weeks with no scarring. If the cut or scrape does not show signs of improvement, or a scab does not form, go to your doctor. They can assess the cut or scrape and determine if it has become infected.