Cleaning the wound properly is essential to preventing infection.
Healthcare providers will handle this for deep cuts. For minor finger cuts, follow these steps:
- Rinse the cut under clear running water.
- Wash around the wound with soap. Antibacterial soap is not necessary, but try to keep soap out of the wound because it may irritate it. If you can, avoid soap products with heavy perfumes. They may irritate the cut.
- If there is any dirt or other debris in the wound, clean a pair of tweezers with alcohol. Use them to gently remove any particles you can see. If you can’t get everything out, you might need a healthcare provider to do this.
Do not use hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or any cleaning solution that contains iodine. These products may only irritate the injury.