How To Heal A Cut Quickly (Using Natural, Easy-to-Find Materials)

Cuts in the skin can be very painful and cause the skin to become inflamed or ulcerated. Fortunately, there are many natural antiseptics that you can try at home to help heal wounds. Since cuts heal faster when kept moist, applying a natural cream or ointment can help speed up your recovery. However, you should see a doctor if the cut does not stop bleeding, the cut is deeper than 0.5 cm, or if signs of infection appear.

Table of Contents

Sponge

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Wash and dry your hands. Wash your hands under running water and lather with mild soap, then scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds to kill any germs and bacteria before rinsing off the soap. Pat your hands dry with a clean towel before treating the wound. ^{[1] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

You can also use hand sanitizer if you can’t afford to wash your hands with soap and water. Wait for the solution to evaporate before touching the cut to avoid stinging.
If possible, you should put on disposable gloves before touching the wound to prevent germs from spreading.

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Press gauze or a clean cloth over the wound to stop the bleeding. Choose a lint-free cloth that you don’t regret throwing away, or a large gauze pad that can cover the cut. Apply the cloth to the wound and gently press down just above the cut. Change the gauze if blood soaks the gauze and continue to press down with steady pressure until the bleeding stops. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

If possible, you should elevate the wound area to reduce blood flow to the wound, helping to stop bleeding faster.

Warning: If bleeding persists after 10 minutes, call your doctor, as this could be a serious wound. ^{[3] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source}

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Rinse the wound under running water for at least 5 minutes. Place the cut under cool or lukewarm water in the sink or shower. Move the wound under a stream of water to flush away any blood or dirt trapped inside. Continue to let water run over the wound for 5-10 minutes to fight infection. ^{[4] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

Avoid rubbing or touching the cut, as the wound may reopen and continue to bleed.
Do not immerse the wound in still water as bacteria can enter the wound. If necessary, you can use a cup to scoop up clean water and pour it over the wound.

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Disinfect the wound with saline solution. Wet the gauze with the saline solution and gently press on the cut. Remove the gauze immediately to prevent the wound from reopening. Continue to soak around until the wound is completely clean. ^{[5] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

If you don’t have a saline solution, you can use tap water or an alcohol-free antibacterial wipe.
Avoid using hydrogen peroxide to disinfect wounds, as hydrogen peroxide can cause irritation. ^{[6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Pat the wound dry with a clean, lint-free towel. Carefully apply the towel to the wound and gently press to dry the water. Do not rub the towel over the wound to avoid causing pain and re-bleeding. You should just soak up and down on the skin to dry. ^{[7] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

Avoid using porous or fibrous cotton materials, as they can leave crumbs on the wound.

Dressing

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Apply honey to the cut to effectively prevent the virus. Choose organic honey, as this is unprocessed and works better. Apply honey to the cut with your fingers, being careful not to let the wound open. Rub a thin and even layer of honey over the wound. ^{[8] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Honey contains antioxidants, in addition to anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
If the honey doesn’t come out easily, you can slowly add a tablespoon of water to thin it out.
You can also spread honey on a bandage or gauze if you find it easier than applying it to your skin.

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Use a mixture of turmeric powder to help the wound heal faster. Place 1-2 tablespoons (3-6 g) of turmeric powder in a bowl and slowly add water to the halves one at a time. Mix turmeric with water until it forms a paste-like paste that can be easily spread on the skin. Apply a thin layer of turmeric to the cut to keep it moist and help it heal. ^{[9] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Turmeric has anti-infective properties and contains antioxidants that keep the wound sterile.
The skin may become temporarily yellow when applying turmeric.

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Use lavender or chamomile oil as a natural antibacterial. Mix 2-3 drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of a carrier oil, such as olive, almond, or avocado oil. Dip gauze or a piece of cloth in the oil mixture and gently rub it over the cut. Apply the oil in a thin layer to the entire skin around the wound. ^{[10] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

You can buy lavender or chamomile essential oils online and in pharmacies.
You can also try tea tree oil, but currently there isn’t much research on using tea tree oil topically on wounds. ^{[11] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

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Try vitamin E ointment or oil if the wound shows signs of inflammation. If the cut is swollen or red, you can apply a fingertip-sized amount of vitamin E ointment or oil to the wound. Try to rub around the wound to allow vitamin E to penetrate the skin, but be careful not to hurt or open the wound. ^{[12] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source}

You can find topicals containing vitamin E at drugstores.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help reduce redness and swelling.

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Choose a zinc ointment if you want to limit scarring. Choose an ointment with at least 3% zinc to be more effective. Take a fingertip-sized amount of ointment and rub it slowly over the skin around the cut. Rub until the ointment becomes transparent to make it easier for the skin to absorb. ^{[13] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Ointments containing zinc are available in pharmacies.
You can also take zinc supplements instead of topical medications. Check with your doctor before starting to use it to make sure it doesn’t interact with any medications you’re taking.
The body uses zinc to repair tissue more efficiently, so there is less chance of scarring.

Help wounds heal

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Increase vitamin C and protein in your diet. Include fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, oranges, apples or spinach in your meals to get 75–90 mg of vitamin C per day. Choose healthy sources of protein like eggs, lean meat, dairy, and seafood for meals, because the body will have to work harder to heal. You need to eat 0.8 g of protein per kg of body weight. Try to combine foods into several small meals and snacks throughout the day to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need. ^{[16] X Trusted Source EatRight.org Go to Source}

For example, a person weighing 68 kg will need 54 g of protein per day.
If you’re not getting enough vitamin C in your diet, talk to your doctor about taking a vitamin C supplement.
Vitamin C helps strengthen the immune system, while protein provides energy and nutrients to help the body recover.

Tip: You can also incorporate zinc-rich foods into your diet, such as whole-wheat bread, nuts, seeds, and shellfish.

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Drink water to keep your body hydrated and recover faster. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water spread throughout the day to keep your skin from drying out. Avoid drinks with sugar or caffeine like juice, soft drinks or coffee, as they can make you more dehydrated and hinder wound healing. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Dry skin makes it difficult for cuts to heal and can leave more visible scars.

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Exercise regularly to increase blood circulation and speed up the recovery process. Make it a habit to exercise at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Try walking, jogging, lifting light weights, cycling or swimming, as these are gentle and painless activities. Continue to be active even after full recovery, as this helps you prevent and heal injuries faster. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

If you have a serious injury, ask your doctor about which activities are right for you.
Physical activity enhances blood circulation and oxygen transport to the wound, helping the wound to receive nutrients and heal.

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Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking. Cut down on alcohol and tobacco in any form, as they can stress the body and cause dehydration. If you regularly drink alcohol or smoke, stop until the wound is completely healed. Otherwise, the cut may take longer to heal or leave a scar. ^{[19] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source}

Tobacco and alcohol can affect the body’s nutrient processing and make it harder for wounds to heal.

In case of needing medical attention

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Seek emergency medical attention if the cut is in a sensitive location. With severe cuts on your face, hands or feet, it can be difficult to treat on your own at home. You also need to be checked if the cut cuts through the joints, as nerves or ligaments may be damaged. In addition to cleaning the wound, the doctor may need stitches to keep the wound closed and reduce the risk of scarring. ^{[20] X Cleveland Clinic Trusted Source Go to Source}

If there is dirt or debris in the cut that you are too sensitive to remove yourself, see your doctor for help.

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Go to the emergency room when the cut is deeper than 0.5 cm. Deep cuts can damage muscles or internal organs, and this can lead to serious complications if left untreated. While you shouldn’t worry too much, go to the emergency room right away if you have any of the following symptoms: ^{[21] X Source of Research}

You cannot stop bleeding after 20 minutes.
The blood is bright red or spurts out, which means the wound may have cut an artery.
You see red muscle or yellow fat.
The cut remains open even if you try to close the wound.

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See your doctor if you have a fever or signs of an infection. Even with the right treatment and the ability to heal, cuts can sometimes become infected. See your doctor or go to the emergency room if you notice the following signs of infection: ^{[22] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to source}

Fever
Red
Swelling
Hot
So much pain
Excretion

Advice

Remember to test on a small area of your skin first when using natural remedies to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction that makes the wound worse.
Try applying ice to the cut in 20-minute increments if you need pain and inflammation relief. ^{[23] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source}
Once the wound has healed, you can use concealer to cover the mark.

Warning

For severe cuts or signs of infection, you should not self-treat, but seek medical attention promptly.
Avoid sticking scabs on the wound, as you may delay healing or leave a scar. ^{[24] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source}

Steps