Skin cuts and wounds are common domestic injuries, especially in young children. They also occur in industrial workers especially those involved in operating machinery.

Common causes include;

1. Falls e.g., while running, or walking on a slippery floor
2. During play
3. During home sports
4. Also, while cooking, while cutting fingernail.

What you can do

1. Prevent contamination of the wound; clean the wound site with clean water
2. Put a clean cloth or cotton wool on the site to reduce blood loss
3. You can apply iodine, and then bandage the wound
4. Visit a hospital especially if the wound is deep or the bleeding persists. The doctor may recommend a stitching, tetanus injection, antibiotics among other things.

Prevention of skin cuts and wounds

1. Handle sharp objects with care
2. Keep sharp objects out of a child’s reach
3. Discourage violent plays
4. Avoid buying toys with sharp edges for your child
5. Keep a functional first aid kit at home