(HealthDay News) -- If you or someone else has gotten a deep cut, it's important to stay calm and administer first aid.
The American College of Emergency Physicians offers these suggestions for treating a deep cut:
- Hold a clean cloth or bandage against the wound, and apply steady pressure.
- At the same time, hold the injured area above your heart (unless a limb is broken).
- If your bandage becomes soaked, leave it there and apply a fresh bandage on top of the old one.
- Try to gently rinse the cut with tap water only -- no antiseptics or soap.
- If after five minutes the cut continues to bleed, if the cut is very deep or wide, if it's located on the head, or otherwise looks serious, seek immediate medical attention.
