Minor cuts and wounds are unwanted but unexpected common surprises of our life. These are the injuries of the outer layer of the skin which either gets cut or bruised.
Since minor cuts and wounds are not deep rooted they can be easily treated with home remedies.
Your knife just would have slipped and your fingers might get a minor cut, or you fell down during sports and bruised or any other activity that might give you minor cuts or bruises, you will be better of using home remedies for cuts and bruises rather than using the prescribed ointments and other harsh chemicals.
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera can help in all sorts of burns, cuts, bruises, scrapes and other sores. It also soothes sunburn. Aloe Vera is a great remedy for all kinds of skin problems. Aloe Vera not only help healing bruises and cuts but also repair the broken capillaries underneath the first layer of skin.
- cut a fresh leaf of Aloe Vera and extract gel
- apply some on the cut or bruise and store the rest in refrigerated sealed glass container.
- apply it every couple of hours
Most minor cuts and bruises should be healed within 2 days.
2. Honey
Virgin, unprocessed and unfiltered honey is one of the best home remedies to heal minor cuts and wounds. It also can be good for skin dryness, scrapes and bruises. With its antibiotic capabilities it can really competes with any other OTC ointment and cream to heal cuts and bruises.
- apply honey on the affected area
- apply it every 2-3 hours
Honey will not let any bacteria or fungus to affect the area.
3. Sugar
Sugar doesn't allow germs to grow on a wound. Sprinkle sugar on your bruises or minor cuts. Sugar is antiseptic, and it is one of the sure things you will find in your kitchen when you cut or bruise yourself.
This is the instant first aid. Just sprinkle sugar on your bruises and leave it for a couple of hours. Clean your wound after that with apple cider vinegar and apply other remedies as described here. Use sugar as the first line of defense as it is the most accessible item in the kitchen other than perhaps salt.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric is a magic healer. It has antiseptic, antibiotic and antifungal capabilities. It prevents infections.
- sprinkle turmeric powder on your wound
- cover the wound with surgical bandage if required
Turmeric will leave permanent yellow color mars on your clothes so be careful when you apply it on your wounds.
5. Coconut Oil
Virgin coconut oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. it is one of the most gentle home remedies for cuts and bruises or any other skin condition. The nutrients in coconut oil keep the skin healthy.
- apply a layer of coconut oil on the cut or bruise
- apply it every 2 hour for the rest of the day
You will feel instant pain relief and your wounds heal fast.
6. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tre oil is a superb antiseptic and antibacterial liquid. It will not sting if directly applied on the skin. It is very gentle on the skin. It gets absorbed easily in the skin. That is why it is very effective. That is why it is also good for acne whose infection can be deep rooted.
Apply tea tree oil 3-4 times a day on your wound. The only disadvantage it has is that it may not be easily available in every home. You need to buy and keep it for such occasion. It is not a common kitchen ingredient as many other remedies for cuts and bruises listed here.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has good antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory capabilities. It helps in treating all kinds of skin wounds.
- take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- moist a q-tip on it and apply it on your bruises
You can use cotton balls in place of q-tips if the area of bruise or cut is bigger.
8. Garlic
Garlic has antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic juice contains allicin which is as powerful as penicillin.
- grate a garlic clove or more depending on the size of the bruised or cut area of the wound
- rub it on the area or spread it on the area and cover it with a clean cloth.
- or extract juice of garlic cloves and apply on the wound
9. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is great for blood to clot fast. it also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial capabilities so it disinfects the wound.
- grind cayenne pepper on a stone and apply the ground pepper on the wound
- within 10-12 seconds the bleeding will stop
Please note that cayenne pepper will sting initially but then it will be soothing. If you have dried cayenne powder then apply it directly on the wound.
If your wound is deep then you can drink a teaspoon of cayenne powder added to a glass of water. You can add a teaspoon of honey to drink it without the throat burning.
10. Potato
Potato juice helps heal wounds. It instantly reduces inflammation and pain.
- shred a large potato with a grater
- spread shredded potato on a surgical bandage or any clean cloth to make it a poultice and apply on the wound
- keep it there for 3-4 hours and clean the area with salt water to apply it again
11. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a natural astringent. it contains resins, procyanidins and flavonoids. With its anti-inflammatory properties it is one of the most versatile and effective products for many skin problems. It provides soothing and calming effect on the skin.
Apply witch hazel on your bruise. It speeds up the healing process.
If the above remedies do not show immediate results and within the 2 days your bruise or minor cut is not showing any signs of healing improvements then you must visit your doctor.