Health Tip: Caring for a Deep Cut

Feb. 3 -- (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.