Your Guide to Treating Minor Kitchen Injuries During Pumpkin Carving Season

Pumpkin carving is a classic NYC autumn ritual. Whether you’re prepping for the Central Park Pumpkin Flotilla or just decorating your Brooklyn stoop, it’s a festive tradition. Unfortunately, it’s also a peak season for kitchen injuries.

Sharp knives, tough pumpkin rinds, and slippery surfaces are a recipe for minor cuts and puncture wounds. While most are treatable at home, some may require medical attention to prevent infection.

Here’s your guide to managing minor kitchen injuries and when to call for an at-home medical visit.

First Aid for Minor Cuts

If you or a family member gets a minor cut while carving, follow these steps immediately:

1. Wash Your Hands: Before touching the wound, wash your hands with soap and water to avoid introducing bacteria.
2. Apply Gentle Pressure: Use a clean cloth or sterile gauze to apply gentle, direct pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
3. Clean the Wound: Once bleeding stops, rinse the wound thoroughly with cool, clean water. Gently wash the surrounding area with soap, but try to keep soap out of the wound itself.
4. Apply Antibiotic Ointment: A thin layer of an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment can help keep the wound moist and prevent infection.
5. Cover the Wound: Apply a sterile bandage. Change the dressing daily or whenever it gets wet or dirty.

When a Minor Cut Needs Medical Attention

A seemingly small cut can be more serious than it looks. It’s time to seek medical care if you notice any of the following:

• The bleeding won’t stop after 10-15 minutes of direct pressure.
• The cut is deep or gaping. You may be able to see fat or muscle. These wounds almost always require stitches (sutures).
• The cut is from a dirty or rusty tool. Puncture wounds, especially, carry a high risk of infection.
• There is debris in the wound (like a piece of the knife tip or pumpkin).
• Your tetanus shot is not up-to-date. A tetanus booster is recommended every 10 years.

At-Home Care for Kitchen Injuries in NYC

Instead of heading to an urgent care waiting room with a bleeding hand, you can have a medical professional come to you.

Sickday.com dispatches certified medical practitioners to homes across NYC to treat minor injuries. Our practitioners can:

• Professionally clean and assess the wound.
• Apply sutures (stitches) or surgical glue to close the cut right at your kitchen table.
• Administer a tetanus shot if needed.
• Prescribe antibiotics if the wound is at high risk for infection.

Enjoy the fall festivities safely. But if a slip of the knife happens, we’re here to help you heal quickly and properly.

For non-emergency cuts and wounds, skip the wait. Book a visit now through our website.