List of 12 Best Medicines for Minor Cuts – Composition, Dosage, Popularity & More

January 31, 2019

Cuts and scratches are areas of damage on the surface of the skin. A cut is a line of damage that can go through the skin and into the muscle tissues below, whereas a scratch is surface damage that does not penetrate the lower tissues.

Cuts and scratches may bleed or turn red, become infected, and leave scars.

The symptoms of cuts and scratches include:

bleeding
redness or swelling around the wound
pain or irritation at the skin surface

Cuts and scratches can happen to anyone. People are more likely to get cuts if they are in a combative situation or if they handle sharp objects. Scratches are usually accidental.

Children are more susceptible to cuts and scratches than adults because they are more active and have less control over their growing bodies.

A cut is usually the result of an encounter with a sharp object, such as a knife or razor blade. Objects with thin edges, like a piece of paper or a thin cardboard box, can also create cuts if not handled carefully.

There are several ways to treat cuts and scratches, depending on their severity. If the skin is kept clean, many cuts and scratches heal on their own. To accelerate that healing process, patients can choose from the following methods:

Over-the-counter and prescription medications are available for wound care: antibiotic ointment can prevent infection of a cut or scratch; pain relievers may reduce irritation and control inflammation around the wound, and some topical creams may be prescribed to prevent swelling.

List of Top 12 Medicines For Minor Cuts

Pramoxine/ Zinc acetate topical
Rennu patch
Petroleum jelly
Acetaminophen
Tetanus vaccination
Nexodyn
WoundClenz
Amerigel
Anasept
BerbereX wound cleanser
Bacitracin Ointment
Bandage

Top 12 Medicines for Minor Cuts in India (Tablets, Syrups, Ointment & More)

1. Pramoxine/ Zinc acetate topical: Cure’s pain associated with minor cut

Brand name – Caladryl clear
Composition – Zinc acetate/ Pramoxine
Popularity level – 5
Caladryl Clear (pramoxine) is an anesthetic, or “numbing medicine.” It works by interfering with pain signals sent from the nerves to the brain. Caladryl Clear lotion is used to treat pain or itching caused by insect bites, minor burns or scrapes, and minor skin rash, dryness, or itching.
Dosage – Apply sufficient amount to form a thin layer of the lotion on the affected area
Price – A 6-ounce bottle of the medicine costs $6.

2. Rennu patch: Cures pain and moisturizes the skin at the affected site

Brand name – Rennu patch
Composition – Allantoin/ Lidocaine/ Petrolatum topical
Popularity level – 5
Allantoin and petrolatum help to moisturize the skin and lidocaine acts as a topical anesthetic.
Dosage – Apply the patch of appropriate size on the area of the cut
How to apply – clean and dry affected area – remove mesh from the backing and apply to the affected area – use only one mesh at a time, and maximum of four mesh/day – leave mesh on the affected area for up to 8 hours.
Price – Rennu patch costs ₹85

3. Petroleum jelly: Protects the cut skin and moisturizes it

Brand name – Vaseline petroleum jelly
Composition – Petroleum jelly
Popularity level – 7
Petroleum jelly is recommended to ‘protect’ minor scrapes and cuts, and experts say it prevents scabs forming so injuries are less itchy, heal faster and leave smaller scars.
Dosage – Apply sufficient amount on the affected area
Price – A 5g bottle of the medicine costs ₹10.

4. Acetaminophen: Cures pain

Brand name – Tynelol
Composition – Acetaminophen
Popularity level – 7
Acetaminophen is a systemic drug that relieves pain. This medicine is meant to be taken orally in the form of a tablet.
Dosage – As directed by your physician. The dose depends on the severity of pain associated with the cut on the skin.
Price – A bottle of 100 tablets of Tynelol costs $22.25.

5. Tetanus vaccination: Prevents tetanus infection

Brand name – Tetanus infection
Composition – Tetanus toxoid
Popularity level – 6
The bacteria that cause tetanus can be found in soil, manure, or dust. They infect humans by entering the body through cuts or puncture wounds, particularly when the wound area is dirty. Animal bites, burns, and non-sterile injection of drugs can also lead to infection with Clostridium tetani.
If your cut was caused by a dirty or rusty item, make sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date. If you’re not sure, contact your primary care doctor.
Dosage – 0.5 ml injection, to be administered by a healthcare professional only.
Price – A 0.5 ml injection costs ₹10.

6. Nexodyn: Used for wound irrigation

Brand name – Nexodyn Antimicrobial Wound Care Solution
Composition – Hypochlorous acid
Popularity level – 6
Nexodyn is a hypochlorous acid wound cleanser. It helps to cleanse and moisten the wound environment by removing dirt, debris and foreign material by the action of the wound cleanser moving across the wound bed. It contains hypochlorous acid acting as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms within the solution.
It also cleanses, debrides and removes microorganisms from the wound and reduces wound odor.
How to use – Set nozzle to stream or spray. Flush wound or affected area until clean. For wound management, use as an irrigant, cleanser, or the wetting agent for a wet-to-moist dressing.
Dosage – Apply once daily for lightly to moderately exudative wounds. Apply twice daily for heavily exudative or highly contaminated wounds.
Price – A 100ml spray bottle costs $14.95

7. WoundClenz: Used for wound irrigation

Brand name – WoundClenz
Composition – Sodium hypochlorite 0.0125%
Popularity level – 6
WoundClenz OTC is for mechanical cleansing/debriding of acute and chronic wounds including stage I-IV pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, pre/post-surgical wounds, and burns. Low-foaming, the non-cytotoxic formula is available in a non-aerosol spray.
How to use – Set nozzle to stream or spray. Flush wound or affected area until clean. For wound management, use as an irrigant, cleanser, or the wetting agent for a wet-to-moist dressing.
Dosage – Apply once daily for lightly to moderately exudative wounds. Apply twice daily for heavily exudative or highly contaminated wounds.
Price – A 8oz bottle of the spray costs $11.

8. Amerigel: Used for moisturizing wound area

Brand name – Amerigel
Composition – Meadowsweet Extract, Oakin, Polyethylene Glycol 400, Polyethylene Glycol 3350 and Zinc Acetate
Popularity level – 6
This hydrogel formula provides a moist wound healing environment. It liquefies at body temperature for increased migration across all wound surfaces. It sustains moisture longer than standard glycerin or saline-based hydrogels.
Dosage – Apply sufficient amount of the hydrogel on the affected area so as to form a thin layer over it.
Price – A 4oz tube of the gel costs $17.77

9. Anasept: Prevents infection

Brand name – Anasept
Composition – 0.057% sodium hypochlorite
Popularity level -6
This antimicrobial skin and wound cleanser are non-cytotoxic and fully tissue compatible. It has rapid broad-spectrum bactericidal, fungicidal, sporicidal and virucidal properties.
Dosage – Apply sufficient amount of the cleanser at the affected area so as to form a thin layer.
Price – A 4oz bottle of anasept costs $12.72

10. BerbereX wound cleanser – Used for wound irrigation

Brand name – BerbereX wound cleanser
Composition – Allantoin 0.5%, benzethonium chloride 0.1%
Popularity level – 7
BerbereX Wound Cleanser is a safe and non-irritating antimicrobial wound cleanser that has broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. This formulation resolves pathogenic flora and helps to decolonize the wound.
How to use – Set nozzle to stream or spray. Flush wound or affected area until clean. For wound management, use as an irrigant, cleanser, or the wetting agent for a wet-to-moist dressing.
Dosage – Apply once daily for lightly to moderately exudative wounds. Apply twice daily for heavily exudative or highly contaminated wounds.
Price – A 4oz bottle costs $12.95

11. Bacitracin Ointment: Prevents infection

Brand name – Baciguent
Composition – Bacitracin
Popularity level – 8
This medication is used to prevent minor skin infections caused by small cuts, scrapes, or burns. Bacitracin works by stopping the growth of certain bacteria. It belongs to a class of drugs known as antibiotics.
How to use – Wash your hands before using. Clean and dry the affected area. Then gently apply a small amount of medication (no more than can fit on your fingertip) in a thin layer, usually 1 to 3 times a day or as directed by your doctor. If you are using the spray form, shake the bottle well before each use. You may cover the area with a sterile bandage. Wash your hands after use.
Price – A 1oz tube of the medicine costs $11.47

12. Bandage: Protects the cut

Brand name – BAND-AID SKIN-FLEX Adhesive Bandage
Composition – Fibre material
Popularity level – 9
Adhesive Bandages cover minor cuts and scrapes and help them heal faster. It protects the cut from the external environment and helps to heal it faster.
Price – A single band-aid costs ₹2.