There are many different types of wounds. Some are bleeding, some are not. Some are gaping, some are clean and simple.

Wounds can be caused by an injury, or by an infection, or by being immobile, or by chronic illnesses.

Some people are more prone to wounds than others. Very active people get injured more often than others, and people with diabetes tend to get infections from wounds more easily than others.

You can look after most wounds yourself, by keeping them clean and preventing infection. Most wounds will health themselves.

But you should see a doctor if:

• the wound is deep
• the wound is to or near your eye
• the pain gets worse
• the redness and swelling is increasing
• you develop a temperature
• the wound is from a bite, whether by an animal or another human
• you have diabetes.