Certainly not recommended. While hand sanitizer can be used on minor cuts and wounds to reduce the spread of germs before seeking medical attention, it should not be used on wounds that are actively bleeding or deep enough to require sutures. Applying alcohol-based hand sanitizer to an open wound can cause tissue damage and slow healing. The alcohol content in hand sanitizer can also irritate and damage the tissues in an open wound, increasing the risk of infection and potentially causing scarring.
Instead, cuts should be washed with clean water to aid in eliminating dirt and debris and to prepare the injury for healing. If a wound shows signs of infection such as pain, redness, excessive drainage or bleeding that doesn's stop, an abscess, or the inability to keep bandages on, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
