When That Cut Might Need Stitches or Other Medical Care

Your skin is tough, but it can’t withstand every injury. Cuts and lacerations have a wide range of severity, and sometimes, it’s necessary to decide if you can treat a cut at home or seek medical attention for proper care and healing. 

As primary care specialists, Dr. Rekha Kesavan and the team at Comprehensive Primary Care see their share of laceration injuries. When your cut straddles the line between home care and the need for stitches or other medical treatment, contact us at our nearest location. 

Types of wounds 

 Most skin wounds fall into one of four general categories:

1. Abrasions

Think of abrasions as scrapes against a hard or rough surface, like pavement. Scraped knees and elbows are common abrasions that virtually everyone experiences. 

While an abrasion probably can’t be treated with stitches, cleaning the wound thoroughly is crucial. Seek medical care if you have difficulty removing dirt or debris from your wound.

1. Lacerations

Knives, sharp tools, and even the edge of a sheet of paper can cause lacerations. Profuse bleeding may mean it’s time for stitches, particularly if you have difficulty stemming the flow with pressure and typical household bandages. Excessive bleeding requires a professional cleaning and stitches.

1. Punctures

Common puncture wounds include things like stepping on a nail or pricking yourself with something sharp. Puncture wounds can be painful and deep; sometimes, they won’t bleed heavily. A deep penetration can damage tissues and organs under the skin's surface, and the opening can introduce bacteria, dirt, and other pathogens. Stitches may help you protect a puncture wound through healing, and you may need a tetanus shot, depending on how the puncture occurred. 

1. Avulsions

The most severe type of cut wound is called an avulsion, and it results from severe trauma, such as an automobile accident. Crushing and tears can damage the skin, muscle, and other underlying tissue. This type of injury requires medical treatment because the damage may be extensive or hidden. 

Home care for minor wounds 

If you can control bleeding within 20 minutes or less, you can deal successfully with the injury at home. Common steps for treatment include:

• Applying direct pressure to the wound to stop bleeding
• Cleaning and disinfecting the wound
• Covering the injury with a sterile bandage
• Keeping the wound clean and dry as healing starts
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers if needed

Avoid aspirin because it acts as a blood thinner and could prolong bleeding. 

Watch for infection

Your wound may be infected if you notice symptoms such as:

• Redness around the cut
• Skin feels warm or hot
• Streaks of red near the wound
• Pus leaks from the cut
• You have a fever

Infections can develop into serious conditions. Seek medical attention whenever you suspect a cut has become infected. 

When to seek urgent care

Some guidelines for seeking medical attention include:

• A cut is longer than about half an inch
• The bleeding hasn’t stopped in 20 minutes
• The edges of the cut are jagged or torn
• There's debris like glass or gravel that you can't remove from the wound
• Blood pulses or spurts from the wound
• The injury was caused by a severe accident
• An aminal bite injury
• The wound originated from a dirty or rusty object

If you have any doubt about your ability to control bleeding or care for the wound, contact Comprehensive Primary Care at the nearest of our three locations. Call or click to schedule your visit.