Only a doctor can assess whether a cut requires stitches or an adhesive closure — and they can help you minimize your risk of infection and other complications. Emergencies can happen in the blink of an eye or the beat of the heart. And when they do, seconds matter. All our emergency departments have a full-time staff of emergency specialists at the ready 24 hours a day.
We use advanced technology to diagnose and treat your condition and coordinate with your doctor to provide the best care possible. Share this on: No matter how careful we are, scrapes and cuts are bound to happen. The cut may need to be cleaned or stitched, and you may be given antibiotics. Bleeding from small cuts and grazes can be controlled by applying pressure to the cut using a clean, non-fluffy pad preferably a sterile dressing, if you have one.
You should also raise the injured body part above the level of the heart so the bleeding slows down and stops.
If it's your hand or arm, raise it above your head; if it's a lower limb, lie down and raise it. If you do not have a sterile dressing, use a hand, tea towel or T-shirt to slow down the bleeding. Once you're sure the cut is clean and the bleeding has stopped, wrap a dressing around it and make sure it's secure. For more information about cleaning cuts and grazes, see How do I clean a wound? The next step is to clean the wound.
Research shows that the best way to clean your injury is by rinsing it with lukewarm, potable water, making sure to wash away any debris in the wound.
This is a more sanitary option. Gently clean around the cut with soap and water to prevent infection. There are a few main reasons you might need stitches. This size of cut is likely to bleed excessively and will need stitches to stop the bleeding.
A puncture wound , like the one caused by stepping on a nail or a dog bite, can cause a deep laceration that can lead to serious infection. Some cuts are harder to heal because of their location.
Cuts on your face, especially around your eyes, hands, or genital area, are vulnerable to infection, so they will need stitches.
If your wound is over a joint, you will likely need stitches to hold the cut closed and allow it to heal. For example, if you have a cut on your knee, the movement from walking could prevent it from healing. Your cut should stop or mostly stop bleeding after 10 to 15 minutes of elevation and pressure. If it continues to bleed, it may mean that the cut has punctured an artery or vein. This means you will need stitches. Visually examine your cut as much as you can.
If your cut is deep enough that you can see different kinds of tissues — including fat, muscle tissue, or bone — you will need to get stitches for it to heal properly. Cuts from clean blades like kitchen knives usually have straight edges, which heal well. These cuts may not require stitches. Other sharp objects can leave a messier wound and make you more vulnerable to infection.
A rusty or jagged tool A dirty implement An animal bite or scratch Broken glass Additionally, you might need medication to prevent tetanus if your cut was caused by a rusty implement or rabies treatment if the bite came from a wild animal.
If you have dissolvable stitches , they may take a week or two to dissolve. You will need to return to the hospital or clinic to get these stitches taken out. Watch your cut for signs of infection as it heals. You should see your doctor right away if you notice redness especially red streaks around your wound, pus draining from the injury, or if your wound feels warm to the touch.
0コメント