These wounds are often left slightly open so that bacteria deep in the wound aren’t trapped inside and left to cause an abscess. If the wound is gaping (wide open), stitches can be useful to bring the edges together loosely. You may need antibiotics, a tetanus shot, or treatment for rabies. This is because they carry a high risk of infection. Covering a wound with a bandage for the first couple of days can help protect it from further injury as the healing process starts.Īnimal bites may not need stitches, but they always need medical review. Antibiotic ointments aren’t usually needed for minor wounds unless you have a weaker immune system. Irrigation, or rinsing, is one of the most important things you can do to prevent wound infections. Whatever you decide to do, first clean the wound thoroughly with water. If you aren’t sure, it’s always best to get it checked out by a medical professional. If a wound is small and doesn’t expose deeper layers of skin, it may not need stitches. Many cuts or small wounds will heal well without stitches. People with diabetes, weaker immune systems, and poor circulation often take longer to heal. Human bites are nearly as risky as cat bites. Wounds with foreign bodies (dirt, glass, etc.) stuck insideĪnimal bites, especially cat bites, have a high risk of infection - they often require antibiotics. Very deep wounds that might affect tendons or ligaments Wounds that are more than ½ inch long may need stitchesĬuts on the face where scarring is a concernĬuts over joints or other areas of tension or movement where future mobility is at riskĬuts that won’t stop bleeding despite applying firm, direct pressure for 10 minutes Wide, gaping wounds that leave deeper layers of skin and fat exposed The need for stitches depends on a few factors, including how deep the cut is and where it is on the body.Īs a general rule, here are some features of cuts that mean you may need stitches or medical evaluation: Size Most cuts will heal with or without stitches, but some wounds heal better - and less visibly - with help. Sometimes a numbing cream can be applied to reduce pain. Because this involves a sharp needle, a healthcare provider injects a numbing medication (local anesthetic) into the wound and the surrounding skin before placing the sutures. It involves threading a suture through the skin to bring the two edges of the wound together and encourage healing. Stitching - or suturing - is the process of placing the sutures. The “suture” is the string used to bring the wound edges together. Though we often say that we get “stitches,” technically that’s not entirely accurate. What is the difference between sutures and stitches? Keep reading to learn more about when to get checked out for a cut. But did you know that even some small cuts can be problematic to heal? A lot of it depends on where the cut is on the body. Most big cuts need professional treatment. No matter how you got hurt, you’ll likely be wondering what type of care your injury needs. There are many different ways that you can end up with a cut or wound.
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