Do You Need Stitches? 
It happens so quickly. A knife slips while preparing dinner. You step on a piece of glass. You bang yourself against a sharp edge. Now you have a wound and you wonder if you will need stitches. The last thing you want to do is go to an emergency room but what if the wound is deep enough to require stitches? Here is some information on wounds, including the different types of wounds and the care of stitches.
The Different Types of Wounds
If you have a deep cut, you will probably need stitches. However, this treatment may not be the same as when you were a child. Now there are options such as with staples, steri-strips or even glue for closing a deep wound. The determining factor will be the type of wound and how long it has been since the accident happened.
Any open wound will require closing by a doctor. You should see your doctor if you have a wound that is deep, has jagged edges, will not quit bleeding, is red or has grayish fluid draining from it, or if it is on your face. If you begin to run a fever or if the wound is a puncture and you haven’t had a tetanus shot in the last ten years, you should see a doctor. While you may not always need stitches, it’s best to be certain that the wound did not damage tendons, ligaments, or even muscles under the skin.
Treatment for a Deep Cut
If you have a deep cut, apply a clean, dry dressing over the wound and don’t remove it. If the blood soaks through the dressing, then you should add an additional dressing over the top of the old one. Don’t remove the original one, as this can remove any clotting that has occurred. If the wound is on your arm or leg and bleeding heavily, raise the injured body part over your head, as this will help slow the bleeding. Do not apply a tourniquet except as a last resort, as this will cause the tissue below the tourniquet a lot of damage.
Once you arrive at the doctor’s office or emergency room, the wound will be cleaned and treated. Sutures may be necessary, but sometimes staples will work better. We will numb the area beforehand, so you will have little pain.
How to Care for Stitches
Most stitches are left in place for three to fourteen days. Our physicians may instruct to clean the wound after a day or two. He or she might also advise you to apply an antibiotic cream to prevent an infection. If the wound becomes red, hot, or inflamed, or if the stitches begin to come out, you’ll need to return to see your doctor.
If you have a deep wound that needs medical attention, come on over to Trinity Medical Center. We will treat your wound to prevent further problems with infection, scarring, and possibly loss of motion.
Do You Need Stitches?
It happens so quickly. A knife slips while preparing dinner. You step on a piece of glass. You bang yourself against a sharp edge. Now you have a wound and you wonder if you will need stitches. The last thing you want to do is go to an emergency room but what if the wound is deep enough to require stitches? Here is some information on wounds, including the different types of wounds and the care of stitches.
The Different Types of Wounds
If you have a deep cut, you will probably need stitches. However, this treatment may not be the same as when you were a child. Now there are options such as with staples, steri-strips or even glue for closing a deep wound. The determining factor will be the type of wound and how long it has been since the accident happened.
Any open wound will require closing by a doctor. You should see your doctor if you have a wound that is deep, has jagged edges, will not quit bleeding, is red or has grayish fluid draining from it, or if it is on your face. If you begin to run a fever or if the wound is a puncture and you haven’t had a tetanus shot in the last ten years, you should see a doctor. While you may not always need stitches, it’s best to be certain that the wound did not damage tendons, ligaments, or even muscles under the skin.
Treatment for a Deep Cut
If you have a deep cut, apply a clean, dry dressing over the wound and don’t remove it. If the blood soaks through the dressing, then you should add an additional dressing over the top of the old one. Don’t remove the original one, as this can remove any clotting that has occurred. If the wound is on your arm or leg and bleeding heavily, raise the injured body part over your head, as this will help slow the bleeding. Do not apply a tourniquet except as a last resort, as this will cause the tissue below the tourniquet a lot of damage.
Once you arrive at the doctor’s office or emergency room, the wound will be cleaned and treated. Sutures may be necessary, but sometimes staples will work better. We will numb the area beforehand, so you will have little pain.
How to Care for Stitches
Most stitches are left in place for three to fourteen days. Our physicians may instruct to clean the wound after a day or two. He or she might also advise you to apply an antibiotic cream to prevent an infection. If the wound becomes red, hot, or inflamed, or if the stitches begin to come out, you’ll need to return to see your doctor.
If you have a deep wound that needs medical attention, come on over to Trinity Medical Center. We will treat your wound to prevent further problems with infection, scarring, and possibly loss of motion.