Have you cut yourself and the injury looks pretty bad? It is sometimes difficult to tell if an open wound needs stitches that could cause it to heal properly and reduce the scar. In case you have any doubts about this and want to avoid an unnecessary trip to the hospital, this tutorial offers you tips and methods to understand if your wound really needs medical intervention.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Reasons to See Your Doctor Immediately
Step 1. Try to stop the bleeding as much as possible
Place the injured part of the body above the level of the heart to reduce bleeding. Use a clean cloth or slightly damp kitchen paper and apply firm pressure to the wound for about 5 minutes. Then remove the cloth or paper to see if the cut continues to bleed.
- If the bleeding is uncontrollable, do nothing else and go to the hospital right away.
- If, on the other hand, the wound stops bleeding, read on.
Step 2. Check for foreign bodies inside the lesion
In this case it is very important to see a doctor immediately because there is a risk of contracting an infection, in addition to the fact that it will probably be necessary to put some stitches.
Do not try to remove the foreign object, as it sometimes helps to stop excessive bleeding; so it is best to wait until you are examined by the doctor
Step 3. Contact emergency services immediately if the cut was caused by a human or animal bite
These types of wounds put you at a high risk of infection and you will likely be given a vaccine as a preventative measure; therefore, regardless of the need for stitches or not, in this case you absolutely must go to the emergency room.
Step 4. Consider the wound area
If it is on the face, hands, mouth or genitals, you must go to a doctor, because in this case the cut needs stitches for aesthetic reasons and to heal properly.
Part 2 of 2: Knowing When Stitches Are Needed
Step 1. Why are points placed?
The suture serves several purposes. The main ones are:
- Close a wound that is too large that would otherwise not heal. Stitches allow you to join the edges of the cut to help it heal faster.
- Prevent infections. If you have a very large wound, closing it with sutures can minimize the risk of infection (very large open wounds are the main gateway for bacteria that can enter the body and infect it).
- Prevent or reduce scarring when the cut heals. This is even more important when the wound is located in a particularly delicate area of the body from an aesthetic point of view, such as the face.
Step 2. Assess the depth of the lesion
If it is larger than 6 mm, it is worth closing it with sutures. If it is deep enough to be able to see the fatty and yellow tissue underneath, or even bone, you should definitely go to the emergency room for proper care.
Step 3. Assess the width of the wound
Notice if the edges are close to each other or if they need to be pushed together to cover exposed fabrics. In the latter case, it is evident that the lesion requires stitches to heal. Stitches can speed up healing by bringing the flaps together until they touch.
Step 4. Pay attention to the wound site
If it is in a specific place on the body that is always in motion, the stitches are most likely needed, to prevent the injury from reopening due to the continuous strain of the skin due to the movements. For example, if the cut is on the legs or fingers (especially near the joints), it is advisable to close it with sutures, while if it is on the forehead this solution is not essential.
Step 5. Ask your doctor about tetanus medication
This vaccine lasts no longer than 10 years and requires periodic boosters. If you've been injured and it's been over 10 years since your last tetanus shot, then go to the hospital.
While you are in the hospital, your doctor will also consider suturing the wound
Advice
- If you are concerned about scar formation, you should go to the hospital to have the wound sutured, as this does not form very noticeable scar tissue and at the same time the wound heals properly.
- In case you are unsure whether or not your wound requires stitches and whether it should be referred for medical attention, always go to the emergency room to be sure.
Warnings
- Always go to the hospital if you can't control the bleeding or if the wound is badly contaminated.
- Always meet deadlines for vaccine and injections to avoid serious infections and illnesses.
