A deep wound can be caused by any sharp object hitting the skin, including a trivial element such as the edge of a wall or a tool designed for this purpose, such as a knife. Whatever the cause, however, a deep cut is painful, bleeds a lot, and requires immediate medical attention. If you or someone in your company has such an injury, you must first assess the severity of the injury and treat it accordingly.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Assess the Injury
Step 1. Check the cut
If you can see fatty tissue, muscle or bone through the opening, or if the wound is large with jagged edges, stitches will most likely be needed. If in doubt, you should consult a doctor or nurse.
- The signs that indicate the need for rapid intervention are the following or a combination thereof: extreme pain, profuse bleeding, signs of shock (eg feeling cold, sweaty skin, paleness).
- You can tell that the lesion has passed the epidermal layers if you can see fat (a lumpy yellow-brown tissue), muscle (dark red fibrous tissue), or bone (a hard, white-brown surface).
- If the cut does not go all the way through the skin, no stitches are needed and you can take care of them at home.
Step 2. Prepare the wound and then go to the emergency room
If you believe the cut needs emergency care, there are a couple of things you can do before rushing to the hospital. Quickly rinse the area to remove any dirt and debris. Then, apply some pressure with a clean cloth or bandage and keep the bandage on for the duration of the ride to the emergency room.
- The wound will be cleaned again by the doctor to make sure it is fully disinfected.
- If the cut is very large and bleeds heavily, wrap the area with a towel or bandage and continue applying pressure.
Step 3. Do not try to clean or close the wound with household products
Do not remove any foreign bodies that do not come out easily with washing. You could further damage the tissues if you attempt to remove glass fragments or other debris stuck in the wound. Also, do not try to sew or glue the edges of the cut yourself, as items in the house could be contaminated, trigger infections, or prevent scarring. Do not use denatured alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine tincture to clean the wound, as they slow healing.
Step 4. Go to the hospital safely
Avoid driving if possible, as it could be dangerous. If you are alone and bleeding profusely, then you should call an ambulance.
Part 2 of 4: Treating the Minor Cuts
Step 1. Clean the wound
Wash the injured area with soap and water for at least 5-10 minutes. Any type of soap and clean water is fine. Studies have shown that using an antibacterial soap or an antiseptic solution with hydrogen peroxide does not lead to additional benefits for a general cleanse.
The determining factor is abundant irrigation of the lesion. If there are traces of dirt, glass or another foreign body that does not come out easily, or the cut was caused by a dirty, rusty object or an animal bite, then go to the emergency room immediately
Step 2. Apply pressure to stop bleeding
Once the cut is clean, press on the area with a clean cloth or bandage for at least 15 minutes. You can also slow the bleeding by lifting the limb higher than the heart.
If the wound continues to bleed despite this surgery, call for help
Step 3. Treat the wound
Smear a thin layer of antibiotic ointment and cover the cut with a bandage or gauze. Try to keep the area dry and clean by changing the dressing 1-2 times a day or until the wound has healed.
Step 4. Watch out for infections
If you notice any signs of this complication, call your doctor. Common symptoms are warmth and redness around the wound site, pus and other secretions, increased pain or fever.
Part 3 of 4: Treating a Serious Deep Cut
Step 1. Call an ambulance or ask someone to do it for you
It is important that the medical staff deal with the wound as soon as possible. If you and the injured person are alone, then you will need to get the severe bleeding under control before you go for help.
Step 2. Wear gloves if you are taking care of someone else
It is essential to place a barrier between your body and the blood of others. Latex gloves protect you from blood-borne diseases.
Step 3. Check the severity of the injury and how the person reacts to the injury
Remember to monitor the victim's breathing and circulation. Ask her to lie down or sit down if possible so that she can rest and relax.
Be sure of the nature of the problem. Remove clothing, if necessary, to be able to see the cut
Step 4. Check if it is a life-threatening injury
If there is profuse bleeding from an arm or leg, ask the person to lift the limb and hold it in this position until the bleeding stops.
- Remember that shock can also lead to death. If you find that the victim is in shock, try to keep him warm and calm as much as possible.
- Do not take out any foreign bodies, such as a shard of glass, unless you have been trained for these situations; if the object acts as a "plug", you could aggravate the bleeding.
Step 5. Treat the deep cut
Place clean, non-wadding gauze over the cut. Apply firm pressure right on the wound.
You can make a compression bandage from clothing, fabric, or rags if you don't have a first aid bandage. If you have one, wrap the compression dressing around the wound. Don't over tighten; make sure you can put two fingers under the bandage
Step 6. If blood is oozing from the first dressing, add another layer of gauze
Do not try to remove the existing one otherwise it "disturbs" the wound.
Leave the first dressing where it is. This way you do not tear the clots that have already formed and avoid worsening the bleeding
Step 7. Monitor breathing and blood circulation
Calm the victim until help arrives (if the cut is severe) or until the bleeding has stopped (in less severe cases). An ambulance should be called when the cut is very deep or the bleeding does not subside.
Step 8. Get additional medical attention
For example, if the wound is deep or dirty, a tetanus injection is required. Tetanus is a very serious bacterial infection that can lead to paralysis and death if left untreated. Most people get vaccinated and get periodic boosters as a normal routine of medical checkups every few years.
If you have exposed yourself to the bacterium through a dirty or rusty object that injured you, then you must receive a vaccine booster to avoid complications. Call your doctor if you realize you need them
Part 4 of 4: Taking Care of Stitches and Suture Agrafes
Step 1. Let the doctor close a severe wound with sutures or metal staples (agrafes)
If the cut is deep, wide, or has jagged edges, then your doctor may decide to suture it to ensure proper healing. In this case, he will inject a local anesthetic drug around the cut before proceeding with the suture. Once the wound closure process is complete, the area will be medicated and covered with a bandage or gauze.
- A sterile surgical needle is used to apply the stitches and a special thread that holds the flaps together. The thread could be of absorbable material, that is, that melts over time, or non-absorbable and will have to be removed once the wound has healed.
- The agrafes used on cuts are special surgical staples that perform the same function as the stitches and must be removed after healing, because they are not absorbed by the body.
Step 2. Take care of the affected area
You must do everything in your power to make sure the stitches or agrafes do their job and the wound can heal without any infection. Here's how to proceed:
- Make sure the suture stays clean and covered with a bandage for several days. Your doctor will tell you what the waiting times are. However, this usually takes 1-3 days, depending on the type of suture used and the size of the lesion.
- When you can get the cut wet, wash it gently with soap and water while showering. Do not immerse the area under water, for example in a bathtub or swimming pool. Excess water slows the healing process and could cause an infection.
- After washing the suture, pat it dry and apply antibiotic ointment. Eventually cover it with a bandage or gauze, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Step 3. Avoid activities or sports that can cause injury to the wound for at least 1-2 weeks
The doctor will give you all the necessary instructions. Stitches can break causing the cut to open again. If this happens, go back to the doctor right away.
Also call the doctor if you notice signs of infection (fever, redness, swelling, purulent discharge)
Step 4. Once the injury has healed you must return to the doctor's office
Non-absorbable spots and agrafes are typically removed after 5-14 days and following this you will need to continue to protect the scar from the sun by using sunscreen or covering it with clothing. Ask your doctor which ointment or cream you should use to promote complete healing.
