Treatment Options for Painful, Recurring Headaches

Posted on: 17 September 2018

Many people will experience times in life where they inadvertently cut themselves, and some of these cuts might be so deep or large that they require medical help. If you accidentally cut yourself, you should realize that there is a chance you might need stitches. While getting stitches is not always necessary with cuts, it can be helpful for deep, large cuts. Here are several things you should know about the importance of stitches and when you should visit a doctor to get them.

Signs That May Indicate You Should Get Stitches

After cutting yourself on an object, you should rinse it off with water and take a good look at it. If you see any of the following signs, you might need stitches:

1. The cut is really deep – Deep cuts typically require stitches more so than long cuts, so if your cut is deep, you should visit a doctor.
2. The cut is long – A long cut may also require stitches. This will typically depend on how long the cut is and on how wide it is.
3. You cannot close the skin – If you are not sure if the cut is long enough or wide enough to get stitches, try closing it up. In other words, pull the skin together to see if you can close the cut. If you cannot close it, you should have a doctor examine it.
4. The cut has debris in it – While you may not need stitches for a cut that has debris in it, you will still need medical help to clean the wound out thoroughly.
5. The cut is gushing blood – If there is blood gushing out of the cut that will not stop, you should have it examined.

These are some of the top signs that you may need stitches for your cut. If you are unsure and want to play it safe, you should probably visit a doctor just to have it examined.

Ways Stitches Help With Injuries

Stitches are made of nylon or silk in most cases, and doctors place them in the skin to hold it together. Before they do this, they will clean the wounds out, making sure they remove all particles of debris. Once they are finished cleaning a wound, they can stitch it closed with the nylon or silk thread. In many cases, the thread used for stitches will dissolve by itself, but you may still need to have a follow-up visit with the doctor to make sure it healed properly.

Stitches are very helpful for cuts, as they help the wounds heal better. They will leave less of a scar than if you had let the cut heal on your own, and there is a lower chance of developing an infection if you get stitches for a deep wound.

Consequences of Not Seeking Medical Help After Getting a Cut

Failing to get stitches when you need them can result in several problems. The first problem is that the skin may never close right when the wound heals. Secondly, you may develop a disease or infection, especially if you cut yourself on something rusty and have not been vaccinated against tetanus.

If you are not sure if your wound meets the conditions needed for stitches, you should still consider seeing a doctor. A doctor can help you decide if you should get stitches, and he or she can also help you clean the wound and bandage it up so that you can prevent developing an infection in your fresh wound. Contact a clinic that offers injury treatment services if you need more information or would like to schedule an appointment.