About this topic
A laceration is a cut on your skin. The doctor cleaned out your cut and then closed it with one of these ways. ‚
- Special skin glue that holds the wound edges together
- Strips of special adhesive tape, called steri-strips
- Doctors may use a special type of thread called stitches to close some wounds. Some stitches need to be taken out after the wound heals. Others melt away or dissolve as the wound heals.
- Special metal staples
- A combination of these methods
You may develop an infection even though your cut was cleaned. The skin around your cut may be red, raised, and hurt when you touch it. Pus may develop deep in the infection. The doctor may need to drain the pus. ‚
What are the causes?
Germs may cause an infection in your cut. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
You are more likely to have an infection if you are older or have diabetes. People who have a problem with their immune system or who have been in the hospital are also more likely to have an infection. ‚
What are the main signs?
Area around the cut is red, warm and sore to the touch. You may have a fever and there may be pus coming from the wound. ‚
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
The doctor will look at your wound and may take out any stitches that are in place. The doctor will clean the wound and may put special packing inside the cut. To learn about how serious the infection is, the doctor may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
You may need to have dressing changes 1 to 2 times each day as your wound heals. The doctor may order drugs to treat or prevent infection. Your doctor may give you a tetanus shot if needed. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent or fight an infection
What problems could happen?
- Infection of the bloodstream or bone
Where can I learn more?
Journal of the American Medical Association ‚
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/data/Journals/JAMA/4997/JPG1026.pdf ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-03-21 ‚
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This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚