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 care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you understand everything the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. 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
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
What problems could happen?
- Infection of the bloodstream or bone
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Wound opens up
- More redness, drainage, warmth, or odor at the cut site
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, or my wound will not heal.
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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Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
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. ‚