About this topic
A laceration is a cut on your skin. It is most often caused by a sharp object like a knife blade, glass, or from other things with sharp edges. Sometimes, this kind of cut is shallow. Other times, it goes deep into the skin and muscles. Before the cut can be closed, it must be cleaned. Closing the wound is called a laceration repair. ‚
Stitches are also called sutures. They are used to close a skin cut or wound. They are often used for cuts that are deep or bleeding. Stitches work well for cuts with jagged edges, or those that have fat or muscle showing. Stitches most often makes the skin heal faster and with less scarring. The skin is sewn together with special kinds of thread. Stitches are used to fix cuts on the outside of the skin. They are also used to fix cuts made in surgery and cuts inside the body. Stitches are also used to help control bleeding. Some stitches need to be taken out. Others melt away or dissolve on their own as the wound heals. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take your drugs as ordered by doctor.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your wound. Ask your doctor:
- When you should change your bandages. Your doctor may tell you to keep your wound covered to protect it from dirt and germs until it is fully healed. You may use an antibiotic skin ointment, unless your doctor tells you differently.
- When you may take a bath or shower. Most often the doctor will tell you to keep your wound clean and dry for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, you can gently wash the wound with soap and water or take a shower unless your doctor tells you to care for your wound differently.
- 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
- Do not try to remove stitches yourself.
- Do not rub the wound.
- Always wash your hands before and after touching the wound.
- Protect the stitches area from getting hit or bumped as this could reopen the wound.
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.
- If you have stitches that do not dissolve on their own, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 5 to 10 days.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent or fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
- Limit your activity until your wound is fully healed. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to return to sports. Be sure to ask your doctor before you do any activities.
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Poor healing
- Scarring
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of would infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher; chills; swelling, redness, or warmth around the wound; pain at the cut site that does not go away; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- 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 procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my wound.
- I can tell you if my stitches dissolve or need to be removed by the doctor.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/staying-healthy/first-aid/first-aid-cuts-scrapes-and-stitches.printerview.all.html ‚
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 providers 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 ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚