Finger cut when do i need stitches

Most of all, remain calm and drive safely. If your cut or scrape is very minor — not deep or contaminated — treat it at home by irrigating it as suggested above, then dress it with a topical antibiotic and a bandage. Both doctors recommend keeping the area clean and reapplying antibiotic ointment and a bandage several times a day when caring for a minor cut at home.

Keep a close eye on your wound to monitor healing. If you become concerned, visit your doctor right away. Get tips on how to tell whether a cut or wound requires a visit to the ER or urgent care center. And find out how to prepare for an ER visit.

Learn more about vaccine availability. Short answer, yes. The skin should close up with a small amount of pressure. As stated above, this helps the blood turn to glue. If you do, you have gone quite deep. Joints, as you know, have less insulation. They have less because insulation prevents free movement.

The fingers, elbows, and knees have less skin coverage than most solid bones. Most cuts or injuries in these places need a medical examination at the very least.

This can be a sign of something being in the early stages of infection. Early treatment is essential to avoid common complications, such as infection. As you are inspecting the wound in step 3 above , look for these signs that might indicate a need for stitches. Here are a few indications that you may need stitches:.

Not sure about the severity of your cut or injury? Give yourself peace of mind by visiting with our medical team about your treatment options. We will assess your injury and provide recommendations about potential treatments, such as stitches or an adhesive closure.

Professional medical care is an effective and important step in reducing the risk of infection and other complications. You should also see a GP if you think the cut is not healing properly, or may be showing signs of infection.

Common signs of infection include:. The cut may need to be cleaned or stitched, and you may be given antibiotics. Bleeding from small cuts and grazes can be controlled by applying pressure to the cut using a clean, non-fluffy pad preferably a sterile dressing, if you have one. You should also raise the injured body part above the level of the heart so the bleeding slows down and stops.