When Your Cut Needs Medical Care

It’s unlikely that you’ll go through life without a few cuts and scrapes. While many people get minor cuts from falls or accidents around the house that don’t need attention, there may come a time when a cut is more serious than you realize.

At Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic, the experienced medical team offers care for a variety of minor injuries, including cuts and abrasions on a walk-in basis. They offer some insight into when you should head to the clinic for treatment and when you can treat your injury at home.

How to assess your cut

There are several factors you need to consider when you sustain a cut about whether or not it needs medical attention. The team at Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic recommend using the following assessment tips for evaluating your cut:

Cut size

You may need stitches and other medical treatment for any cut that’s longer than a half of an inch. You should also evaluate how deep the cut is. If you see any fatty tissue or bone, or if the cut is gaping open, you should visit the Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic as soon as possible for a thorough evaluation.

Cut location

There are a number of areas on your body where a cut requires medical attention. If you cut an area of skin on a joint, you likely will need stitches. Otherwise, every time you move your joint, you’re likely to reopen the wound and affect the healing processes.

If you have a cut on delicate areas of your face, such as around your eyes, or cut an area near your genitals, schedule an appointment or stop by Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic for immediate attention.

Blood amounts

After you incur a cut, you should apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean towel. Any cut that continues to bleed for longer than 10 minutes needs medical care.

If you have cut where blood spurts out, it can be an indication you hit an artery, which requires emergency treatment to reduce your risk for complications.

Other symptoms

In addition to bleeding, cuts can cause other symptoms that need medical attention. If you notice any redness or red streaks that branch out from your wound, visit Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic for an evaluation. 

You should also seek treatment if you have:

• Pain
• Warmth
• Discharge
• Inflammation

If you develop a fever after a cut, it may be an early warning sign that an infection has started.

Wound cause

Even if your injury seems minor, it’s also important to consider how you cut yourself. For instance, if you cut your skin open on a rusted nail or your cut stems from an animal bite, you should also consult with a medical professional right away.

Dog bites and rusted nails can lead to serious infections and may require treatment with antibiotics, immunizations against tetanus, or other medications. If you get a cut from falling in rocks or other debris, you may need a physician to thoroughly clean the wound and reduce your risk for infection and other complications.

When it comes to any injury to your skin, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic is fully equipped with wound services to properly care for your cut and ensure your skin heals properly.

For help with a bleeding or infected cut, call the Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic office nearest you, visit in person, or schedule an evaluation online today.