How bad does a cut need to be to go to A&E?

[holidaysc]

DS has cut himself, while playing out with his friends (private school, so summer holidays) and I'm not sure if A&E is needed. Thanks xx

[TheSpottedZebra]

Minor injuries clinic?

[nanetterose]

Is your doctor close?
I'd try there first.

[Sirzy]

Does it stop bleeding with a plaster? Is it very deep?

What did he cut it on?

You haven't really given much information for anyone to help much

[holidaysc]

He won't really let me properly look at it, so I can't properly see how deep, but I think it's quite nasty. Still bleeding. Sorry, it's only because I was wondering if there was a general answer

[acasualobserver]

Where's the cut? How deep? Can you see fat? Bone? How much is it bleeding? Is the wound clean?

[holidaysc]

You know those metal signs that say no ball games? It was a broken one of those as he climbed the tree next to it, sigh...

[acasualobserver]

Sorry X-post. If you can't examine the wound, take him to a doctor.

[Sirzy]

You need to make him show you so you can properly look at it, you can't do anything without seeing it and if he won't show you no point going to a doctor really!

How old is he?

[LIZS]

If it is cut open or won't stop bleeding then a & e. It might need a good clean too.

[holidaysc]

It does look nasty, I just can't really pull it apart.

He's 8.

[Birdsgottafly]

How old is he, he might need a Tetanus boost?

Let him calm down and if you have a minor injuries/child walk in, let them have a look, clean it and dress it.

[Coulddowithanap]

Do you have a minor injuries clinic you could take him to?

(Our local hospital is minor injuries only and have to go to the next town for a&e)

[TheSpottedZebra]

I'd go straight to minor injuries then. It's not a GP thing, and you'd be titting about trying to get an appointment.
And minor injuries can send you to A & E if needed.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

I would go to minor injuries because he has cut himself on a broken metal sign outside so it might need a proper clean out and and he could need a tetanus booster.

[TheNaze73]

Go with your gut. If it's worrying you, go

[StarryIllusion]

I'd take him for a tetanus if nothing else. Those things are pretty bad for getting infections from.

[WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant]

Rinse the cut under clean water.
Pat dry.
Cover with clean dressing and apply pressure for at least 2 minutes.

If it stops bleeding and looks clean, just keep an eye on it.

If it won't stop bleeding after 2 minutes of pressure, then minor injuries might need to stitch or tape it.

[eyebrowsonfleek]

My GP surgery has a nurse who will patch them up or send to A&E if necessary.

I'm a single parent and need the reassurance. I got it wrong once and Ds has a scar so better safe than sorry.

[Ifailed]

I got it wrong once and Ds has a scar so better safe than sorry. a deep cut will scar regardless whether you get medical care or not, but proper care will minimise it.

[DRDBP]

Most A&E now have minor injuries and it's assessed there. Doc will send you there if it needs packing and/or stitches, so save yourself two trip.

[Bottomchops]

I always go to a pharmacist if unsure.

[Fomalhaut]

It needs looking at if he's cut it on an outdoor metal object - there's a risk of infection and he'll likely need a tetanus shot.

Local minor injuries unit

[Sidge]

He won't need a tetanus booster if he had his preschool jabs.

It might need cleaning and dressing though, or glue or sutures if deep. Also depends where the cut is.

I'd go to a minor injuries unit if you have one nearby. He'll need to let them assess it though so prepare him for having to show it to someone!

[IJustLostTheGame]

I'd go to minor injuries, even if they do those stick on plaster strip things they'll probably do it so it scars neatly.
unlike the ones on my arm. I really should have gone to A&E but didn't

[flanjabelle]

Give 111 a call and they will point you in the right direction op.

Where on his body is the cut?