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how do you know when a cut needs stitches

4 replies

smurfgirl · 30/01/2008 21:55

easy question

i am ok btw

OP posts:
theyoungvisiter · 30/01/2008 22:10

if it's on me - when a limb is hanging off! Sorry, not very helpful, I would only get stitches for myself if it was on the face (to avoid scarring) or if I really couldn't stop the bleeding, but I am quite hardcore about that kind of thing. Or maybe just cowardly about hospitals, I'm not sure.

If it's on a child then I'd probably take them to A&E if it was on the skull or somewhere that would be hard to heal properly - just because of the risk of infection.

Sidge · 30/01/2008 22:14

When it's really gaping.

whomovedmychocolate · 30/01/2008 22:24

If the cut is not straight and the edges do not fit together easily, or if they are on a joint or somewhere that will open up with movement, it's worth getting it stitched. Also you want to make sure there is nothing in the wound - if there is, it needs opening up and cleaning and then you probably will need stitches.

If the wound is deep too you need to get advice because if you allow a deep wound to heal over the top, with bacteria in it, it can collapse and you end up with (a) a bloody great septic infection and (b) a shrunken pink scar patch which will not only hurt for ages but look nasty. I speak from experience. I had an exploding foot for six months that had to be packed daily with iodine soaked bandages.

smurfgirl · 30/01/2008 22:33

cheers

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