What are the treatment options for cuts and lacerations?

A clinician checks bleeding, depth, wound edges, sensation, movement, and possible damage to tendons, nerves, blood vessels, or bone. Dirt, glass, bites, crush injury, and delayed presentation can change the plan. A shallow wound with separated edges may need irrigation and a protective dressing. A deeper or gaping wound may need stitches, staples, adhesive strips, or medical skin adhesive. Some wounds are left open briefly if contamination or infection risk is a concern.

Wash your hands, apply steady pressure with clean gauze to control bleeding, and rinse a minor wound with clean running water. Cover it with a sterile dressing and keep the surrounding skin clean. Do not pour harsh chemicals into the wound or pull out an embedded object. Arrange assessment for a deep, gaping, dirty, bitten, or facial wound. A clinician may recommend wound care and dressing, wound suturing, or a tetanus vaccination based on the injury and your vaccination history.

Seek urgent medical help if bleeding continues despite firm pressure, blood is spurting, the wound is deep or widely open, or an object is embedded. Get prompt assessment for numbness, weakness, loss of movement, severe pain, a bite, or a wound involving the eye, face, hand, or genitals. Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever, or red streaks can indicate infection and needs medical review.

Ask whether the wound needs closure, how to change the dressing, when stitches or adhesive should be reviewed, and whether your tetanus protection is up to date. Ask which infection changes should prompt a return visit.