When Should I Seek Medical Care for a Skin Laceration?

What is a laceration?

A laceration is a wound that develops when your soft tissues are torn. This type of wound is usually jagged and irregularly shaped. Lacerations can range in severity considerably, from small cuts to larger, open wounds that require stitches or other medical treatment. 

Factors to consider before seeking treatment

Some of the factors you should consider when deciding whether to seek treatment for a laceration include:

• Depth of the laceration - Lacerations that stay close to the surface of the skin and don't invade deeper tissues are less likely to need professional treatment than those that pass through several layers of tissue. 
• Location of the laceration - Lacerations located near vital organs are more likely to require professional treatment, especially if they are deep. 
• Bleeding - Lacerations that bleed significantly are more likely to need medical care than those that don't bleed as much. If you cannot get the bleeding to stop, seek emergency care immediately. 
• Pain - If your laceration is causing significant pain, you should seek medical care. However, if you are able to control the pain at home, professional care may not be necessary. 
• Your health - Certain existing medical conditions, such as diabetes or bleeding disorders, make it important for you to seek medical care after any laceration. If you have one of these conditions, go to the emergency room or call your doctor for advice. 

What kind of care do you need?

If you decide that your laceration needs medical attention, you may wonder whether you should go to an urgent care facility or the emergency room. In general, this decision should be based on the severity of the wound. If you are not sure which option is best in your case, call your doctor or one of these facilities for specific guidance. In general, it is always best to err on the side of caution and go to the emergency room if you are not sure what to do. 

If you have a skin laceration and you think you may need treatment, please call or visit Walker Family Care today. 

Promo: A skin laceration can happen at any time. In some cases, skin lacerations may need medical treatment. Find out when you should seek medical attention for a skin laceration.