Question 1

i have a wound which is 1 cm wide and 5 mm deep near my big toe on the left leg. it was cleaned and dressed tightly. will it heal without stitches?

Accepted Answer

Yes: In clean fresh wounds, we often stitch/suture incision together to minimize scarring. In older dirty wounds, we often leave it open to air (no stitches/sutures) to allow healing from within. This is more likely to cause scarring but we don't want close dirty old wounds out of fear of trapping bacteria in wound. So yes, wounds can heal w/o sutures but will take time &amp; most likely end w/scar.

Question 2

how to take care of a 1/4 inch wide and deep cut without stitches? it's been 3 days & the wider side of the cut isn't healed yet.

Accepted Answer

Careful cleaning: The greatest risk to wound healing at this stage is infection, and so with that in mind you must gently wash the wound at least daily with soap and water and keep it dressed throughout the day. Watch for thick drainage from the wound, worsening pain, or hot red swelling. There are special tape bandages made (e.g. steri-strips) which can hold the wound edges together without stitches if you wish.

Question 3

can a 1/4 inch deep/wide cut heal without stitches? bleeding stopped after 5-7 mins and it's been 3 days but part of the cut hasn't healed yet.

Accepted Answer

Laceration: after three days of not being stitched the chance of infection I'd too great to stitch it now.  It will heal on its own bug it will take longer than it would have with stitches.  We like to stitch lacerations within 24 hours.

Question 4

will i need stitches on a deep but not wide hand cut?

Accepted Answer

Wound: That depends. In most instances wounds that have open longer periods of time, are highly contaminated with soil or water from a lake or stream have to be thoroughly cleansed and evaluated prior to being closed. If it cannot then it can heal from inside out.

Question 5

i got stitched a 3 cm deep wound 1 month and a half ago, and i still feel  num a small area close to the scar. is that common?

Accepted Answer

Post injury Numbness: Yes, this is common. Nerves can be damaged during trauma.  There is now some evidence that over a one year period the nerve may heal or grow back. It can be frustrating waiting for this, but there is nothing but the advice to let some more time pass.

Question 6

my child fell dancing on concrete and busted her chin open. it is wide but not deep. should i take her in to get stitches or should i clean, bandage, and watch it?

Accepted Answer

: Cuts longer than 3/4 inches, that gape or show fat under the skin, continue to bleed or do not close easily are most likely to need stitches. Smaller cuts that are cleaned out well can be covered with antibiotic ointment and held tight with a butterfly bandage. If the kid sleeps on her face I would consider stitches a good idea, as that position could interfere with healing without them.

Question 7

should my boyfriend have a deep wound- hole like need immediate medical attention? my boyfriend cut his hand with a scraper-like tool at work yesterday and i am afraid his cut might need stitches, however, we do not have any medical insurance and therefor

Accepted Answer

Oh : Oh my.  It sounds like he has two separate injuries.  The first issue is that he cut his hand deeply enough that you are concerned that he might need stiches. Usually, sutures are placed within 12 hours of an injury due to concerns about possible infection. Cuts to the hand can be quite serious, because of the way the hand is compartmentalized. An infection can spread quickly in the hand and cause loss of function. 
   The second injury is a deep  arm puncture wound contaminated by battery acid. You have done what is termed bathroom surgery to cut away blacked skin but could only debride to a certain level. 
  His tetanus status is unknown. 
  Signs of infection include: redness, swelling, drainage, red streaks, fever, warmth. Your boyfriend has two high risk injuries and uknown tetanus status. I really think that he needs medical attention. If he doesn't get evaluated and develops serious complications the cost physically and financially could be much greater.

Question 8

an open wound on my for arm, its pretty deep and it was self inflicted, it needs stitches but i don't want to go to the hospital. what should i ?

Accepted Answer

Go: Get help both for the arm wound but more importantly to get help on why you would hurt yourself...See talk to your family and/or get immediate medical help.

Question 9

deep cut, joint of my finger, it was glued 10 days ago, bandage off, wound had been reopened, now scarring across the gap, too late for stitches? scar

Accepted Answer

Old cut: Go to hand surgeon wound can be closed late and can heal safely without stitches but you need an expert eval to choose best way.

Question 10

need stitches(roughly)?
parallel cut above the nail on finger. 1/4" wide,  ~1/4" deep. opens w/ lil blood when moved. no bone, only sore.

Accepted Answer

Need exam: Probably need a clear, semipermeable, membrane to hold it closed. Bioclusive works very well.

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Doctor answers about:

What do they do if a wound is too deep or too wide to stitch

A member asked:

I have a wound which is 1 cm wide and 5 mm deep near my big toe on the left leg. it was cleaned and dressed tightly. will it heal without stitches?

A member asked:

How to take care of a 1/4 inch wide and deep cut without stitches? it's been 3 days & the wider side of the cut isn't healed yet.

A member asked:

Can a 1/4 inch deep/wide cut heal without stitches? bleeding stopped after 5-7 mins and it's been 3 days but part of the cut hasn't healed yet.

A member asked:

Will i need stitches on a deep but not wide hand cut?

A member asked:

I got stitched a 3 cm deep wound 1 month and a half ago, and i still feel num a small area close to the scar. is that common?

A member asked:

My child fell dancing on concrete and busted her chin open. it is wide but not deep. should i take her in to get stitches or should i clean, bandage, and watch it?

A member asked:

Should my boyfriend have a deep wound- hole like need immediate medical attention? my boyfriend cut his hand with a scraper-like tool at work yesterday and i am afraid his cut might need stitches, however, we do not have any medical insurance and therefor

A member asked:

An open wound on my for arm, its pretty deep and it was self inflicted, it needs stitches but i don't want to go to the hospital. what should i ?

A member asked:

Deep cut, joint of my finger, it was glued 10 days ago, bandage off, wound had been reopened, now scarring across the gap, too late for stitches? scar

A member asked:

Need stitches(roughly)? parallel cut above the nail on finger. 1/4" wide, ~1/4" deep. opens w/ lil blood when moved. no bone, only sore.

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