If you cut your finger and don't get stitches but probably should have???

Question

What would happen?

My husband cut his finger with a weed eater blade...

Answer 1

if he cleans out the wound (maybe like with rubbing alcohol) and puts something on it like neosporene (so it doesn't get infected), and only if the wound isn't deep, and he puts like tape on it (that white first aid type tape, so that both sides of the wound is pulled together, like a replacement for stitches) he should be ok. He would have to change that dressing daily and make sure it's not oozing or is red or hot or it's swelling or there are blue stripes down his arm, or he's in pain because all of those would indicate that he needs "immediate" treatment at the emergency clinic. There they might break it open again, treat it, give him a shot and a prescription, give him a bill and send him home to recuperate.

The main thing is "how dirty was the weed eater blade" and what bacteria was on it (could be dangerous flesh eating bacterial and in hours he would have a huge problem. And also you don't know how deep it was or if any artery or ven was cut) Since no one knows what's in that bacteria in the soil people rush to the emergency room for safety reasons.

Answer 2

Chances are, if you were able to get it to stop bleeding in under 5 minutes, you were able to get it to stop bleeding by pressure, and you cannot see the tissue inside of the finger, then you didn't need stitches. The biggest thing I would worry about with a weed eater blade is infection. If your husband's tetanus shot is not up to date, he should see a doctor immediately to get one. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the cut I like Neosporin Plus Pain Relief as it takes the sting out. Or look for a generic ointment that says Triple Antibiotic Ointment Plus Pain Relief on it. Many of the triple antibiotic ointments contain Bacitrin, Polysporin, and Neosporin which will help it heal faster. Keep it clean and dry. Change the Band Aid and reapply the ointment 2 or 3 times a day, and after showering or getting the finger wet. If it swells or is causing intense pain, see a doctor immediately as you may have an infection.

Answer 3

Stitches really depend on how deep and what type of cut sustained. If he cut himself while the weed whacker was on, then it is likely a straight slice. Jagged cuts are usually more severe (and dirty).

A general rule of thumb is, if the cut is deep enough to see inside the tissue, or if there is profuse bleeding, it is ER time for some stitches. By "see inside" i mean not a surface scratch, I am talking maybe 1/4 of an inch deep or less, but you can spread the wound and see the interior walls of the tissue. ( You know what I am talking about.)

At the very least, you need to keep pressure on it. You should cleans the wound with clean water (NO SOAP OR PEROXIDE, these will damage the tissues, they are made for outside the skin only) and use a triple antibiotic cream like Neosporin (again, on the surface only).

Getting stiches vs. not getting sticthes, well: Without stitches you have greater chance of infection, longer healing times (can be 3-4 times longer), greater chance of scarring (I mean ugly wide scarring too) and the missed opportunity of having nurses and docs oggling your sweet wound and possibly calling you a moron! (sounds like fun, right?)

Answer 4

Stitches are used to hold skin and blood vessels and all other tissues together, after they have been severed.
That means that the gash is large enough where the "meat" is visible. I don't know how large your husband's cut is but if neither of you didn't see the immediate need to get stitches it most likely isn't that bad of a cut.
If it is a bad gash there is the risk of infection (which can become fatal) or, at very least, the cut will not heal properly.

Answer 5

if you could see bone go to an emergecy department or walk in clinic. You never want to take a chance of bone infection. make your decision quick after the cut starts healing you only have about a 24 hr window where a dr. can effectively stitch it.

Answer 6

You could risk infection, also it may not heal very well, he may have a bad scar there. Other then that he should be ok. Also you may want to find out his last tetnis shot if it wasnt in the last 5 years i would strongly sudgest him get one! My dad is old school and he puts duck tape on his cuts to hold them shut lol. So i know he will be ok as long as he keeps it clean and has had a tetnis shot!

Answer 7

It will take longer to heal and the scar could be bigger than normal ,Watch for infections as with out stitches there is more chance of some thing getting in to it

Answer 8

You're not upset today, are you? LOL (referring to your avatar) I know what's going on!!

As for your hubby... as long as he washed it with peroxide & applied a good amount of triple antibiotic cream & closed it up with a band aid... he should be ok.

HOWEVER... if it's really deep, he could have cut some muscle or something... which could result in loosing feeling, or worse case scenario the finger!

He really should get to the ER!!!
Sending a prayer for you & him!! :)

Answer 9

I worked at a hospital for 33 years and we learned one important lesson there...INFECTION KILLS...I had an infection once that was just horribly painful...more painful than the injury...if he's uninsured and worried about paying the charge...most hospitals have many different aenues for those that can't pay...by the way my dad ende up loosing his finger...he hated hospitals...go figure I'd end up working for one. Good luck!

Answer 10

Bandage it, clean it.
I should have gotten stitches when I cut my knee, but it just scabbed over. Worst is a scar.