I got a pritty bad cut on my arm and I know it needs stiches but I did not get them. I got a kit that has some things to hold skin together and has bandages to go over them with medicated stuff on them. I just want to now if there is anything else I could do for it. and what are signs its not healing good?
2007-12-03 09:27:26 · 14 answers · asked by joslynn 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ First Aid
You should atleast try butterfly stiches... (You can buy them at the store) They are little strips that hold the skin together. If you see it starts getting inflamed (red around the wound) and tender that can be a sign of infection and you should see a doctor. A doctor WILL NOT give you stiches if it has been more then 24 hours sense you cut yourself and the bleeding has stopped. You will scar but after the wound heals you may want to try some scar cream, for the most part the scar cream semi works, it has a better chance on working on a fresh scar though.
To try and prevent infection you should gentally clean your wound every 4-5 hours! Expecially in the first few days. you can alway pour rubbing alcohol on it and dab it with gauze (do not use a towel or tissue cause fibers can get stuck in the wound and cause infection) If the wound continues to open and bleed you may need to see a doctor also.. Just keep a close eye on it and make sure you keep it covered and protected. I would recomment wrapping gauze around you whole arm and not just taping it on the wound this way you will maintain constant pressure and while your sleep there isnt a chance of the bandage coming off
2007-12-03 09:45:54 · answer #1 · answered by Katie-Bear 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have about 24 hours to get stitches, then it become too late. Your wound will heal by "secondary intention"--that is from the bottom up. It will take longer & probably be a bigger scar. Keep it clean, and apply a clean gauze dressing & antibiotic ointment every 24 hours Do not let it get wet & soggy & do not use bandaids.
Signs of infection include increasing pain at the site, oozing of a thick greenish yellow stuff (pus); angry red around the site, swelling, later fever and possibly red streaking from the site with swollen lymph nodes.
2007-12-03 12:14:26 · answer #2 · answered by Diane A 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I did the same thing. Keep it covered apply an anti-biotic. If didn't get stitches and its been 24 hours its too late to get stitches anyway. The worst you'll have is a noticable scar. But after it heals use Mederma everyday on the scar it will make it less noticble. This stuff really works. plus its #1 doctor recommended for scars.
2016-05-28 01:11:14 · answer #3 · answered by julianne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Butterfly stitches will hold a cut together and it should heal okay although it might make a bigger scar than if you'd had stitches. If it wasn't cleaned properly though it might get infected & you'll know that coz it will hurt and weep yellow stuff and may start to smell bad. Then you should go to a doctor to get it seen to. Why didn't you have stitches to start with?
2007-12-03 09:33:29 · answer #4 · answered by FC 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You did exactly the right thing. Frequently Doctors or emergency rooms use butterfly closures on cuts.
My son when he was young ran into things frequently putting small gashes on his face mostly. The first one we had stitched closed and after that I butterflied them closed.
The one with stitches left a scar and the ones I butterflied closed I cannot find on his face.
Use Neosporin or Bacitrin on it. My Husband just had cancer surgery on his scalp and we used Neosporin and it healed amazingly well.
2007-12-03 10:29:24 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had this problem. I did not want to go to the doctors and I waited and waited. My cut got infected, it covered by a non seethrough white foam(pus), it stung+itched, and wuz nasty. The next week I bought some gauze pad and tape, and neosporin,hydrogen peroxide. I cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide and then the neosporin to make it heal faster. Then buy steristrips they will help u keep your skin together but at night wrap you leg an take off the strips to air it out.
2007-12-03 09:34:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
all that will happen is itll take longer to heal and youll get a scar that lasts longer... no big deal. just dont pick at it and youll be fine. and if the scar really bothers you get some cream when its healed and put it on everynight till it goes away.
2007-12-03 10:17:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your cut will never heal correctly and whenever you hit that same spot it'll open right back up. Also it's possible that it gets infected. get stiches!
p.s. answer my question
2007-12-03 09:30:48 · answer #8 · answered by Digz 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The scar may be more ragged than if the margins of the cut were better approximated by sutures.
2007-12-03 09:32:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you afraid of getting the stetches or is this a money issue?? Go to your local walk in clinic and get proper treatment or county hospital!
2007-12-03 09:35:58 · answer #10 · answered by ~Just 1 good egg~ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋