What to Do When You Have a Deep Cut

Most everyone experiences a fairly deep cut at some point. While cuts that aren’t bleeding heavily, run less than a ½-inch long, and don’t involve your face can often be managed at home and without the need for stitches, they still require proper care. Whether your deep cut only needs or necessitates medical support, the following steps can help ensure full healing and a lower risk of scarring and infection.

Our team of experts at Arundel Medical Group, Inc., in Glen Burnie, Maryland, is pleased to provide quality care for lacerations of all types and severities. We can also guide you toward the best home treatment methods.

Stop the bleeding

When you have a deep cut, stopping the bleeding is an important first step. To do so, apply direct pressure with a clean cloth, tissue, or gauze. Firmly press the material on the wound until the bleeding has slowed to a halt. Resist any urges to remove the material as it becomes blood-soaked, simply continuing to apply pressure. If the cut affects your leg or arm, try to raise that limb above your heart. This, too, will help reduce the bleeding.

Clean the cut

Once the bleeding has stopped, wash your hands then clean the laceration. This helps prevent harmful bacteria from getting trapped inside, which can increase the risks of infection. Wash the cut gently, using warm water and soap. Rinse away all of the soap or you’ll likely experience added irritation. 

Protect the cut

Deep cuts are especially vulnerable to additional injury, infection, and pain early on, so protection is important. To lower your risk of infection, apply an antibiotic cream or ointment to the cut, then cover it with a bandage. For ongoing protection, swap the bandage out for a new one daily for at least a few days until the tenderness has reduced significantly.

Seek medical care as needed

Any deep cut can benefit from professional care. At Arundel Medical Group, Inc, our experts repair and treat lacerations on-site in our office, whether you require stitches or not. Signs your cut may need our team’s care include:

• Injury to your face
• Derives from a human or animal bite
• Jagged or gaping open edges
• Numbness or red streaks
• Signs of infection, such as fever, lingering tenderness, redness, or discharge
• No tetanus shot within the past five years

Call 911 if the bleeding is severe, you suspect internal bleeding, or if the cut is located in your chest or abdomen. Seek emergency medical care if the bleeding won’t stop after 10 minutes of steady, firm pressure, or the blood spurts out of the cut as well.

To find out if your cut requires medical care or start treatment quickly, call Arundel Medical Group, Inc., or request an appointment on our website.