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Cut, Scrape, or Bruise

Is this your symptom?

Injuries to the skin anywhere on the body
Includes cuts, scratches, scrapes, bruises and swelling

Types of Skin Injury

Cuts, lacerations, gashes and tears. These are wounds that go through the skin to the fat tissue. Caused by a sharp object.
Scrapes, abrasions, scratches and floor burns. These are surface wounds that don't go all the way through the skin. Scrapes are common on the knees, elbows and palms.
Bruises. These are bleeding into the skin from damaged blood vessels. Caused by a blunt object or any injury, such as a sprain. They can occur without a cut or scrape.

When Sutures (Stitches) are Needed for Cuts

Any cut that is split open or gaping needs sutures. Paper sutures or staples can sometimes be used.
Cuts longer than ½ inch (12 mm) usually need sutures.
On the face, cuts longer than ¼ inch (6 mm) usually need to be seen. They often need closure with sutures or skin glue to avoid scarring.
Any open wound that may need sutures should be seen as soon as possible. Ideally, they should be checked and closed within 6 hours. Reason: to prevent wound infections. There is no cut-off, however, for treating open wounds.
Do not delay getting the wound cleaned and treated.

Cuts Versus Scratches: Helping You Decide

The skin is about ⅛ inch (3 mm) thick.
A cut (laceration) goes through the skin.
A scratch or scrape (wide scratch) doesn't go through the skin.
Cuts that gape open at rest or with movement (such as cuts over a joint, like the knee) need stitches to help them start to heal and prevent scarring.
Scrapes and scratches never need stitches, no matter how long they are. So this distinction is important.

When to Call for Cut, Scrape, or Bruise

When to Call for Cut, Scrape, or Bruise
Call 911 Now Major bleeding that can't be stopped Deep cut to chest, stomach, head, neck or genital area (such as with a knife) You think you have a life-threatening emergency Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Severe pain Dirt in the wound is not gone after 15 minutes of scrubbing (or unable to be cleaned) Skin loss from bad scrape goes very deep Loss of feeling or movement in the area of the injury or further down the limb if an arm or a leg Bad scrape covers large area A large amount of swelling and pain near the injury that happens right away Cut or scrape and no past tetanus shots You think you have a serious injury You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent	Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours Very large bruise after a minor injury (2 inches or wider, 5 cm or wider) Some bruises appear without any known injury Cut or scrape looks infected (redness, red streak or pus) Dirty cut or hard to clean and no tetanus shot for more than 5 years Clean cut and no tetanus shot in more than 10 years Dirty wound or a puncture wound and you have a weak immune system. Examples are: sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, diabetes, kidney problems. You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent Contact Doctor During Office Hours Doesn't heal by 10 days You have other questions or concerns	Self Care at Home Minor cut, scrape or bruise (minor bleeding that stops)

Call 911 Now

Major bleeding that can't be stopped
Deep cut to chest, stomach, head, neck or genital area (such as with a knife)
You think you have a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Severe pain
Dirt in the wound is not gone after 15 minutes of scrubbing (or unable to be cleaned)
Skin loss from bad scrape goes very deep
Loss of feeling or movement in the area of the injury or further down the limb if an arm or a leg
Bad scrape covers large area
A large amount of swelling and pain near the injury that happens right away
Cut or scrape and no past tetanus shots
You think you have a serious injury
You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

Very large bruise after a minor injury (2 inches or wider, 5 cm or wider)
Some bruises appear without any known injury
Cut or scrape looks infected (redness, red streak or pus)
Dirty cut or hard to clean and no tetanus shot for more than 5 years
Clean cut and no tetanus shot in more than 10 years
Dirty wound or a puncture wound and you have a weak immune system. Examples are: sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, diabetes, kidney problems.
You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

Doesn't heal by 10 days
You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Minor cut, scrape or bruise (minor bleeding that stops)

Care Advice for Minor Cut, Scrape or Bruise

Cuts, Scratches and Scrapes - Treatment:
- Use direct pressure to stop any bleeding. Do this for 10 minutes without taking the pressure off or until the bleeding stops.
- Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes. Try to rinse the cut under running water.
- Caution: never soak a wound that might need sutures (stitches). Reason: it may become more swollen and harder to close.
- Gently scrub out any dirt with a clean washcloth.
- Dry with a clean towel. Do not use cotton balls or tissue. They will stick to the wound.
- Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Then, cover it with a bandage (such as Band-Aid). Keep dry and change the dressing daily.
Liquid Skin Bandage for Minor Cuts and Scrapes:
- Liquid skin bandage seals wounds with a plastic coating. It lasts up to 1 week.
- Liquid skin bandage has several benefits compared to other bandages. Liquid bandage only needs to be put on once. It seals the wound and may promote faster healing and lower infection rates. Also, it's waterproof.
- Use for any small break in the skin. Examples are paper cuts, hangnails and cracks on the fingers or toes.
- Wash and dry the wound first. Then, put on the liquid skin. It comes with a brush or swab. It dries in less than a minute.
- You can get this product at a drugstore. There are many brands of liquid bandage. No prescription is needed.
Bruises - Treatment:
- Use a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a wet cloth. Put it on the bruise once for 20 minutes. This will help stop the bleeding.
- Caution: avoid frostbite by wrapping the ice pack in a cloth. Do not put ice directly onto the skin.
- After 48 hours, use a warm wet wash cloth. Do this for 10 minutes 3 times per day. This helps to disperse the blood which collected and created the bruise.
Pain Medicine:
- To help with the pain, take an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
- Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Ibuprofen works well for this type of pain.
- Use as needed, but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as listed on the package.
- If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.
Tetanus Shot:
- A tetanus shot booster may be needed for cuts and other open wounds.
- Check your vaccine records to see when you got the last one.
- For Dirty Cuts and Scrapes. If last tetanus shot was given more than 5 years ago, need a booster.
- For Clean Cuts. If last tetanus shot was given more than 10 years ago, need a booster.
- See your doctor for a booster during regular office hours or if you are not sure whether a shot is needed. It's safe to get one within 3 days or less.
What to Expect:
- Small cuts and scrapes heal up in less than a week.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Bleeding does not stop after using direct pressure to the cut
- Starts to look infected (pus, redness, swelling, increasing pain)
- Doesn't heal by 10 days
- You think you need to be seen
- You get worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

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