what happens to a cut that needs stitches, but you don't get them?

[Melrose]

I had got a slice on the inside of my calf when I was a teenager, the cut was about 1.5" long and was deep (not horribly deep but could have had stitches had I gone to the doctor). It took a while but it healed up fine and I don't have a scar. Then again, I never scar...

It's a good idea to put peroxide in a cut at first to clean it, but once you've done that unless you get it dirty again it's almost pointless. You need things that will help healing.

Lavender oil is very good for that sort of thing but there are other generics you can pick up also. If it's open, you'll want to keep it covered for a while at first.

 

[spaceboots06]

No offense , but thats why i hate Rottweiler's especially the untrained ones.

Me too; mine was a fat, lovable female dog. It just happened to jump into my face for reasons I can't even remember why.

 

[Hmac]

I don't mean anything by this, but what do you know about it? (Honest question, you a doc or something?)

Yes, I'm a surgeon.

 

[pelicanflip]

When I was in studio last year, I was working on my project with a utility blade. I slipped, and the blade slammed into my thumb pretty badly.

Went to the doctor, didn't get stitches, got a liquid bandage instead. Healed up pretty nicely.

Just use warm water and soap, and slap a bandage on it, maybe some gauze if u really need it. keep fresh bandages, and pretty soon, all shall be well.

 

[Zombie Acorn]

Doesn't look bad or deep enough to get stitches. Its going to take ~2-3 weeks to heal up at least though probably longer.

 

[Angelus]

I agree with Hmac.
It will have to heal by secondary intention as you don't have sutures.
Just keep it clean and if you notice that the digit is becoming very warm,tender or develops an extending rash go see a doctor to rule out cellulitis.
Other than that it will take time.
I still think you should have visited a doctor initially but that being said you may not have had stitches.

In my Emergency Department, we tend not to close animal lacerations to the hands and feet initially

 

[conch575]

You might get a gaping scar or even worse, an infection.

 

[emt1]

Uh, rabies can incubate for several YEARS.

You're right. OP needs to be seen by a doctor ASAP.

 

[twoodcc]

You might get a gaping scar or even worse, an infection.

yeah, i just hope i keep it clean enough so i don't get an infection

You're right. OP needs to be seen by a doctor ASAP.

the dog has had a rabies shot. just not sure exactly how long ago. but fairly recent (i took him myself)

 

[Hmac]

yeah, i just hope i keep it clean enough so i don't get an infection



the dog has had a rabies shot. just not sure exactly how long ago. but fairly recent (i took him myself)

You won't get an infection at this point. As to rabies if your dog is doing fine at this point and shows no sign of rabies, you'll be fine.

 

[juanm]

I was cutting an avocado. You know how when you split the avocado the seed comes out in one half, and you "chop" the knife into the seed to get the seed out?

Well, on this particular night, the knife went right through the seed, through the edge of the avocado, and through about half of my thumb, hitting the bone. It bled like I didn't think it would ever quit.

I ended up putting on one of those clear rubber bandages that look like a "second skin" and leaving it there for about two weeks. Why? Because I took it off after a week and it was still bleeding.

That was about eight years ago. The scar is still visible, and it took about two months for the nerves to grow back, but otherwise my thumb is just fine.

My mother did pretty much the same thing, only the sharp knife slipped on the seed surface and went into her hand.
She went to hospital, and learnt the lesson: use a spoon, people!!!