The term laceration is the medical term for a cut. As we all know a cut can be large or small, can bleed barely at all or bleed profusely. Most lacerations can heal on their own with some care and without a doctor. If a laceration bleeds a great deal without any sign of stopping, then it needs to be closed with stitches by a doctor. Depending on the type of laceration, the healing time can vary from five days to six months. The following information is provided by the Health Square on the causes, signs, and care of a laceration.

Causes, Signs, and Symptoms

• Typically, a blow from a sharp object sustained in a fall or an accident.
• Symptoms include
  • bleeding
  • pain
  • numbness
  • swelling of the injured skin.

What You Should Do

• Keep your bandage clean and dry.
• If possible, keep the wound lifted above the level of your heart for 24 to 48 hours.
• Clean the wound gently 3 to 4 times a day using clean water, soap, and hydrogen peroxide
• Do not soak the wound or go swimming

If it Gets Worse...

Call your Doctor, or go to Student Health if:

• The wound keeps bleeding
• You develop a high temperature
• Pain in the wound gets worse and won't stop
• You have signs of an infections
  • redness
  • swelling
  • pus
  • a bad smell
  • red streaks leading from the wound
• You have numbness or swelling below the wound
• Cannot move the joint below the wound

HOME | ABOUT | CONTACT | LINKS