Wound Care Question - how do you know if you need stiches

goatscheese187 · 21-02-2008, 07:07 PM

ive been self harming for six years now and i have done some really deep cuts they have healed now, but some went down to the fatty tissue, should i have had stiches and would it have scared less. i have done a pretty deep cut recently but i scared to show anyone to see if it needs stiches.

x-dying-inside-x · 21-02-2008, 09:23 PM

it sounds like you should of had stiches.
how long ago did you make the last cuts?

chocostashchick · 21-02-2008, 09:55 PM

hey there are articles that are stickied here in the first aid forum that explain it, but basically if the edges of the wound are gaping and do not close, you most likely need stitches and should see your doc/got to a&e. also, if after applying compression etc the bleeding does not stop - but hopefully if you did not stop bleeding you would go to hospital anyway!! when in doubt, it is safest to go to the doctor's because better safe than sorry. that also holds true because most doctors will not suture a wound longer than a couple hours after it was made because of the risk of sealing in infection, and the longer the wound stays open to the air the longer chance it has to be exposed to bacteria and other lovely things.
look after yourself and keep safe hun. if this cut concerns you, please go to see your doctor asap. in general, our gut instincts are right and if this one worries you it probably needs medical attention.
xxxooo

Arianwen · 21-02-2008, 11:05 PM

I hope you get it sorted. If in doubt, always get it looked at if you can

Bitter_Angel · 22-02-2008, 02:06 AM

If you can see fat in a wound, its a good idea to get it checked out.
Anything which gapes or is open more thn 0.5cms should probably be stitched. Also if it bleeds for more than 10minutes under pressure it needs treatment as well. As said above, if in doub go anyway.

Take care
Kim

_plastic · 24-02-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

If you can see fat

How does it look like ?

Mike_AB · 24-02-2008, 03:40 PM

Ooh, ooh, I know this!
Cuts on the face should be stitched if more than 1/4 inch long
Cuts on the arms or legs should be stitched if you can see fat (yellow and looks a bit like tiny honeycombs) or if actual skin is lost. If you can pull the wound together relatively easily, steri-strips (strips of plaster) can be used, and are much easier.
Cuts on the chest or stomach should be stitched if the skin is split open and over half an inch long.
Hope this helps.