Wound Care - when do cuts need stitches??

[Fallen_Half_Angel]

hey,
i cut yesterday on the top of my arm, its about 1cm wide and about an inch and a half long, its not especially deep, but i can see into it, and its gaping.
i dont know how its gonna heal, and do i need stitches? and what are steri strips?
thanks

[Sans Peur]

It sounds like it needs medical attention.I am unsure of what can be done because it is quite a while since you cut.
keep it clean.

steri strips that are made of a porous, non-woven backing coated with a pressure-sensitive, hypoallergenic adhesive and reinforced with polyester filaments for added strength. Reinforced Steri-Strip skin closures provide general wound support for increased tensile strength and finer wound edge approximation.

i hope a first aid advisor see's this thread because there was an article on cuts but they arent on the main site.

[jessye]

That would need stitches ideally although its been too long since you did it but you should still definitely get it looked at as it is much more prone to infection if its left gaping and might therefore not heal properly for a long time. Make an appointment with your practise nurse as soon as possible. Its nothing to be ashamed of. If not just make sure that you care for it and keep it clean but at the first hint of infection go straight to your GP.