How to Tell If You Need Stitches

Travis: It’s time for everyday health from A to Z and today’s letter is S which stands for stitches. So if you’re not sure of a stitch really necessary, here’s what you need to know. So if you have a cut and its gaping open and probably need to be close with stitches. And if the cut shows visible red muscle or yellowish fat you probably need stitches. Now if the gaping is larger than half a centimeter you also probably need stitches. And you know what it’s a simple as giving a ruler to measure and I can tell you this from my own experience. If you’re really worried you probably need stitches. Male: It doesn’t hurt. Female: Exactly! If it’s not keeping though and it’s smaller then you may be able to get away with stereo-strips. And this are little adhesive strips that you can put on, these are actually extremely strong. We actually use this sometimes with c- sections. The stereo-strips if it’s not a gaping wound and it’s a small one you can actually, that doesn’t requires stitches, you can actually use stereo-strips and they work very well. You want to keep it dry for at least 48 hours and if you want to keep from scabbing over, you may want to use an emollient that has antibiotic in it like an antibiotic ointment or something like that. But these are really, really good things if you don’t need stitches. Travis: And sometimes will stock this over stitches to reinforce scenario. Jim: If you have a wound that’s really bleeding, this is what you got to know. Find some kind of clean cloth and apply steady direct pressure to that wound. Hold it there for a few minutes and whatever, whether it’s a shirt, your body suit, finds something to apply the pressure. For a few minutes it should stop, if it doesn’t stop or if you see blood actually squirting out, pumping out then you have probably hit an artery or something, its time to go to ER. Travis: Is it true that our money suits have better clothing capabilities? Jim: Sure you do, this are the best ones. Andrew: Haven’t try that art yet, but if it’s a plastic surgeon I do have to mention facial cuts and wounds. And in general you made a good point, the face tends to bleed more, the scalp too. So that’s one thing that you have to be concern about and on the face there are certain things we call anatomical land marks. Even a small cut on the lip or on the rim of the ear or in the eye lids, even a small cut that’s probably something that you want to put a stitch in just so as it heals perfectly fine. Travis: And even a small cut can lead to an infection, we can oversize enough to keep those wounds clean. and if you want more information go to thedoctorstv.com or visit everydayhealth.com. Coming up, which ice cold beverage may actually give you out of your doctor’s waiting room? You guys want to find out? Alright well then stick with us.