What is Laceration?
A laceration is a tear in the skin which results from an injury. Most minor lacerations have minimal bleeding, minimal pain and no numbness or tingling at the site. If you can see any bones or tendons or there is excessive bleeding and pain, seek medical attention immediately.
If a laceration bleeds a great deal with no sign of stopping, it needs to be closed with stitches. You may also need stitches to keep the wound from becoming infected and to reduce the scarring that may develop after it has healed. If the wound is too old, stitching it may not be possible.
As Beredjiklian explains, “Some lacerations actually heal better without stitches. The healing time for a laceration depends on its location. For instance, a cut on the leg usually heals more slowly than one on the head. Stitches are usually removed within 5 days to 2 weeks. The cut will continue to heal for up to 6 months.” (Beredjiklian, pp. 539-530)
Signs and Symptoms
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of lacerations are increasing redness or heat from the wound, swelling, tenderness or frank pain or a yellow creamy, green or reddish-brownish pus-like discharge oozing from the wound. According to Phillips “Any of these alone or in combination suggests the possibility of infection. If you are not sure then come in and have the wound checked. A clear fluid or slightly blood-tinged, soft, yellow fluid is likely caused by the release of tissue fluids from the wound and generally does not indicate an infection. It can be ignored unless there are any other signs or symptoms suggesting an underlying wound infection. If infection is present medical attention is necessary.” (Phillips, pp. 142-148)
First Aid Measures of Lacerations
When there are minor lacerations usually there is no need of a doctor and the treatment can be taken care of at home................
