Laceration Care for Cuts and Wounds in Cincinnati, OH

A laceration, also known as a cut or wound, can easily be treated at an urgent care center. The first step in fixing a laceration is stopping the bleeding. After this is complete, the injury is thoroughly cleaned to remove all dirt and debris. Cool water and mild soap are used in the cleaning process, and the laceration is dried with a sterile cloth afterward.

Now that the laceration is clean and dry, antibiotic ointment is applied, and a sterile gauze bandage is secured with medical tape. If the laceration is quite deep, the physician will recommend stitches or staples. The healthcare provider will outline detailed instructions on how to care for your laceration and will inform you whether you’ll need to return to have your stitches removed. 

Overall, with the help of an urgent care doctor, lacerations are easy to manage. If you experience a laceration, our team of professionals can support you with comprehensive treatment and follow-up care.

The length of time it will take for your laceration to fully heal depends on its severity. For example, it usually takes around two weeks for a laceration to heal in the case of a minor cut. However, for deeper lacerations that require stitches, six to eight weeks of healing are typically necessary. 

The location of your laceration will also dictate how fast it’s likely to heal. Lacerations near joints, such as on the knees, elbows, or ankles, usually take longer to heal. This is because those parts of the body move frequently. When you receive your initial treatment, the doctor will provide you with a more precise timeline of how quickly your injury will heal.

To ensure speedy healing, it’s essential to follow the healthcare professional’s instructions. You should keep your laceration clean and dry to avoid infection and other complications. If you received treatment for a laceration and healing is taking longer than expected, it’s recommended to come in to have your progress evaluated.

Yes, some lacerations can heal on their own without stitches; however, this isn’t always the case. Whether you need stitches depends on how deep the laceration is and where it is located. If your laceration is quite deep or over a certain part of your body, your healthcare provider will strongly recommend stitches. Stitches promote faster healing, prevent scarring, and minimize the risk of bacteria entering the wound. 

In addition, stitches are necessary in certain cases. For example, if you sustained a deep laceration near the toes or fingers, stitches are needed to reduce blood loss and prevent complications such as a severed digit. It’s crucial to follow the physician’s advice on how to best treat and take care of your injury. Their expertise will ensure you heal up as quickly as possible with a reduced risk of complications.

If you don’t properly close a laceration, you will likely experience a tricky and long healing process. In addition, you put yourself at risk of various complications, such as:

• Infection – If you wait longer than a few hours to close the wound, your risk of infection significantly rises. Bacteria can enter the wound, get trapped inside, and cause a severe infection. 
• Scarring – While all wounds can cause some scarring, scars tend to be wider and more noticeable when stitches are needed but not used.
• Excess bleeding – Stitches promote the blood clotting process. If you don’t get stitches with a deep laceration, you will experience more bleeding.
• Slow healing – Receiving treatment for lacerations is crucial if you want your wounds to heal quickly.
• Loss of function – If poor healing occurs in a certain part of the body, such as over a joint, limited mobility, and decreased sensation can occur in that area.

In summary, there are several reasons why it is strongly urged that you visit an urgent care center if you experience a laceration. The professionals at Eastside Urgent Care are available seven days a week to provide you with the care you need when you need it most. For more information, contact us or book an appointment. We are conveniently located at 872 Ohio Pike Cincinnati, OH 45245. We serve patients from Cincinnati OH, Covedale OH, Delhi OH, St Bernard OH, Wilders KY, and Elmwood Place OH.