I cut myself should i go to the hospital

No matter how careful we are, scrapes and cuts are bound to happen. For very minor or shallow injuries, like paper cuts, simply clean the cut and apply a bandage, if necessary, to keep it clean.

If you believe you may need medical attention, seek it within six to eight hours of getting the injury. Your wound may need stitches or other medical treatment if it meets any of the following criteria:. Wash the wound well and stop the bleeding, then pinch the sides of the wound together. If the edges of the wound come together and it looks better, you may want to consider seeing your doctor for treatment.

If treatment may be needed, do not use an antiseptic until after a doctor has examined the wound. The types of wounds listed above usually need an evaluation by a doctor but may not always need to be closed by a doctor.

Blahd Jr. Gabica MD - Family Medicine. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. The open flame on the stove has likely gotten your forearm a few times. According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System a survey maintained by the Consumer Product Safety Commission , knife accidents at home led to hospital visits almost , times in In a sample of more than 8, of these cases, more than two-thirds of the injuries were to fingers.

And kitchens are far from the only only place where we can accidentally cut ourselves. In fact, cuts are one of the most common reasons people visit the emergency room. Keep an eye on the wound and watch for changes, as every cut carries a risk for infection. Signs of infection include:. If you are in a high-risk population e.

Seek medical advice if you notice anything suspicious or the cut is not healing properly. Get a tetanus shot. Make sure you have a tetanus booster shot every 10 years, as a general rule. If you get a cut, you want to make sure you had a tetanus shot within the last five years to reduce your risk of infection. If you are not sure about your risk for tetanus, consult a healthcare provider. Here's how to know if you should go to the emergency department or urgent care.

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