Stitches
 

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In the future - go to the doctor! They can use a medical version of superglue if you can't take the needle. My dad just had a gash in his forehead glued after a nasty fall. It looked awful for a week, but when the scab fell off it looked great - better result than with stitches.

At this point, once it heals you could rub vitamin E lotion on it to reduce the scar. Hopefully there's a funny story about how you got this gash - scars can be good conversation starters :D

If its on you head..there probably is a pretty good chance that hair won't grow there. My sister had facial surgery after a car accident which resulted in cutting her scalp open. Hair doesn't grow on the incision now. The good thing is, unless you know where the incision is, someone wouldn't really notice her lack of hair...and she keeps hers short too.

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The cleaning will help keep the infection out but you may end up with a much bigger scar than you would have gotten with the stitches.

This information is from a web site for parents and injuries to kids but the information applies to all ages. You can find it here.