Stitches

[st33lr4t]

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[Cartuni]

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

[Grasshopper Green]

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.

[st33lr4t]

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[f6twister]

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.

If you are not sure whether or not stitches are needed, here are some guidelines:

Check to see if the cut is gaping open. If it is not, then gently tug on it to see if it gapes open. If it does, than it probably will need to be closed.

Any cut that is gaping open with visible dark red muscle or yellowish fat should probably be closed, even if it is small.

Any cut that is gaping and is larger than ½ cm (or 3/16 of an inch) should probably be closed. Get a ruler and measure it if you are not sure. Cuts smaller than this may not require closure, but if they are gaping, than it is best to have a doctor check out the cut.

Small cuts that are not gaping may not require actual stitches, but may still benefit from steri-strips.

Any cut, even a small one, that is gaping open on the face should be seen by a doctor because of the risk of a scar.

There are two main reasons to get stitches:1. To stop active bleeding. If a cut is large and continues to bleed, then closing it is obviously beneficial. Most cuts, however, will stop bleeding after a while if pressure is applied with a towel or cloth.2. For cosmetic reasons. Cuts on the face obviously will have a better cosmetic outcome if they are closed. However, for a small cut on a body part where you are not concerned about a scar, then closing it is not as important. Decide if the trauma of doing stitches will be worth it.