SKIN LACERATION |
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General Information
DEFINITION--A skin cut that has sharp or ragged edges. Athletic injuries are usually a combination of a contusion and a laceration, producing a bruised, jagged, irregular cut.
BODY PARTS INVOLVEDAny part of the body.
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SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Cut of any type in the skin. Athletic injuries frequently produce lacerations at such a steep angle that they create flaps of skin.
Pain at the lacerated site.
Bleeding. This is especially heavy in lacerations of the scalp and forehead.
Swelling, redness and tenderness around the laceration (sometimes).
CAUSESDirect blow with a sharp or blunt object (boxer's glove, shoe, spike, cleat or sharp edge of another player's equipment).
RISK INCREASES WITH
Contact sports.
Auto, motorcycle or bicycle racing.
Uneven terrain for a playing field.
HOW TO PREVENT
Wear protective padding and equipment appropriate for your sport.
Avoid playing on rough terrain when possible.
Use seat belts in automobiles.
WHAT TO EXPECT
APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE
Doctor's treatment, which may include cleaning and evening jagged edges as well as suturing (stitching) a laceration.
Self-care after treatment.
DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
X-rays of bones adjacent to the laceration to rule out fractures.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Fluid collection under the sutures.
Allergy to local anesthetics.
Wound infection due to bacterial contamination of the laceration. If infection complicates healing, fever, pain and edema (collection of fluid) around the incision will occur. The edema may cause the sutures to become tighter and break.
Scarring and disfigurement (sometimes).
PROBABLE OUTCOMELacerations usually heal in 2 weeks if they are sutured properly and do not become infected. Sutures are usually removed in about 10 days. Sutures for facial lacerations may be removed sooner. You will experience discomfort as the wound swells in the 6 to 20 hours after injury.
HOW TO TREAT
NOTE -- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.
FIRST AID
FOR BRISK BLEEDING:
Cover the injured area with a cloth or your bare hands, if no cloth is available.
Apply strong pressure directly to the laceration for 10 minutes while awaiting an ambulance or transportation to an emergency room.
If direct pressure doesn't control brisk bleeding and bleeding is from an arm or leg, use a LIGHT tourniquet. Make a tourniquet from a length of cloth or similar material. Wrap and tie the tourniquet around the extremity, above the wound. Place a stick or other rigid object between the cloth and the extremity. Twist the rigid object several times until the pressure is tight and bleeding stops. Note how long the tourniquet is in place so emergency medical personnel will know. Don't leave the tourniquet on longer than 20 minutes. FOR WOUND CARE WITHOUT BRISK BLEEDING:
Clean the wound carefully with soap and water.
The wound will be cleaned again and sutured in the doctor's office or an emergency medical facility, usually under local anesthesia.
CONTINUING CARE
Keep the wound covered with a bandage and moderate compression for 2 days to help prevent fluid collection under the sutures.
If the bandage gets wet, replace it and apply non-prescription antibiotic ointment.
If bleeding occurs after suturing, control it by applying firm pressure to the wound with a facial tissue or clean cloth. Hold the pressure for 10 minutes.
Prevent tetanus by getting a booster dose of tetanus toxoid or human antitetanic serum.
Protect a laceration with extra padding during contact sports until it heals.
MEDICATION
For minor discomfort, you may use non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen. Don't use aspirin. It makes bleeding more likely.
Your doctor may prescribe:
Antibiotics to fight infection.
Stronger pain medicine if needed.
ACTIVITYResume your normal activities gradually after treatment.
DIETDuring recovery from serious lacerations, eat a well-balanced diet that includes extra protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk and eggs. Increase fiber and fluid intake to prevent constipation that may result from decreased activity.
REHABILITATIONNone.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
You have a lacerated wound.
You develop signs of a wound infection (fever, headache, or increasing pain, redness and fluid with pus at the laceration site).
A healed laceration leaves a scar and you would like to consider cosmetic surgery.
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