HEALTH & WELLNESS ||| "How do you know if a wound requires stitches?"

[Question] ||| "How do you know if a wound requires stitches?"

[Answer] ||| "A laceration is the medical term for a cut that results from an injury.  The goals of any wound care is four-fold to include stopping bleeding, preventing infection, preserving function and restoring appearance. 

Many lacerations can be managed at home by first cleaning with warm water and an antibacterial soap followed by direct pressure to the wound if needed to stop the bleeding. 

Cleaning the wound with products such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol is generally not recommended.  You typically do not need to see the doctor if the laceration does not involve the full thickness of the skin. 

Most minor lacerations have minimal bleeding, minimal pain and no numbness/tingling at or beyond the site of the wound.  If you experience excessive bleeding/pain or numbness/tingling the wound may need to be evaluated by a physician and closed with sutures (stitches).

 If you can see any bones or tendons these wounds will definitely need evaluation by a physician.  It is best to promptly treat those wound that might need sutures, as it may not be possible to close a wound if it is too old.  If there is uncertainty if a wound may need sutures it would be advised to have this evaluated by one of our physicians at urgent care.  Our experienced physicians are able to treatment most wounds that require sutures and we are able to coordinate specialty care if needed."

[ABOUT THE EXPERT] ||| Dr. Rick Swearingen, O.D. --  CHW Urgent Care Ahwatukee

Dr. Rick Swearingen, O.D., Medical Director at Catholic Healthcare West Urgent Care Ahwatukee. Is board certified in family practice and has been active in clinical practice for more than 20 years and urgent care work for more than a decade. Dr. Swearingin received a B.S. in Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and received his medical degree from the College of Osteopathic Medicine from Oklahoma State University in 1986.

ADDRESS: CHW Urgent Care Ahwatukee
                4545 E. Chandler Blvd.
                (SW corner of 46th Street and Chandler)

LOCAL PHONE: (480) 728-4000
ONLINE: http://www.chandlerregional.org/Medical_Services/CHW_Urgent_Care_Centers/053231

 [operating hours, lab and radiology details, and other information is available by clicking the link above]

[NOTE] ||| The Ahwatukee Foothills News and ahwatukee.com present "Ask the Ahwatukee Area Expert" as a promotional featured intended to serve both our readers and our loyal network of advertisers, through the assistance of the local business community. "Answers" and other information presented by the "experts" are those of the contributor, and do not represent the views or opinions of the Ahwatukee Foothills News (including ahwatukee.com) or its editorial staff.