Families First Health in Yuba City offers an Urgent Care Medication and Facilities to cuts and lacerations too.
Here are some basic first aid steps:
Press on the wound to stop the bleeding.
Seek medical attention if the bleeding is heavy or does not stop quickly.
Clean the wound, no matter how small it is. Cleaning will reduce any chance of infection. Tap water and antiseptic may damage skin tissue and delay healing. Use Soap and water.
After cleaning, cover the wound with a sterile, non-sticky dressing.
How do I know if I need medical attention?
Many people deal with minor cuts by themselves; the following gives a guide as to when to consider getting medical help.
Ideally, a doctor or nurse should clean wounds that are large, deep, or dirty, and abrasions caused by gravel. There is a risk of infection, and also a risk of permanent tattooing of the skin from gravel, dirt, grit, etc, which remain in a wound.
Wounds longer than 2 inches or which involve deeper tissues than the skin may need stitches.
If part of the wound has dead or damaged skin then this may need to be trimmed or removed to prevent infection.
If you suspect the cut has damaged deeper tissues such as nerves, tendons, or joints.
Wounds caused by penetrating glass, metal, etc, may need to be carefully examined and may need an X-ray to check that there is nothing left inside.
Gaping wounds should be closed with stitches, glue, or sticky tape. Even small gaping wounds on the face are best dealt with by a doctor to keep scarring to a minimum. Most wounds are closed straight away. However, a doctor may advise waiting for a few days before closing certain wounds. If the wound is more than six hours old, if it is infected, or if it is at high risk of becoming infected, such as a wound contaminated with manure. This delayed closure aims to make sure the wound is not infected before closing it up.
You should have a tetanus booster if you are not up to date with your tetanus shot.