Almost everyone gets a cut sometimes. You may have injured yourself, possibly while cooking or playing. Most cuts are small and heal quickly. You clean them and put a bandage on.
But not all cuts are safe to treat at home. A few cuts can become worse and need a doctor. If you don’t get help, the cut can get infected and cause more problems.
Knowing when you should see a doctor for a small cut can save you from bigger problems later. We also treat cuts and injuries in Medicross Clinic and Urgent Care. Our staff cleans injuries, provides stitches, and looks for infections.
Let’s discuss when it is acceptable to manage a cut at home and when it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Why Small Cuts Can Be a Problem
Your skin is a wall against germs. When you get a cut, that wall has a hole. Germs can get inside your body through that hole.
Most cuts close up and heal. However, when germs enter, the cut may become infected. This is the reason you must be careful with your cuts.
When Should You Absolutely See a Doctor for a Small Cut?
You don’t always need a doctor for a cut. But sometimes, you do. Go to the doctor if:
- The Bleeding Won’t Stop
If you apply pressure with a neat cloth for 10 minutes and it still leaks, it’s time to reach out for help. Cuts that are still bleeding might need closure or focused care.
- The Cut Looks Deep
If the wound is wide or you can see layers under the skin, you should not try to handle it at home.
At Medicross Clinic and Urgent Care, our doctors can clean and close deep cuts to lower the risk of infection and help them heal correctly.
- Signs of Infection Appear
A healing cut should look better each day. If it looks worse, you need medical care. Warning signs include:
- Redness spreading around the wound
- Swelling and warmth
- Pus or bad odor
- Fever or chills
At Medicross Clinic and Urgent Care, our urgent care team provides quick treatment to stop infections before they get worse.
- The Cut Came from Rusty or Dirty Objects
Rusty nails, dirty tools, or animal bites can cause bacteria or viruses that cause serious diseases.
At Medicross Clinic and Urgent Care, our medical staff can prescribe a tetanus vaccine or antibiotics to ensure your health is safe.
- The Cut Is on Your Face, Hand, or Near a Joint
Lacerations in the areas usually require stitching to heal and minimize scarring.
At Medicross Clinic and Urgent Care, our clinic can ensure that the wound is closed and brings a lower possibility of long-term issues.
- You Have Health Conditions That Slow Healing
A simple cut may turn into a large complication, particularly when you are already diabetic, have some circulation problems, or have a fragile immune system.
Our doctors at Medicross Clinic and Urgent Care take special care of patients with ailments that hamper the process of healing.
What Happens If You Ignore a Cut?
Some people think, “It’s just a little scratch.” But ignoring a cut can cause:
- Under-skinned infections.
- Painful pus (abscesses).
- Bigger scars.
- Severe disease occurs if germs are distributed in the blood.
A small cut can become a big problem if not treated.
How Our Team Treats Cuts
At Medicross Clinic and Urgent Care, our medical team treats cuts with the care they deserve. When you come in, we can:
- Clean the wound.
- Close it with stitches, glue, or strips.
- Give tetanus shots if needed.
- Prescribe medicine for infections.
- Check for deeper damage to nerves or tendons.
- Show you how to care for the wound at home.
Our doctors and nurses also look at your overall health. We give you special care to ensure that the cut heals safely in case of a condition such as diabetes, which influences the healing process.
And in case you cannot even be sure that your cut requires immediate treatment, you can always consult our telemedicine service and talk to the doctor beforehand.
How to Care for Small Cuts at Home
Not all cuts need a doctor. But all cuts need care. Here’s what you can do:
- Wash your hands.
- Rinse the cut with clean water and soap.
- Press with a clean cloth to stop bleeding.
- Cover the cut with a bandage.
- Change the bandage every day or when it gets dirty.
- Watch for redness or swelling.
If the cut doesn’t look better in a few days, visit Medicross Clinic and Urgent Care.
Everyday Accidents, Everyday Care
Accidents happen. Kids scrape their knees. Adults cut themselves while cooking. Workers get small injuries at their jobs.
Most cuts are easy to treat at home. But some cuts need a doctor’s care. At Medicross Clinic and Urgent Care, we treat cuts along with many other health needs. We also do check-ups, lab tests, physicals, and urgent care visits.
Our team cares about your health. We want you to feel safe, heal well, and stay healthy.
Final Thoughts
A small cut may not look scary, but it can still be dangerous. If the cut is bleeding a lot, is deep, looks infected, or came from something dirty, it is time to see a doctor.
At Medicross Clinic and Urgent Care, our team is ready to help you heal safely. From quick urgent care visits to full primary care support, we are here to keep you and your family healthy.
Call us at 951-272-5900 or schedule an appointment.
FAQs
Can a cut cause nerve damage?
Yes, when it is a deep cut that involves nerves. A numbness or tingling around the wound is a symptom that should cause you to pay a visit to the doctor.
What if my cut starts to swell or ooze?
These are signs of infection. Visit our urgent care facility to have a doctor clean the wound and prescribe medicine, should it be necessary.
When should I get a tetanus shot for a cut?
You should require one if you cut yourself with rusted or dirty tools unless you have had a tetanus injection within the last 5 years. At Medicross Clinic and Urgent Care, our clinic can provide it during your visit.