[Sca-cooks] Back to safety

[a5foil]

If in doubt, check with a doctor.

In general, the following kinds of cuts are likely to need stitches, and
should be evaluated by a doctor or nurse:
- Deep cuts (i.e., more than about a quarter inch deep) that have torn or
jagged edges, or that gape open.
- Any cut where you can see underlying fat, muscle, bone, etc.
- Cuts over a joint, if flexing the joint causes the edges of the cut to
pull apart, or if, when you pull the edges of the cut apart, you can see
underlying fat, muscle, bone, cartilage, etc.
- Cuts on the hands, fingers, and eyelids, may need stitches for functional
and cosmetic purposes.
- Cuts where scarring would be a concern (i.e., cosmetic).
- Long cuts (i.e., more than about three-quarters of an inch long) that are
deeper than an eighth of an inch may need stitches.
- Cuts that continue to bleed after more than about 10-15 minutes of direct
pressure.
- Puncture wounds that damage underlying tendons, ligaments, or other
structures. (All puncture wounds should be checked, but some may not require
stitches if stitches would not improve the cosmetic appearance, or would
increase the likelihood of infection, or would impair drainage and healing.
A doctor should make that assessment.)

The following kinds of cuts are not as likely to need stitches, but you may
still want them to be evaluated by a doctor or nurse:
- Cuts with smooth edges that stay together when the injured part moves
normally.
- Cuts that are shallow (i.e., less than an eighth of an inch), and short
(i.e., less than three quarters of an inch long).

Thomas