Cuts and Lacerations: What They Are and How They Are Treated

Cuts and lacerations are common injuries that land many people in our Emergency room in Houston, TX. This is because nearly everything we do, like cooking dinner, playing, fixing a broken door, etc., puts us at risk of being cut by a sharp object. In fact, cuts and lacerations are prevalent in workplace injuries. Close to 30 percent of workplace injuries are due to cuts and lacerations.

Do not fret though, most of these injuries are not severe and can be managed at our Houston Emergency clinic. However, proper management of the wounds is essential to ensure that you do not get an infection, suffer through too much pain, or end up with very visible scars.

For this reason, coming to visit us at our emergency center in Houston is a wise decision, especially if you want to minimize the risks.

Fast Facts About Cuts and Lacerations

Generally, a cut is a condition characterized by a wound that breaks the skin, which typically arises because of trauma from a sharp object. Cuts are different from other forms of skin wounds like abrasions, which are caused by scraping or friction.

Lacerations are similar to cuts in that they are caused by sharp objects such as knives breaking or tearing the skin. The only difference is that lacerations refer to a wound that is jagged or torn.

You might have heard the term gash used when describing a cut or a wound. It’s a dramatic term used to describe a deeper or longer cut. On the other hand, an avulsion occurs when some of your tissue has been severed from the body.

In most cases, lacerations and cuts are not life-threatening; however, they must be stitched and appropriately dressed to prevent infection, fasten healing, and minimize scarring.

What Are the Signs of Cuts and Lacerations?

Typically, most lacerations and cuts are easy to spot visually. Other symptoms may include:

• Bleeding
• Skin discoloration
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Pain ranges from mild to severe depending on the injury

However, if you have a severe cut or laceration, going to an emergency room near you is the smartest choice. If you notice any of the following symptoms, call our doctor right away:

• Lacerations or cuts to the eye
• Bleeding incessantly
• Signs of shock, such as rapid breathing, weak pulse, or clammy skin
• Partially severed toes or fingers
• Bleeding from the wound