Cuts: Check Your Symptoms
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When to See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:Do you have a deep cut?
See significance of a deep cut if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
| Note: | Most deep cuts need to be evaluated by a health professional and should be stitched, stapled, or closed with skin adhesives within 6 to 8 hours after the injury. Some cuts that require closure can be closed as long as 24 hours after the injury. For more information, see are stitches, staples, or skin adhesives necessary? |
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Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
Do you have a deep cut on the face, neck, chest, or belly?
Are muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bones visible?
Do you have a deep cut over a joint?
| Note: | This is especially important if the cut opens with movement of the joint and if fat, muscle, bone, ligament, or joint structures are visible. |
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Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
- Yes
Do you have a deep cut on another area of the body?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
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| Last updated: | June 30, 2006 |
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| Author: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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