Cuts: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have swelling or bruising at or near a cut injury?

See significance of swelling or bruising if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have severe swelling or bruising?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Did a lot of swelling and bruising begin within 30 minutes of the injury and symptoms have not gone away?

Yes

Did swelling begin after a cut over a joint?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Has swelling from a cut (not over a joint) gotten worse after 24 hours of home treatment?

Yes

Have you had a moderate amount of swelling from a cut for 2 to 3 days, but it does not interfere with normal function?

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.

E-mail This | Print This Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Last updated:	June 30, 2006
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