Laceration Repair Specialist
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Jaggers C. Keene, MD
Primary Care & Family Practice located in Largo, FL
A deep laceration, or cut, needs medical care. Primary care physician Jaggers Keene, MD, provides skilled laceration repair in Largo, Florida. He can determine if you need stitches to heal the wound or antibiotics to prevent infection. Prompt treatment can also help minimize scarring. Call the Jaggers C. Keene, MD, office today for an appointment, or use the website to schedule a visit online.
Laceration Repair Q & A
Why are lacerations concerning?
A laceration is a clinical term for a cut in the skin. Severe lacerations are caused by sharp objects and blunt trauma. Unlike a scrape or abrasion, no skin is missing in an abrasion.
A laceration that requires treatment often penetrates beneath the most superficial layers of your skin and reaches soft tissue like tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Deep lacerations can even reach the bone.
Because severe lacerations can easily become infected, it’s important to seek medical care right away.
How do I take care of a laceration at home?
Even if you plan on coming into the office of Jaggers Keene, MD, take basic first aid steps to care for your wound as soon as possible. Use gauze or a cloth to apply gentle pressure to a wound that’s bleeding heavily.
Once the bleeding stops, clean the laceration with alcohol or clear water. If debris is embedded in the wound, don’t attempt to remove it. Dr. Keene can help with the thorough cleaning of the site. Make sure you bandage the cut after it’s cleaned.
When should I seek medical care for laceration repair?
You should seek medical care for a laceration if:
- You can’t control the bleeding
- It seems especially deep
- There is debris embedded
- The cut was made with a dirty or rusty object
You should also seek care for your laceration if it starts to feel warm to the touch, gets red, or oozes pus. These symptoms may appear a few days after your wound and indicate that it’s infected.
How do I know if I need stitches?
Not all lacerations need stitches, but it’s best to consult with Dr. Keene if you are unsure. Stitches are typically required if a laceration:
- Looks very deep
- Is more than a half-inch long
- Has ragged edges
- Opens so wide you can’t pull the edges together
- Has debris
- Bleeds heavily for longer than 5-10 minutes
Stitches help a wound heal, deters infection, and reduces scarring.
Get the laceration repair you need at the office of Jaggers Keene, MD. Call today to make your appointment or reach out via the website.
