Certain cuts need a doctor's care. If your cut won't stop bleeding, or gapes open, or if the general area is numb or stiff, you need help. Difficulty in moving a cut finger, for example, could mean you've done damage to a muscle, tendon, or ligament. You may need stitches if the cut is longer than a third of an inch, says Dr. Ciccone. Other kinds of cuts that may have been seriously contaminated, such as puncture wounds that are deeper than they are wide, or animal and human bites, need immediate medical attention.
Cuts are a potential source of tetanus infection.
Tetanus, or lockjaw, can be fatal. It is rare these days, Dr. Hails says, because inoculation is so common. The threat of tetanus is almost always present, from wounds caused not only by rusty nails but also from common household items, such as kitchen knives. When treating cuts, it's better to be safe than sorry. All rights reserved.