For some wounds, it’s a better idea to not close the wound, but to let it heal naturally. This is known as “healing by secondary intention,” meaning the wound will heal from the bottom to the outer epidermis. In these cases, the wound will be packed with gauze rather than closed with sutures. This can be necessary in some cases where there is a serious risk of infection and the formation of abscesses.
For more involved wounds, Dr. Zakhary may need to prescribe a round of antibiotics or penicillin to ward off possible infection. Pain medication is also possible. If the wound is overly complex, it may require surgery.
If the wound involves the loss of a body part, you need to bring that part with you to the emergency room at the hospital for possible reattachment.