Every day, human beings engage in activities that can cause physical harm. Even something as simple as slicing a banana could lead to a cut that requires stitches.
How do you know if a wound requires a doctor's attention or not?
The team of experts at Advanced Vascular Solutions in Sebastian, Florida describes the signs that show your wound requires medical attention below.
Large wounds usually require professional medical attention. If you're not sure what a "large" wound is, a general rule of thumb is: If the wound is at least three-quarters of an inch long or a half-inch deep, it needs to be examined and treated by a medical professional. Usually, stitches and staples are used to treat large wounds.
But small wounds shouldn’t be overlooked, as some smaller wounds still require medical attention — they can become infected.
When a wound starts to bleed, apply firm and continuous pressure, so the blood clots and bleeding ceases. The size of the wound and other factors collectively determine how long it'll be before clotting stops the bleeding.
Generally speaking, a wound should stop bleeding after 5 to 10 minutes of pressure being applied to it continuously. If this doesn't happen, you should have the wound looked at by the experienced team at Advanced Vascular Solutions.
Once a wound becomes infected, an individual's immune system will kick into gear and fight the infection. If you experience any of the following signs that your body is fighting an infection, schedule an appointment with us:
Since infections can be severe and sometimes even fatal, it's best to consult the medical professionals at Advanced Vascular Solutions if you believe your wound has become infected.
Typically a wound hurts the most immediately after it manifests. That said, how long the pain lasts depends in part on the nature of the wound. If you have a minor wound that still hurts days after you received it — or it hurts more — it's wise to schedule an appointment, as your body may be struggling with healing the wound.
Call Advanced Vascular Solutions or complete our online form to schedule a wound evaluation. Our wound care specialist will thoroughly examine your wound, treat it, and recommend steps following the visit, so your wound heals properly.
