Stitches or not?Cut on finger?

Question

Ok,I am a mom-I usually can handle everything ,but I am super stressed right now so help me out please. My 17 year old son cut his finger yesterday while using a knife.I washed the wound,cleaned it and bandaged it with gauze and tape.The cut was bleeding pretty bad,but once we got it wrapped it did not seep.The cut is about half and inch long,maybe a little smaller.I could not see bone.It was sort of like a flap,but not as bad.I cleaned it again this morning and the bleeding had stopped,in fact it had dried to the bandage.So I cleaned it gently ,put an antiseptic on there and re wrapped it.I personally don't think stitches are required but would like some other opinions.I have been blessed that my kids have never needed stitches before,so I am not sure if this would need them.Thanks

cat lady · Accepted Answer

Its generally to late for stitches.  Yes "flap" cuts like you describe take awhile to heal and fingers have alot of blood supply.Just make sure to keep it clean, watch for signs of infection like  increased redness, swelling increase pain (pain is normal in a finger since we use them all the time).  Continue with the antiseptic (triple antibiotic cream is best) and keep it covered until it is no longer "open".  He should be fine in a few days.  Good luck!

Anonymous · Answer

Finger Cut Stitches

Painthorse48 · Answer

Even if he did need them, the skin in the "flap" is most likely already dead or too damaged to rebind with the other healthy skin. Therefore, stitches would be futile at this point. Just do your best to keep the bandages clean, the wound itself sterilized (try hydrogen peroxide and pat dry), and do not move the affected finger as it will tear the tissue that is already repairing itself. Just to be safe, I would slap some Neosporin lightly over it as well, just to be sure the finger doesn't get infected - which is a real problem. I wish the best of luck to your son :)

? · Answer

Doesn't sound too serious. I sincerely doubt it would need stitches.
If you are concerned about the loose skin a small spot of superglue will hold it in place till it starts healing. Just don't get it wet for 24 hours after putting the superglue on. (superglue may sound weird but it is fairly well proven. Surfers carry it a lot to hold gashes together. My young son cut his a little deeply when he ran into the edge of a car door a little while ago and the doctor fixed it with superglue.)

? · Answer

if you could see bone go to an emergecy department or walk in clinic. You never want to take a chance of bone infection. make your decision quick after the cut starts healing you only have about a 24 hr window where a dr. can effectively stitch it.

Fernandina · Answer

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Stitches or not?Cut on finger?
Ok,I am a mom-I usually can handle everything ,but I am super stressed right now so help me out please. My 17 year old son cut his finger yesterday while using a knife.I washed the wound,cleaned it and bandaged it with gauze and tape.The cut was bleeding pretty bad,but once we got it wrapped it did...

Anonymous · Answer

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you can get a butterfly bandage and use that, also they are known to use superglue (really!!!) to glue together the wound. it might sting a bit, but it will hold the skin together, you might want to get a friend to help.. just make sure its REALLY CLEAN. lots of hyrogen peroxide on it.. by now, you are prob right, it might be too late for stitches, good luck. you can probably get by with out them if you don't have ins and don't want to pay a ton of money for a hosp visit. ---------------------- wow, after reading the advice from others, yeah, maybe you should go to the doc.. but another alternative is perhaps go to the nearest fire station- they have paramedics who might be able to give you advice... if they aren't busy.

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Stitches or not?Cut on finger?

7 Answers