Laceration injuries can be scary if the injury is severe or if you’re unfamiliar with first aid. Lacerations are cuts that tear the skin. They can be severe or minor depending on the mechanism of injury and the depth of the cut. Rest assured, most lacerations are minor and can be repaired with stitches placed in an urgent care or ER setting. Here’s what to do before you arrive at the medical facility if you are experiencing cuts, lacerations, or need stitches in San Diego:
- Recognize when to call 911 or immediately go to the hospital. If the laceration is severely bleeding or if the bleeding can’t be controlled with firm pressure, you should seek immediate care.
- For minor and non-life threatening lacerations, the first step is to apply firm pressure with a clean gauze or cloth to stop the bleeding.
- Once bleeding has been controlled, gently clean the wound with tap water, a clean cloth, and mild soap to remove dirt and debris.
- If bleeding is controlled and the wound is clean, apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment like Neosporin and cover the wound with a Band-Aid, bandage, gauze, or clean cloth.
- If the wound is deep, wide, jagged, or located in an area of the skin that is subjected to movement or tension, it may require sutures to repair.
- For minor lacerations, call your doctor or head to your local urgent care to see if you need sutures. For severe lacerations, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
We are conveniently located in the heart of La Jolla Village! 858-255-8325
Treatment for Cuts, Lacerations, & Stitches San Diego
Once you arrive at the medical facility, you will be examined by a medical professional who will determine if you need sutures and provide you with after care instructions. At Urgent Care La Jolla, laceration patients are usually seen immediately by Dr. Peter Mann, a licensed emergency medicine physician with over two decades of experience in treating injuries and illnesses. If Dr. Mann determines you need sutures, you will be take to our accredited operating and procedure room to have your laceration disinfected and prepped. A small injection of local anesthetic will be given to reduce pain from the procedure. Next, Dr. Mann and his medical assistants will expertly repair the laceration, bandage it, and provide you with instructions on how to care for the wound and when to have the sutures removed — generally within 14 days. Suture removal can be done at almost any medical facility and generally takes just a few minutes.
If you have a minor laceration, don’t hesitate to walk-in or call Urgent Care La Jolla at (858) 255-8325. You will be seen immediately by Dr. Peter Mann and his kind staff, right in your neighborhood.
What Kind of Doctors or Surgeons Treat Cuts, Lacerations, and Stitches?
Lacerations and cuts can be treated by several different types of medical professionals depending on depth, size, and severity of the wound. The most common physicians who treat cuts and lacerations are MDs (medical doctors) or DOs (doctor of osteopathic medicine), often certified in emergency medicine, family medicine, or internal medicine. Dr. Peter Mann has training in both Emergency Medicine and General Surgery, making him equipped to treat various cuts and lacerations. Other medical professionals that are able to treat minor to moderate wounds include nurse practitioners and physician assistants For more severe lacerations, such as those with heavy bleeding and nerve damage, an ER physician or general surgeon may be necessary. Urgent Care Physicians and Surgeons will determine the severity of the wound and determine the necessary treatment steps which may include wound cleaning, suturing, dressing/bandaging, infection control, and tetanus immunizations. If you have a minor cut or laceration that may need stitches, feel free to walk in or call us at (858) 255-8325 to schedule an appointment.
Urgent care physicians are able to treat abrasions, deep cuts requiring stitches, puncture wounds as well as offering post-surgical wound checks and suture removal. Proper, timely treatment reduces the risk of infection, scarring, and further complications. Being close to the ocean and located in an active community, Urgent Care La Jolla treats many forms of lacerations and abrasions including:
- Simple lacerations that may need stitches, staples, or skin adhesive - Many coming from rocks or tide pools in La Jolla Shores
- Lacerations from falls
- Kitchen knife cuts
- Road rash
- Animal scratches/minor bites
- Tool-related cuts
- Cuts from broken glass
- Sports-related cuts
- Scalp lacerations
- Skin splits from falling
- Puncture wounds
- Paper cuts that won’t stop bleeding
- Minor face lacerations
- Work-related injuries
- Skin Avulsions- Skin torn away from the body
- Cuts that are dirty with debris like earth, leaves or gravel
- Cuts showing signs of infection: swelling, redness, or fluid leaking
If you have a minor laceration, feel free to walk in or call Urgent Care La Jolla at (858) 255-8325. You’ll be seen promptly by Dr. Peter Mann and his friendly, experienced staff, conveniently located in La Jolla Village!