Lacerations

When toget medical help

Call NHS 111 or visit your local walk-in centre , minorinjuries unit or GP surgery ifthere's a riskyour wound could becomeinfected, or you think it'salready infected.

Awound is atrisk of infectionif:

it has been contaminated with dirt, pus or other bodily fluids
there was something in the wound before it was cleaned, such as gravel or a shard of glass
ithas a jagged edge
it's longer than 5cm (2 inches)
it was caused by an animal or human bite

Signs a wound has become infected include:

swelling, redness and increasingpain in the affected area
pus forming in or aroundthe wound
feeling generally unwell
a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
swollen glands under the chin or in the neck, armpits or groin

An infected wound can usually be successfully treated with a short course of antibiotics .

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Articles for lacerations

Introduction

Cuts and grazes are common and can usually be treated at home. Read about how to treat them and when you should seek medical advice.

How to treat cuts and grazes

Stop the bleeding Stopany bleeding before applying a dressing to the wound. Apply pressure to the area using a clean and dry absorbent material such as a bandage, towel or handkerchief for several mi

When toget medical help

Call NHS 111 or visit your local walk-in centre , minorinjuries unit or GP surgery ifthere's a riskyour wound could becomeinfected, or you think it'salready infected. Awound is atrisk of infectioni

When to go toA&E

Go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department as soon as possible if: you cannot stop the bleeding you're bleeding from an artery blood from an artery comes out in spurts with eac

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