Stitches 101: How To Know When A Boo-boo Needs 911

If you haven’t heard, Ellen has her M.D.. She pretty much uses it for everything . . . except making money.

Erin: And if you haven’t heard, you’re pretty darn unobservant because people are constantly asking her questions. Con-stant-ly.

Ellen: And these questions usually require expert decision making skills. Like should I continue making watermelon salsa WHILE examining the grubby foot thrust into my face because the owner of said foot is convinced the toe is broken?

Erin: I am praying the answer is “No” because I’m pretty sure I gorged myself on that dip and it was the best I ever had.

Ellen: Yes, due to my extensive training in Shock Trauma, I was able to triage.

  1. Chop the cilantro
  2. Toss the watermelon with the lime
  3. Examine the foot about 25 miles away from the kitchen counter
  4. Bleach my hands

Erin: You definitely don’t want to confuse the toes with the cilantro, but let’s give your funny bone a rest for a minute. You have some mad skills.

Ellen: I do maintain that I quit. I wasn’t fired.

Erin:  But seriously, you saved the day when my niece clunked her head on the vicious edge of that metal step on our annual Big Love camping trip.

One minute you were looking all sexy getting ready to canoe.

Dr.Ellen One Minute Earlier

The next minute, you were in full on doctor mode.

Dr. Ellen

Ellen: It was really nothing. The key is to patiently hold pressure for about the time it takes to read through the New York City phone book.

Erin: Where did you find that metaphor? In a card catalog? Who the heck has a phone book anymore?

Ellen: Okay, I’ll give you that one. Then how about holding pressure forever and a day without peeking? Or for about fifteen minutes. Whichever comes first.

Erin: The no peeking is the hardest part, but it’s more than that. It is just so comforting to have someone KNOW when to go to the ER.

Ellen: Well, I’m just glad your niece checked out okay. But you know what? I’m going to use this opportunity to reveal the mystery of when to get sutures. You know, so your husband can stop calling me.

Erin: That day was surreal. When Steve sliced his finger, did he call me? Call our doctor? Go to the medical aid unit? Nooooo. He called Ellen.

Ellen: And the best part? He had a block on his phone from his employer so he couldn’t send me a picture of it. All medical decisions were based on Steve’s description. So listen up Interwebz! Here’s when to take that gash to a medical professional.

Stitches 101 How To Know When A Boo-Boo Needs 911

Drumroll please:

Get thineself or the one you love to get some stitches if . . .

  • The wound will not stop bleeding
  • It is deeper than ¼ inch
  • The edges are ragged
  • The wound is gaping

Additionally, seek medical attention if . . .

  • The wound  is a puncture deeper than ¼ inch
  • The injury resulted from a rusty or very dirty object
  • All of the debris can’t be removed
  • The wound is on the face or neck
  • There was a blow to the head or any loss of consciousness
  • The wound is an animal or human bite
  • Date of last tetanus shot is unknown
  • You have a history of MRSA
  • Signs of infection develop such as redness and pus

So you’ve lucked out and sutures aren’t needed. Here is how to properly get your wound care on . . .

  • To stop bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage for at least 15 minutes. (Maxi pads are excellent for this, by the way.) This will seem like FOREVER, but don’t lift the compress! You’ll really need to time yourself to hold pressure long enough. Trust me. If possible, raise the body part above the level of the heart to slow bleeding. Never apply a tourniquet unless advised by a medical professional..
  • Rinse wound thoroughly with clean water or saline solution to remove dirt and debris. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol because they are damaging to cells and may increase scarring.
  • Clean area around the wound area with soap and water on a washcloth. Avoid getting soap in wound. Pat dry with a clean cloth.
  • Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment and cover with a clean dressing. Keep the wound covered while healing. Contrary to popular belief, letting a cut “air out” does not promote healing and may increase scarring.

Erin: Remember to always carry a first aid kit in your car or bag. I have been the hero on more than one occasion by whipping out my super duper kit o’health.

Ellen: Except for the time when your suitcase of a kit was without one. single. band-aid.

Erin: Whatever. You can teach by showing others what not to do also.

Ellen: Well that is a positive way to look at a negative. Impressive.

 

Be Safe Out There Friends!

-Ellen and Erin

*No portion of this article is intended to replace the advice of your medical professional. It is always a good idea to check with your doctor.

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21 thoughts on “Stitches 101: How To Know When A Boo-boo Needs 911

  1. Kathy Radigan

    What a great, dare I say, sensible, primer for what to do when you see blood! I never knew that you weren’t supposed to put alcohol or peroxide on a wound, thanks, now I know!! Thanks for a great and helpful post!
    Kathy Radigan recently posted..Only YesterdayMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Jean

    This was really helpful. I’ve been to the ER twice for my son thinking he was going to bleed out and the doctor told me it was what amounted to a scratch. Do you have any advice for when your child gets hurt, you’re 8 months pregnant and have to drive him to the ER alone while he’s strapped in the backseat sobbing? 🙂 Thank you.
    Jean recently posted..The HerStories Project: Even At 2 a.m.My Profile

    Reply
    1. The Sisterhood Post author

      I keep peroxide around to get blood stains out of CLOTHES and alcohol is more of a surface disinfectant used to wipe the skin down before an injection or some similar thing.

      I hear Sponge Bob and Hello Kitty have the best healing properties. 🙂 Ellen

      Reply
  3. Kim P

    Just the other day I fell over my dog in the drive way.
    My right leg is scraped from the knee down almost to my ankle. I used alcohol to wipe it down and a wet paper towel to try to wash the stones out from under the skin. Since I didn’t have a clue about not using alcohol, I know that I messed up my self treatment already.
    I also managed to land on both wrists. You know that little ball on the outside bottom of your hand? That’s what seems to have hit the ground the hardest. Now I have bruises that range from the bottoms of my fingers to half way up to my elbows and both hands are swollen like balloons. It’s not pretty. I’ve determined that since I can actually move my hands and somewhat make a fist that they are just badly sprained and not broken.
    With no insurance, cleaning that needed to be done, and despite the advice of everyone creeped out by how my hands look, I decided that I didn’t need to see a doctor.
    It’s been 4 days since I fell and I’m getting a little more mobility back each day. Now that the bruises are turning green and purple, it’s a really disgusting sight.
    What do you think? Swollen purple hands. Doctor visit worthy or no?
    Kim P recently posted..Shut the Front Door … Day 230 … Daily stuff and some furniture before and afters … Yea!My Profile

    Reply
    1. The Sisterhood Post author

      That is horrible. I know you said no insurance, but the only thing I can really recommend you do is have them looked at by a doctor. Swelling after 4 days is very worrisome. You poor thing. Ellen

      Reply
  4. Aunt Karo

    I am so proud of you and the woman that you have become. You can be my doctor anytime. Love You girl!!
    The blog that you girls have is fantastic!!! Keep it going.

    Reply
    1. The Sisterhood Post author

      Tetanus shots do hurt. Always request it be given in your non-dominant arm. 🙂 For kids, tetanus is the “T” of Tdap (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) that they receive before 12 months of age. You usually get a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster every 10 years.
      Side note for adults – there has been a rise in adult pertussis cases (whooping cough). It’s a good idea to discuss with your doctor if you should get a booster for that.

      Ellen (P.S. – MRSA sucks. Sorry. Going to add on seek medical attention if you have a history of MRSA. Thanks.)

      Reply
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