Knife Cut, How To Know If It Need Stitches?

[barefoot1988]

just had a knife cut while washing. its a side cut, from the side of my thumb all the way towards the nail area. look like this

it cuts all the way to the nail area, but not as deep as i have slender fingers, about 5mm-1cm deep.

it bleeds for about 15mins, but now it seems all closed up and fine, doubt need any stitches, but the whole tip area of my thumb is really numb now, is this normal?

[JamieP]

I would say that if you need to ask the question, you should go and see a doctor.......

[BuffaloRescue]

If it stopped bleeding doesnt need stitches. But if you are worried about how the scar might look better go and get it stitched up.

[Soutpeel]

I would say if the wound has "closed" you dont need stitches....but you need to watch out for infection....best solution...go see a Dr

[BuffaloRescue]

Yeah you need at least 10 different types of pills for that

[chrisinth]

If the tip of your thumb stays numb, then I would go and see a doctor or the emergency room of a hospital. Lot of nerve receptors on the thumb, but nothing much to worry about. If the cut has come together and isn't that deep then you probably don't need a stitch.

[mauGR1]

If the tip of your thumb stays numb, then I would go and see a doctor or the emergency room of a hospital. Lot of nerve receptors on the thumb, but nothing much to worry about. If the cut has come together and isn't that deep then you probably don't need a stitch.

I would not bother to see a doctor for that..The nerve receptors will re-grow but not so quickly, maybe your thumb will be numb for few weeks, or maybe more.. That's normal.

I would only worry about a possible infection, but if you are generally in good health conditions, and you clean the wound very well, it will be ok.

Like someone said, stitches can make the scar less visible, if you worry for the scar go for the stitches.

[barefoot1988]

If the tip of your thumb stays numb, then I would go and see a doctor or the emergency room of a hospital. Lot of nerve receptors on the thumb, but nothing much to worry about. If the cut has come together and isn't that deep then you probably don't need a stitch.

I would not bother to see a doctor for that..The nerve receptors will re-grow but not so quickly, maybe your thumb will be numb for few weeks, or maybe more.. That's normal.

I would only worry about a possible infection, but if you are generally in good health conditions, and you clean the wound very well, it will be ok.

Like someone said, stitches can make the scar less visible, if you worry for the scar go for the stitches.

thanks! i was worried about the numbness but i guess it all normal.

[mauGR1]

If the tip of your thumb stays numb, then I would go and see a doctor or the emergency room of a hospital. Lot of nerve receptors on the thumb, but nothing much to worry about. If the cut has come together and isn't that deep then you probably don't need a stitch.

I would not bother to see a doctor for that..The nerve receptors will re-grow but not so quickly, maybe your thumb will be numb for few weeks, or maybe more.. That's normal.

I would only worry about a possible infection, but if you are generally in good health conditions, and you clean the wound very well, it will be ok.

Like someone said, stitches can make the scar less visible, if you worry for the scar go for the stitches.

thanks! i was worried about the numbness but i guess it all normal.

Yep, when i had my knee operation, the area around the cut was totally numb..Some doctor told me the average growth speed of the nerves, which i can't remember, but something in the order of 1/2 millimeters per year..It took years for the numbness to disappear, gradually..Of course it depends a lot on the depth of the cut..

[tutsiwarrior]

a clean wound is very important as it can 'heal over' and still be dirty inside...I'd say see a medic and have the wound thoroughly cleaned as there's all kinds of nasty bacteria in a kitchen environment...

I got a bad foot wound some years ago and it looked cleared and healed and then later inside it started to itch badly...it had to then be lanced (totally opened up again) and cleaned and I never thought that the associated pain could ever exist...better safe than sorry...

[meom]

It doesn't look to bad.

Just dip it in a glass of lao kao, swallow the remainder and you'll be ok.

[phuturatica]

Keep it clean and watch it for infection. If you see it getting manky in the slightest, see a doctor. I would clean it with iodine every few hours, keep a plaster on it when you're using your hands (eating, washing etc) and then let some air get to it in the evening when sleeping.